8 Cylinders - Koenigsegg 5.0-Liter V8
With relatively compact dimensions and the capability to produce a lot of power, V8 engines and performance cars are a natural combination. In addition to the venerable Chevrolet Corvette, vehicles like the Ferrari 488, McLaren 720S, and many other vehicles produce obscene outputs from eight-cylinder mills.
For the time being, the Koenigsegg Agera RS wears the crown as the most powerful V8 with its biturbo 5.0-liter unit that has 1,360 hp (1,014 kW).
Like the Fiesta and Fiesta ST, this victory comes with a caveat. Hennessey will soon start delivering customer units of its Venom F5 with a 7.4-liter biturbo V8 making 1600 hp (1,193 kW).
This is especially true because the Agera RS is now ending production, while the Venom F5 is just about to enter the market.
2 Cylinders - Fiat 0.9-Liter
With just less than one liter of displacement, Fiat's TwinAir turbocharged parallel twin produces an impressive 103 horsepower (77 kilowatts) in the Fiat 500.
While the figure is a winner in the automotive world, there are existing motorcycles that can do even better. For example, Ducati's 1299 Panigale R FE packs 207 hp (154 kW) from its 1,285-cc V-twin.
4 Cylinders - Mercedes-AMG 2.0-Liter
Mercedes-AMG's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes a powerful 375 hp (280 kW) in models like the CLA-, A-, and GLA-Class.
The figure is impressive but not the best ever. In 2014, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-440 MR packed 440 hp (328 kW). The company only built 50 of them for the United Kingdom, though.
3 Cylinders - Ford 1.0 EcoBoost
As of this writing, Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost with 136 hp (101 kW) is the most powerful three-cylinder you can buy.
However, this won't be the case for very long because the Fiesta ST will be available in Europe very, very soon. Its 1.5-liter three-cylinder will raise the bar even further in the Blue Oval's favor by pumping out 197 hp (147 kW).
5 Cylinders - Audi 2.5-Liter
Five-cylinder engines aren't as common as four- or six-cylinder mills, but they can still make quite a bit of power.
The 2.5-liter inline-five in the Audi RS3 Sedan and TT RS pumps out a highly potent 400 hp (298 kW).
6 Cylinders - Porsche 3.8-liter Boxer
The latest Porsche 911 GT2 RS is one of the most hardcore sports cars available today, and it features the most powerful six-cylinder mill you can buy today. The 3.8-liter biturbo features an amazing output of 690 hp (515 kW).
10 Cylinders- Lamborghini 5.2-liter V10
At the moment, Lamborghini's 5.2-liter V10 in the Huracan Performante is the top production 10-cylinder engine with a potent 630 hp (470 kW).
However, if we had made this list a year ago, then the Dodge Viper ACR would have taken the victory. Its 8.2-liter V10 beat the Lambo by producing 645 hp (481 kW).
12 Cylinders - Ferrari 6.5-liter V12
Look to the Prancing Horse if you want the world's most powerful V12. The 6.5-liter unit available in models like the 812 Superfast makes 789 hp (588 kW). It gets the grand tourer to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 2.9 seconds.
16 Cylinders - Bugatti 8.0-Liter W16
At eight liters of displacement, Bugatti's W16 is the largest engine on this list by volume, and it packs more cylinders than any other. Four turbos help the mill produce 1,479 hp (1,103 kW).
The Bugatti might not be the record holder forever, though. If it ever hits the market, the Devel Sixteen's V16 could produce 3,006 hp (2,242 kW) in daily driving configuration and over 5,000 hp (3,728 kW) in the maximum level of tune. A video proves that at least the engine of this actually exists.
Newest slideshows
13 / 13
