The largest engine ever put into a production car is the massive 28.1-liter (1,744 cubic inch) V12 from the 1930s French Bugatti Royale. However, in the modern era, the title for the largest engine in a currently produced passenger vehicle belongs to the 8.4-liter (505 cubic inch) V10 found in the Dodge Viper SRT (discontinued in 2017). For trucks and SUVs, the 8.0-liter V10 used in the Dodge Ram SRT-10 was a notable example.
Engine size, or displacement, is the total volume of all the cylinders in an engine, typically measured in liters (L) or cubic inches (ci). A larger displacement generally means the engine can burn more air and fuel, producing more power. The Bugatti Royale's engine was an engineering marvel for its time, designed not for outright speed but for immense, smooth torque to power a luxurious and heavy automobile. While modern engines are significantly smaller, advancements like turbocharging and hybrid systems allow them to produce far more power efficiently.
Here is a comparison of some of the largest engines ever used in production cars:
| Vehicle Model | Engine Displacement | Configuration | Peak Power (approx.) | Production Era |
|---|
| Bugatti Royale | 12.7 L (777 ci) | Straight-8 | 300 hp | 1927-1933 |
| Pierce-Arrow 66 | 13.5 L (825 ci) | V12 | 185 hp | 1910-1918 |
| Fiat 300A | 14.1 L (861 ci) | Straight-6 | 130 hp | 1912-1919 |
| Dodge Viper SRT | 8.4 L (505 ci) | V10 | 645 hp | 2013-2017 |
| Cadillac Eldorado | 8.2 L (500 ci) | V8 | 400 hp | 1970 |
| Rolls-Royce Phantom V | 6.2 L (381 ci) | V8 | 453 hp | 2017-Present |
Today, the trend is towards smaller, forced-induction engines. The massive V8s and V10s of the past are being replaced by turbocharged V6s and even high-performance four-cylinders, which offer better fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing performance.
