The 10 Most Power-Dense Engines Ever Made (2024)

In the age of electrification, the internal combustion engine may seem like it's going extinct, but there are automakers out there who refuse to give in. Thanks to legislation, engineers have been forced to think outside the box, and one of the easiest ways to get the most out of an engine is turbocharging. In extreme cases, high-end automakers will turbocharge and electrify an engine, all in the name of keeping ICE alive.

The main goal is to produce the most power-dense engine possible. Power density, or specific output, is essentially a measurement of internal combustion efficiency. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 400 horsepower is way more power-dense than a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that only produces 350-odd horses. We already know that the most power-dense engine in the world is made in America, but we thought it would be interesting to see what engines occupy second to 10th place.

Czinger 21C

The Czinger 21C is at the top of the list. It is an upcoming hybrid hypercar that debuted in 2021. Only 80 will be made, and they will cost $2 million a pop. It's one of the most innovative cars ever made, and parts of it will be 3D printed. To make its mark, it set a new lap record at Laguna Seca shortly after its debut.

In 2023, the special "Blackbird" edition of the C21 was introduced, dedicated to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft. This version of the C21 came with an all-black paint job and touches of carbon fiber for a jet-inspired look.

Not only is the C21's combustion engine one of the highest-revving in the automotive world, but it is also astonishingly efficient, getting nearly a thousand horsepower out of less than three liters. It can also operate as a fully zero-emissions powertrain; it can run on multiple types of e-fuels, such as carbon-recycled methanol and regular gasoline.

Koenigsegg Jesko

Named after Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company founder Christian, the Jesko is a successor to the Agera hypercar. It was first introduced to the world at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and sold out before the show ended. The Jesko exists in two versions: the "Attack" and "Absolut."

The Attack is the default version of the Jesko, with a host of track-oriented performance features, such as a large rear wing and a carbon fiber front splitter, that maximize the car's downforce and performance in a track setting. The Jesko Absolut is the Attack's faster sibling, and its layout is entirely geared towards achieving the highest possible top speed; two rear fins replace the rear wing, and there is no front splitter. The Absolut is also about three inches longer than the Attack due to its body having been redesigned for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and minimal drag. Koenigsegg has claimed the Absolut is capable of crossing the 300 mph barrier.

SSC Tuatara

Named after a New Zealand reptile whose main claim to fame is having the fastest molecular evolution in the animal kingdom, the Shelby Super Cars Tuatara was first introduced in 2011. At the start of 2021, the Tuatara broke the world record for the fastest production car with a two-way average top speed of 283 mph, dethroning the Koenigsegg Agera RS.

A second attempt was made the following year to get closer to the 300 mph barrier, and a speed of 295 mph was achieved. However, this was not a record breaker due to technical issues (this top speed was only recorded in one direction). A track-only, limited-edition 2,200 hp variant called the Tuatara Aggressor was revealed in 2021; only ten Aggressors were produced. Another special edition, the Striker, adds a few aerodynamic upgrades to the "standard" Tuatara while still keeping its road-legal status.

Koenigsegg Gemera

The Koenigsegg Gemera (Swedish for "to offer more") is the first four-seater car ever produced by Koenigsegg. After a tricky start due to the cancelation of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, production is set to start later this year, with the first cars being delivered to customers at the start of 2025.

Two engine choices are available: the three-cylinder, nicknamed the TFG (Tiny Friendly Giant), was the first to be announced when the Gemera made its debut. However, when Koenigsegg confirmed the car's specs in 2023, a second, more exciting option was thrown into the mix. The HV8 ("Hot V8"), borrowed from the Jesko, has a much higher displacement than the TFG, and as a result, it doesn't quite achieve the latter's very high power density. Both engines are fully compatible with a wide range of biofuels that turn the Gemera into a zero-emissions vehicle, including second-generation ethanol and CO2-neutral methanol.

Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance

Moving away from the hypercar stratosphere and closer to the world of ordinary road cars, the next contender in the power-density fight is the S E Performance, the aptly-named performance-oriented trim of the AMG C63. AMG's high-performance sedan ditches the V8 and takes inspiration from the world of Formula 1 in its 2024 incarnation, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs its two-liter engine with a 400-volt electric motor. The C63's ICE is incredibly efficient, managing to produce a higher specific output than the three-liter V6 found in the Ferrari 296 GTB.

Ferrari 296 GTB

First introduced in 2022, the 296 hybrid supercar embodies Ferrari's journey towards electrification by pairing a turbocharged V6 with an electric motor. It can also be driven on electric power only for a short distance. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

The 296 is available in both coupe (GTB) and convertible (GTS) form; a range of optional extras are available, including carbon fiber wheels and carbon fiber seats. Interior-wise, one characteristic that sets the 296 apart is its unusual infotainment system, which integrates audio and navigation functions into the gauge cluster and adds an extra display for the passenger. The 296 comes with four driving modes: eDrive (electric power only), Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify (a track-oriented mode that unlocks the car's full performance capabilities).

Maserati MC20

The Maserati MC20 has an all-new V6 engine called "Nettuno." It is entirely designed in-house, signaling a break from the Maserati tradition of borrowing engines from its corporate partners. The MC20 also borrows technology from the world of motorsport. The Nettuno engine's twin combustion system is adapted from Formula 1 race cars. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

With its bare-bones interior, the MC20 is a driver's car through and through. Extended use of carbon fiber throughout the chassis and bodywork keeps the car's weight down for optimal performance.

McLaren Elva

The McLaren Elva is a unique two-seater car without a roof or windshield (although US models have a fixed windshield to fulfill legal requirements). Its name is a call back to the history of McLaren; in the 1960s, Bruce McLaren outsourced production of his open-top race cars to a British carmaker called Elva. Based on the Senna, the Elva is powered by a modified version of the Senna's engine with an even greater power output, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The similarities to the Senna do not extend to the suspension setup, which is far more comfort-oriented and less aggressive.

The Elva was a limited-edition car; only 149 examples were built, each individually customized according to the owner's wishes by the company's bespoke division, MSO (McLaren Special Operations).

McLaren Artura

The McLaren Artura, McLaren's first series-production hybrid supercar, was first introduced in 2022. McLaren was no stranger to hybrid technology after building the P1 nearly a decade earlier. The Artura, however, is a very different animal, having made it into full-scale production instead of being a limited-edition rarity. It is also equipped with a V6 instead of the P1's V8.

The upcoming 2025 model introduces several changes, the biggest one being the introduction of a drop-top version, the Artura Spider. The other improvement comes on the performance front, with a boost in power output and a faster-shifting, more efficient gearbox. Some of the Artura's mechanical components, including the suspension and the braking system, have received a slight upgrade as well.

Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale

The SF90 Stradale is Ferrari's first venture into the world of plug-in hybrids. It first debuted in 2019, celebrating the 90th anniversary of Ferrari's motorsport division, Scuderia Ferrari (hence the name). The SF90 name is also shared by Ferrari's Formula 1 car for the 2019 championship. To distinguish the two cars, Ferrari added the "Stradale" label (Italian for "for the road").

Its four-liter V8 is paired with three electric motors, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels, making the SF90 the first mid-engine Ferrari with all-wheel-drive. Four driving modes are available, including an all-electric and track-oriented "Qualify" modes to maximize the car's performance. The XX variant is a new, performance-oriented addition to the lineup for 2024; despite being primarily made for track use, it is still road-legal. The XX comes with aerodynamic enhancements, a stripped-down interior, and an extra horsepower.

Honorable Mention: Toyota GR Corolla

Suppose you're looking for high power density in a car that's a bit closer (well, a lot closer) to an ordinary person's budget. In that case, the Toyota GR Corolla is a solid contender, which earns it an honorable mention on this list. Getting loads of power and fun out of a diminutive three-cylinder engine, the GR Corolla is doing its part to keep the affordable hot hatch alive.

The 2024 GR Corolla is available in three trim levels: the affordable Core, the mid-level Premium (a new addition for 2024), and the top-spec Circuit Edition. The latter comes with many upgrades, including forged aluminum 18-inch wheels and a carbon-fiber roof. Although the most extreme member of the lineup, the track-ready Morizo edition, is sadly no longer available for 2024, Toyota has hinted that more one-off special editions may be in the pipeline in the near future, so if you're a fan of hot-hatch madness (and what car enthusiast isn't, really?) make sure to keep your eyes peeled.