The then newly-adopted engine introduced two parallel turbochargers, and capitalized on the brand’s Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) technology, resulting in a 638-horsepower output, overall. This aluminum powerhouse was introduced alongside the company’s R10, as it was meant to supersede the R8 platform after successive wins at Le Mans.
We’re kicking off our list with one of the most interesting and dominant engines in Audi’s competitive history, the 5.5-liter V12 TDI. Without further adieu, let’s take a look at some of the powerful models that have shaped the circuit into what we know today.
Obviously, the automotive world is a vast and daunting place, so we’ve narrowed down our list to provide an accurate representation of some of the most celebrated engines in the genre, without relying too heavily on the intricacies of each manufacturer, model, and era. Below, we’ve aggregated a handful of our favorite power plants from throughout history, honing in on what they are, what they’ve achieved, and where they’ve left their mark. Instead of focusing on the aesthetic of racing’s most dominant cars, we’ve decided to dive into what it is that makes them tick - in this case, the engines that sit at their center. But for us, there’s a deeper connection that can be made. It’s true that, for many, the outward appearance of a vehicle might remain its most notable quality.
But while the vehicles themselves might be the most notable aspect of the circuit due to their striking looks, interesting technologies, and mass appeal, an equally-as-deserving engine sits at their heart, spurring them onward as they overtake one another at every turn. From track to track, circuit to circuit, and country to country, the influence of these transcendental platforms can be felt throughout the ever-changing landscape of speed-savvy design, bringing about the evolution (and innovation) of one of the world’s most adrenaline-inducing sports. Throughout automotive racing’s long and illustrious history, various high-powered vehicles have served as the basis for rivalries, friendships, collaborations, and dramatic redemptions.