Do V16 engines exist?

In the Malaysian market, models equipped with a 7-speed transmission are relatively rare, but some high-end configurations of the Mazda 6 may feature a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which excels in acceleration response and fuel efficiency. The Mazda 6 primarily utilizes a SkyActiv technology-based 6-speed automatic transmission, with technical highlights including a flat torque converter and a lock-up range of up to 89%, significantly enhancing power delivery efficiency. For customers requiring a 7-speed transmission, they may consult local dealers to verify specific model configurations, while noting that transmission types vary by model year and trim level. Other domestic brands such as Proton and Perodua predominantly employ 5-speed or 6-speed transmissions, prioritizing practicality and cost-effectiveness.

Torque and horsepower are two key indicators for measuring engine performance, each with its own focus and complementing each other. Torque (unit: N·m) reflects the engine's instantaneous explosive power and directly affects the vehicle's acceleration capability during starting, climbing, or when carrying loads. For example, diesel engines with high torque at low speeds perform better in urban areas with frequent starts and stops or when towing heavy objects. Horsepower (unit: PS or kW), on the other hand, represents the ability of sustained power output and determines high-speed cruising or maximum speed. For instance, high-performance cars release large horsepower at high rotational speeds to achieve rapid overtaking. The relationship between the two can be understood through the formula "horsepower = torque × rotational speed / 9549": if a high-torque engine is limited in rotational speed (such as the tuning of an off-road vehicle), its horsepower may be lower than that of a high-rotational-speed, low-torque engine (such as a sports car). Practical selection needs to be based on usage: for urban commuting, priority should be given to the maximum torque data around 2000 rpm (for example, 1.5T turbocharged engines often reach more than 250 N·m), while for long-distance high-speed driving, high-rpm horsepower (such as more than 150 PS) should be considered. It is worth noting that some small-displacement turbocharged models, through technical optimization, can output torque comparable to that of large-displacement engines (such as 260 N·m) at low rpm while maintaining fuel economy (with a combined fuel consumption of about 6 L/100 km). This type of balanced tuning is more suitable for diverse daily scenarios.

To calculate the torque required to produce 300 hp at 4600 RPM, the conversion formula between imperial horsepower (hp) and torque can be used: Torque (lb·ft) = (Horsepower × 5252) ÷ Rotational Speed (RPM). Substituting the values, Torque = (300 × 5252) ÷ 4600 ≈ 342.5 lb·ft, which converts to approximately 464.3 Newton-meters (N·m) (1 lb·ft ≈ 1.3558 N·m). This result indicates that the engine needs to output approximately 464 N·m of torque at 4600 RPM to achieve a power output of 300 hp. The product of torque and rotational speed directly determines horsepower; high torque enhances acceleration response in the low-speed range, while maintaining torque at high rotational speeds optimizes high-speed performance. For example, turbocharging technology can sustain high torque across a wide rpm range by increasing air intake, thereby addressing both low-speed acceleration and high-speed power requirements.

The acceleration performance of a car mainly depends on the synergistic effect of powertrain efficiency and vehicle engineering design. The engine's power and torque are the foundation: power determines high-speed potential, while low-speed high-torque output (such as that of turbocharged engines) can significantly enhance the initial "push-back" feeling. The power-to-weight ratio (the ratio of horsepower to vehicle weight) is particularly crucial. For example, a 1.5-ton car equipped with a 200-horsepower engine will have better acceleration performance than a heavier vehicle with the same horsepower. In the transmission system, dual-clutch transmissions can reduce the 0-100 km/h acceleration time by more than 0.5 seconds compared to traditional automatic transmissions due to their fast shifting speed and low power loss, while manual transmissions can achieve a transmission efficiency of up to 95% when operated by skilled drivers. Lightweight designs such as aluminum alloy suspensions can reduce unsprung mass—every 10% reduction in weight increases acceleration performance by approximately 5%. In terms of tires, 245mm-wide semi-slick tires reduce the probability of initial wheelspin by 15% compared to ordinary tires. Four-wheel drive systems optimize grip through electronic torque distribution, which can improve acceleration efficiency by 8-12%, especially on wet roads. Environmental factors: for every 1000-meter increase in altitude, the power of naturally aspirated engines decreases by about 10%, while turbocharged models may trigger power protection due to excessively high intake air temperature when the ambient temperature exceeds 35°C. Daily maintenance such as regular replacement of high-performance spark plugs and low-viscosity engine oil (e.g., 0W-20) can maintain the engine in optimal condition. These details together form a complete system for a vehicle's acceleration capability.

V8 engines typically consume more fuel than small-displacement engines, which is determined by their structural characteristics and performance orientation. Taking multiple models equipped with V8 engines as examples, their combined fuel consumption generally ranges from 11 to 20 liters per 100 kilometers, with specific values influenced by multiple factors. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz G63 can reach 15.44 L/100km under urban driving conditions, while the Range Rover 4.4T V8 with lightweight design has a measured fuel consumption of 11.74 L; the Nissan Patrol 5.6L naturally aspirated V8 has a NEDC standard fuel consumption of 15.6 L, and under extreme conditions, such as the Dongfeng Mengshi civilian version 6.5T diesel V8, it can even reach 30 L. Key factors affecting fuel consumption include: driving habits (aggressive driving can increase fuel consumption by more than 30%), road conditions (fuel consumption in congested sections is 40%-50% higher than that during highway driving), vehicle technology (e.g., the automatic start-stop system equipped on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class can optimize fuel economy), and vehicle weight (each additional 100kg increases fuel consumption by approximately 0.3-0.5 L). It is worth noting that some new V8 engines adopting turbocharging and energy-saving technologies (such as the SAIC Maxus V8 diesel version) can control fuel consumption at around 7.5 L/100km by optimizing combustion efficiency, but such data usually needs to be achieved under ideal working conditions. For car owners pursuing performance, while V8 engines provide abundant power, it is recommended to use driving skills such as smooth acceleration and anticipating road conditions, and perform regular maintenance to maintain optimal fuel economy.

Currently, the most powerful engine in the world with an output of 109,000 horsepower is the RT-flex96C series diesel engine manufactured by Finland's Wärtsilä Corporation. The 14-cylinder version (14RT-flex96C) delivers approximately 107,390 horsepower at maximum load, approaching the figure inquired about. This low-speed two-stroke marine engine features a modular design, with a single-cylinder displacement of 1,820 liters and a total weight exceeding 2,300 tons. It is primarily employed in ultra-large container vessels such as the "Emma Maersk". Key innovations include its common-rail fuel injection system and electronic control technology, which enhance combustion efficiency while reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. Although consuming roughly 13,000 liters of heavy fuel oil per hour, it achieves 38% thermal efficiency through a waste heat recovery system. Notably, the power output of this engine series varies depending on configuration (e.g., 12-cylinder or 14-cylinder versions). In aviation, the GE90-115B turbofan - the highest-thrust engine - generates approximately 56.9 tons of maximum thrust, equating to about 110,000 horsepower when converted. However, the aviation industry typically emphasizes thrust measurements rather than horsepower.

Among the currently available models, the 1.5T four-cylinder turbocharged engine (148 hp/226 Nm from the factory) equipped in the Proton X50 is a choice with relatively outstanding power parameters. Its modification potential can reach 195 hp/320 Nm, and the 0-100km/h acceleration can be improved to 7.46 seconds. When considering historical models, the Proton Putra was once equipped with the Mitsubishi 4G93P 1.8L naturally aspirated engine (103 kW/164 Nm). Combined with its lightweight body of 1007 kg, it achieved a top speed of 208 km/h and was once a local performance benchmark. The 2.8T diesel engine currently offered in the Toyota Hilux pickup truck (maximum power not explicitly mentioned but with strong torque) demonstrates excellent power performance in load-carrying and off-road scenarios. It is worth noting that engine performance needs to be comprehensively evaluated based on power output, torque curve, transmission efficiency, and actual driving experience. Different vehicle positioning (such as family SUVs, performance coupes, or commercial pickups) also has varying power requirements, so it is recommended to evaluate according to specific usage purposes.

The V16 engine does exist, but it is primarily regarded as a historical technical masterpiece rather than a configuration for current mass-produced models. Cadillac's Series 452, launched in 1930, was the first mass-produced car equipped with a V16 engine. Its 7.4-liter engine with a 45-degree bank angle delivered 165 horsepower, representing the pinnacle of luxury car powertrain technology at the time. Subsequent models such as the Cizeta-Moroder V16T sports car employed a 6.0-liter V16 engine producing 540 horsepower, while the Cadillac Sixteen concept car further increased the displacement to 13.6 liters, achieving 1000 horsepower through displacement-on-demand technology. These engines utilize dual V8 architectures, attaining smooth operation and high output via unique cylinder arrangements. However, constrained by size, cost, and environmental regulations, modern automakers have largely shifted to W16 or hybrid solutions. Notably, Bugatti's recently unveiled Tourbillon concept features an 8.3L naturally aspirated V16 hybrid system, demonstrating continued exploration of this configuration by ultra-luxury brands. Although no current production models feature V16 engines, they remain emblematic of the automotive industry's pursuit of extreme power and continue to captivate enthusiasts to this day.

The engine with the largest number of cylinders known to date is the 14-cylinder RT-flex96C low-speed marine diesel engine developed by Wärtsilä. Its single-cylinder displacement reaches 1,820 liters, with a total displacement of 25,480 liters; the single-cylinder power output is 7,780 horsepower, and the overall output power reaches as high as 108,920 horsepower. This giant engine, weighing 2,300 tons, measures approximately 27 meters in length and 13.5 meters in height, and is primarily employed in large container ships like the "Emma Maersk". It utilizes an electronically controlled fuel injection system, achieving a thermal efficiency of up to 50%, while consuming approximately 6,400-15,000 liters of heavy fuel oil per hour. By incorporating waste heat recovery and combustion control technologies, the engine effectively balances power performance with environmental requirements. Despite its relatively high operating costs, it significantly enhances maritime transport efficiency. It is noteworthy that such ultra-large-scale engines differ fundamentally from typical automotive engines. In the automotive sector, 12-cylinder engines generally represent the highest configuration, exemplified by the W12 engines installed in certain luxury performance vehicles.

Currently, there are no mass-produced models in the Malaysian market that can reach a power level of 6000 horsepower, a figure far exceeding the performance range of conventional passenger vehicles. According to available information, the modified version of the Putra WRC race car once launched by local brand Proton had a maximum output of approximately 300 horsepower, while the top-of-the-line 3.5T turbocharged engine of the Mazda CX-60 only delivers 280 horsepower. 6000 horsepower typically appears in the field of professional racing cars or specially modified vehicles; for example, the hybrid power unit of an F1 car is around 1000 horsepower, and only the extremely reinforced modified engines of top-level drag racing cars may approach this figure. For daily use, 600 horsepower is already in the high-performance category—for instance, Mazda's plug-in hybrid system with 323 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque can already provide an excellent driving experience. If users are interested in extreme performance, they can follow professional racing events or customized modification plans, but it should be noted that such vehicles usually do not comply with road regulations and have extremely high maintenance costs.