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when engine capacity was king!

At a time when manufacturers are favoring efficiency and electrification, let's take a look back at these mechanical monsters which have marked the history of the automobile with their disproportionate displacement. Discover the 6 biggest engines ever installed in a production car.

The Bugatti Royale Type 41: the king of engines

At the top of this ranking, we find the legendary engine of the Bugatti Royale Type 41. This mechanical behemoth displayed impressive characteristics:

  • 8 cylinders in line
  • Displacement of 12.7 liters
  • Power of 300 horsepower
  • Production limited to 6 copies between 1927 and 1933
  • Initially designed for French military aviation, this engine eventually found its place under the hood of one of the most exclusive cars in history.

    The Hispano-Suiza J12: the V12 of excess

    The Spanish brand, recently resurrected, distinguished itself in the 1930s with its J12 model. Its engine was distinguished by:

  • A V12 architecture
  • A displacement of 11.3 liters
  • Power exceeding 200 horsepower
  • A production between 1931 and 1938
  • This engine bears witness to the golden age of the brand, when Hispano-Suiza competed with the biggest names in automotive luxury.

    The Dodge Viper SRT: the American V10

    Although its production ceased a few years ago, the Dodge Viper is still remembered as one of the most iconic American supercars. Its engine was characterized by:

  • A V10 architecture
  • A displacement of 8.4 liters
  • Power exceeding 600 horsepower
  • Atmospheric suction
  • This engine perfectly embodied the โ€œThere's no replacement for displacementโ€ philosophy dear to American manufacturers.

    The Cadillac Eldorado: the king-size V8

    The Eldorado is one of the most prestigious names in Cadillac history. In the 70s, it was distinguished by an endless hood housing an engine of impressive dimensions:

  • Naturally aspirated V8
  • Displacement of 8.2 liters
  • Power of 400 horsepower
  • This engine symbolized the excess and opulence of the American automobile industry before the oil crises.

    The Bugatti Chiron: technology at the service of excess

    The only modern car in this ranking, the Bugatti Chiron proves that large engines still have their place in contemporary automobiles. Its powertrain is distinguished by:

  • A W16 architecture (16 cylinders in W)
  • A displacement of 8 liters
  • Four turbochargers
  • A power of 1600 horsepower
  • A torque of 1600 Nm
  • This engine demonstrates that the search for extreme performance can still justify the use of very large displacements.

    The Rolls-Royce Phantom II: when six cylinders were enough

    Although the current Phantom has an imposing engine, it is far from matching the dimensions of the block that equipped the Phantom II in the 1930s:

  • 6-cylinder in-line engine
  • Displacement of 7.6 liters
  • Power of 120 horsepower
  • This engine, despite its impressive displacement, favored torque and quiet operation over pure power.

    These extraordinary engines bear witness to a bygone era when displacement was synonymous with prestige and performance. Today, the automotive industry is turning towards more compact and efficient solutions, favoring hybridization and electrification. Nevertheless, these mechanical monsters retain a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts, symbols of an era where excess was king in the automotive world.

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