Awesome V8

Defender unleashes the OCTA Black, an all-black interpretation of its toughest, most powerful model yet. In Narvik Black with 30 gloss and satin black exterior details, it boasts a 626 hp twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8, advanced 6D Dynamics suspension, a special OCTA off-road performance mode, and seats with Body and Soul tech that lets you feel your music.

The V8 HEMI-powered Durango has been a staple of the Dodge brand for two decades. To celebrate this occasion, the performance brand created a special edition of the three-row SUV and loaded it with upgrades including Brass Monkey wheels, performance brakes, sharp graphical accents, and a tricked-out cabin with high-end finishes.

The typical cordless drill operates on battery electric power. But in the hands of builder TimWelds, this everyday tool runs on nitromethane, methanol, and oil. Tim took one of Toyan’s working miniature V8 engines and retrofitted it to drive drill bits. The result is the loudest and most satisfying power drill we’ve seen.

The Prancing Horse shows off its sexy side with a droptop version of its sleek Roma 2+2. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive Ferrari Roma Spider has a 3.9 L twin-turbo V8 that makes 612 hp and lets you enjoy its ear candy even more than its coupé brother. With the wind blowing in your hair, it’ll gallop from 0-to-60 mph in 3.1 seconds towards a top speed of 199 mph.

This miniature V8 engine is the perfect desk accessory for any gearhead. GT Scientific uses a 5-axis CNC mill to machine the mini engine from aluminum. The center of the LS3-inspired block holds business cards, while the cylinders each hold a pen or pencil. They also make a smaller version for your keychain.

Loaded with luxury, the Cadillac Escalade is one extravagant SUV. But the Escalade-V is on a different level entirely, adding a powerful supercharged V8, a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, performance brakes, and much more. We spent a week living with Caddy’s powerful full-size SUV and couldn’t get enough of its many pleasures.

In addition to its 702 hp supercharged V8 HEMI engine, this special Ram 1500 TRX comes decked out in a bold Baja Yellow color scheme and rolls on 18-inch black beadlock-capable wheels. Inside, you’ll find Prowler Yellow stitching, carbon fiber accents, and a leather/carbon fiber flat-bottom steering wheel.

This bonkers Ford F-150 has a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that cranks out 700 hp and 640 lb-ft. of torque. It’s built for high-speed desert driving and serious off-roading with 24″ coil springs and Advanced FOX Live Valve shocks. It rides on 37″ tires and offers 13.1″ of ground clearance with 13″ of front wheel travel and 14.1″ in back.

Cadillac’s full-size Escalade SUV now comes in a performance model. The $150K luxury SUV packs a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that makes 682 hp and 653 lb-ft. of torque, launching the 6200 lb. beast to 60 mph in 4.4 sec. It has Brembo brakes, quad exhaust, 22-inch wheels, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and adaptive air suspension.

This insane vehicle is basically a ride-on V8 engine. Created by the guys behind Boss Hoss Motorcycles, the Hoss Fly Barstool is powered by a 9.37-liter Chevy big-block V8 that makes 621 horsepower. You can build your own from a kit, or you can buy this one at Mecum’s 2022 Houston auction, which runs from 3.31 to 4.2.2022.

If you can get past the massive grille, the Concept XM looks pretty damned awesome on paper. This plug-in hybrid crossover combines a V8 with electric motors, producing 750 hp and 737 lb-ft. of torque. Its angular, origami design language offers a glimpse into the future of BMW styling. A production version is due by late 2022.

Chevy took the mid-engine Corvette and cranked it up to 11. The Z06 gets a race car-inspired V8 with a flat-plane crank, with 670 hp and an 8600 RPM redline. It does 0-to-60 in 2.6 seconds, has wider wheels and fenders than Stingray, and the Z07 package adds aero upgrades, carbon-ceramic brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

The Wrangler 392 Rubicon is the ultimate Jeep. It comes from the factory with a 6.4L HEMI V8 that cranks out 470 hp, and is fully equipped for off-road domination. One lucky entrant will win this tricked-out Wrangler valued at over $79,000. Donations help support multiple charities, and Awesomer readers earn double entries.

Simas1014 of Generic Woodworking likes to make working models of car engines from wood. Here, he shows off an impossibly tiny model of a V8 engine, complete with a working crankshaft, rods, and pistons that move. You’d need to measure this engine’s displacement in milliliters.

After driving Jeep’s plug-in-hybrid Wrangler 4xe, we spent a week with a high-torque Wrangler of a very different flavor. The 392 model packs a 6.4L HEMI V8 that makes 470 hp and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Rubicon Unlimited trim means it’s fully kitted out for off-roading. It’s got an awesome exhaust note too.

The V8-powered Lexus IS F went off the market in 2014. The Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance brings the V8 back, making 472 hp and 395 lb-ft. of torque. It builds on the crisp Lexus IS sedan, adding quad exhaust, 19″ Enkei sport wheels, adaptive suspension, a Torsen limited-slip diff, upgraded brake cooling, and more.