16 Cars with 16-cylinder Engines

When it comes to engine design, there is a saying that “there is no replacement for displacement”. The more cylinders an engine has, the more power it can produce. However, most production cars have four, six, or eight cylinders, with twelve being reserved for the most exclusive and expensive models. But what about sixteen cylinders? Is there any reason to have such a massive and complex engine in a car? And who has ever made one?

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of sixteen-cylinder cars, from the early pioneers of the 1930s to the modern hypercars of today. We will look at the different configurations and technologies used to create these engines, as well as the performance, specifications, and significance of each car in the automotive history. We will also see how these cars reflect the ambitions, challenges, and innovations of their makers and eras.

So buckle up and get ready for a ride through the wildest and most powerful cars ever made, featuring sixteen cylinders of pure adrenaline.

1. Cadillac V-16 (1930-1940)

The first car on our list is also the first production car to feature a sixteen-cylinder engine. The Cadillac V-16 was introduced in 1930, at the height of the luxury car market in the US. It was designed to compete with the likes of Duesenberg, Packard, and Pierce-Arrow, offering unparalleled refinement, elegance, and prestige.

• A 7.4-liter V16 engine with 175 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque
• A smooth and quiet engine, thanks to its even firing order and long crankshaft
• A variety of body styles and customizations, from sedans and coupes to convertibles and limousines
• A price range from $5,000 to $10,000, equivalent to a small fortune in the Depression era
• A success in terms of prestige and reputation, but not in terms of sales
• A technological dead end, as the V16 engine proved to be too costly, complicated, and impractical to maintain and improve

The Cadillac V-16 was a remarkable achievement of engineering and craftsmanship, but also a reflection of the excess and extravagance of the pre-war era. It was a car that few could afford and even fewer could appreciate, but it remains a legend in automotive history.

2. Auto Union Type C (1936-1937)

The next car on our list is not a production car, but a race car. The Auto Union Type C was one of the legendary “Silver Arrows” that dominated the Grand Prix racing in the 1930s, along with its rival, the Mercedes-Benz W125. The Auto Union Type C was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, who would later go on to create the Volkswagen Beetle and the Porsche 911.

• A 6.0-liter V16 engine with 520 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque
• A phenomenal engine, with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and a supercharger
• A mid-engined race car, one of the first of its kind
• A formidable machine, capable of reaching speeds of over 200 mph on the straights
• A masterpiece of engineering and performance, designed by Ferdinand Porsche
• A symbol of the dark side of motorsport in the 1930s, funded and supported by the Nazi regime
• A dangerous car, as the high speeds, poor safety standards, and political pressure resulted in many fatal accidents
• A retired car, as the rules changed to limit the engine size to 3.0 litres

The Auto Union Type C was a marvel of speed and power, but also a weapon of propaganda and war. It was a car that pushed the boundaries of technology and human endurance but also paid a high price in blood and tragedy.

3. Cizeta V16T (1991-1995)

The third car on our list is a supercar from the early 1990s, the Cizeta V16T. The car was the brainchild of Claudio Zampolli, an Italian engineer and Ferrari dealer, who wanted to create the ultimate exotic car. He teamed up with Giorgio Moroder, a famous music producer and composer, and Marcello Gandini, a legendary car designer who worked for Lamborghini and Bugatti.

• A 6.0-liter V16 engine with 540 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque
• A transverse engine, made of two Lamborghini Urraco V8s, sharing a common crankshaft
• A loud and distinctive engine, with 16 exhaust pipes
• A stunning and aggressive design, resembling the Lamborghini Diablo
• A fast car, capable of reaching 204 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds
• A rare and exclusive car, with only 19 units produced
• A very expensive car, costing $650,000, more than twice the price of a Ferrari F40 or a Lamborghini Diablo
• A troubled car, plagued by legal and financial troubles, and facing competition from other supercars

The Cizeta V16T was a dream come true for its creators, but also a nightmare for its owners. It was a car that combined the best of Italian design and engineering, but also the worst of reliability and practicality.

4. Bugatti Veyron (2005-2015)

The fourth car on our list is arguably the most famous and influential sixteen-cylinder car ever made, the Bugatti Veyron. The car was the result of a challenge set by Ferdinand Piech, the chairman of Volkswagen Group, who owned Bugatti at the time. He wanted to create a car that could reach 400 km/h (248 mph), have 1,000 horsepower, and be comfortable and drivable on the road.

• An 8.0-liter W16 engine with 1,001 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque
• A complex and sophisticated engine, requiring 10 radiators, 16 spark plugs, and 64 fuel injectors
• A stunning and elegant design, combining classic and modern elements
• A fast car, capable of reaching 253 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds
• A success in terms of prestige and reputation, but not in terms of profitability
• A limited car, with only 450 units sold in its 10-year production run
• A versatile car, with various versions and editions, such as the Super Sport, the Grand Sport, and the Vitesse

The Bugatti Veyron was a masterpiece of engineering and performance, but also a challenge of logistics and economics. It was a car that set new standards of speed and luxury but also faced new problems of maintenance and sustainability.

5. Devel Sixteen (2017-present)

The fifth and final car on our list is the most outrageous and controversial sixteen-cylinder car ever made, the Devel Sixteen. The car was first unveiled in 2013, at the Dubai Motor Show, by a company called Devel Motors, based in the United Arab Emirates. The car claimed to have a 12.3-litre V16 engine, with four turbochargers, producing 5,007 horsepower and 3,757 lb-ft of torque. The car also claimed to have a top speed of 560 km/h (347 mph) and a 0 to 60 mph time of 1.8 seconds.

• A 12.3-liter V16 engine with 5,007 horsepower and 3,757 lb-ft of torque
• A massive and powerful engine, with four turbochargers and a quad exhaust
• A futuristic and flamboyant design, resembling a fighter jet, a Hot Wheels toy, and a Batmobile
• A hypothetical car, with no verified performance or specifications
• A dubious car, met with scepticism and criticism, as many experts and enthusiasts doubted the validity and feasibility of the car’s claims
• A delayed car, in development for over seven years, with little progress and evidence
• A mysterious car, with no official website, no production facility, and no customer reviews

The Devel Sixteen is a fantasy car, but also a hoax car. It is a car that promises the impossible but also delivers nothing. It is a car that exists only in the imagination, but also in the headlines.

6. Koenigsegg Agera (2011-2018)

The sixth car on our list is a hypercar from Sweden, the Koenigsegg Agera. The car was the successor of the Koenigsegg CCX and the predecessor of the Koenigsegg Regera. The car was named after the Swedish word for “act” or “perform”, reflecting its dynamic and powerful nature.

• A 5.0-liter V16 engine with 1,140 horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque
• A twin-turbocharged engine, with variable geometry turbochargers and flex-fuel capability
• A lightweight and aerodynamic design, with a carbon fibre body, a removable roof, and an active rear wing
• A fast car, capable of reaching 273 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds
• A limited car, with only 25 units produced in its 7-year production run
• A versatile car, with various versions and editions, such as the Agera R, the Agera S, and the Agera RS

The Koenigsegg Agera was a masterpiece of engineering and performance, but also a challenge of innovation and craftsmanship. It was a car that combined the best of Swedish design and technology, but also the best of human passion and skill.

7. Marmon Sixteen (1931-1933)

The seventh car on our list is a luxury car from the US, the Marmon Sixteen. The car was the last and most ambitious model from the Marmon Motor Car Company, which went bankrupt in 1933. The car was designed by Howard Marmon, an engineer and inventor, who wanted to create a car that could rival the Cadillac V-16.

• An 8.0-litre V16 engine with 200 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque
• An aluminium engine, with overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chambers, and a single carburettor
• A stylish and elegant design, with a long hood, a low roof, and a tapered tail
• A variety of body styles, from sedans and coupes to convertibles and roadsters
• A price range from $5,000 to $6,000, which was lower than the Cadillac V-16, but still expensive for the Depression era
• A rare car, with only 400 units produced in its 3-year production run
• A historic car, as it was the first car to use an aluminium engine and chassis, and the last car to use a V16 engine in the US until the Cadillac Sixteen concept of 2003

The Marmon Sixteen was a remarkable achievement of engineering and design, but also a reflection of the downfall and demise of the Marmon Motor Car Company. It was a car that was ahead of its time, but also behind its market.

8. Alfa Romeo Tipo 162 (1939-1940)

The eighth car on our list is another race car, the Alfa Romeo Tipo 162. The car was the successor of the Alfa Romeo Tipo 159, which was one of the most successful Grand Prix cars of the pre-war era. The car was designed by Gioacchino Colombo, who would later go on to design the Ferrari 125 and the Ferrari 158.

• A 3.0-liter V16 engine with 490 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque
• A supercharged engine, with two Roots-type superchargers and two carburettors
• A mid-engined race car, one of the first of its kind
• A lightweight and compact design, with a tubular chassis, a streamlined body, and a central cockpit
• A fast car, capable of reaching speeds of over 200 mph on the straights
• A secret car, as it was never officially raced or tested, due to the outbreak of World War II
• A lost car, as it was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944, along with most of the Alfa Romeo factory

The Alfa Romeo Tipo 162 was a marvel of speed and power, but also a victim of war and fate. It was a car that could have been a legend, but also a car that never was.

9. BRM P75 (1966)

The ninth car on our list is another race car, the BRM P75. The car was the result of a collaboration between British Racing Motors (BRM) and Harry Weslake, an engineer and inventor, who wanted to create a car that could compete with the dominant Ferrari and Lotus teams in Formula One.

• A 3.0-liter H16 engine with 400 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque
• A flat engine, made of two flat-eight engines, stacked on top of each other, and sharing a common crankshaft
• A rear-engined race car, following the trend of the mid-1960s
• A complex and heavy design, with four overhead camshafts, 32 valves, and 16 spark plugs
• A slow car, as it suffers from poor reliability, high fuel consumption, and excessive vibration
• A failed car, as it never won a race, and was replaced by a simpler V12 engine in 1968
• A unique car, as it was the only car to use an H16 engine in Formula One

The BRM P75 was a disaster of engineering and performance, but also a curiosity of experimentation and innovation. It was a car that tried to do too much, but also a car that did something different.

10. BMW Goldfish (1987)

The tenth car on our list is a concept car, the BMW Goldfish. The car was the result of a project by BMW, who wanted to create a car that could rival the Mercedes-Benz 600, which had a 6.0-litre V12 engine. The car was based on the BMW 7 Series, which had a 5.0-liter V12 engine at the time.

• A 6.7-liter V16 engine with 408 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque
• A naturally aspirated engine, with four overhead camshafts, 64 valves, and a Bosch Motronic fuel injection system
• A front-engined car, with a modified chassis and body to accommodate the longer engine
• A luxurious and spacious design, with a leather interior, a sunroof, and a rear entertainment system
• A prototype car, as it was never intended for production, but only for testing and evaluation
• A scrapped car, as it was deemed too expensive, too heavy, and too impractical to produce
• An influential car, as it inspired the development of the Rolls-Royce 100EX, which had a 9.0-liter V16 engine

The BMW Goldfish was a wonder of engineering and design, but also a waste of resources and time. It was a car that was too big, too powerful, and too ambitious for its own good.

11. Jimenez Novia (1995)

The eleventh car on our list is a supercar from France, the Jimenez Novia. The car was the creation of Raphael Jimenez, a mechanic and enthusiast, who wanted to create a car that could challenge the Bugatti EB110, which had a 3.5-litre quad-turbocharged V12 engine. The car was based on a Peugeot 205, which had a 1.9-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine at the time.

• A 3.5-liter W16 engine with 560 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque
• A naturally aspirated engine, with four overhead camshafts, 64 valves, and four Weber carburettors
• A mid-engined car, with a tubular steel chassis and a fiberglass body
• A radical and eccentric design, with a narrow and angular body, a large rear wing, and a central cockpit
• A homemade car, as it was built by Jimenez himself, in his garage, with his own tools and materials
• A one-off car, as it was never replicated, sold, or tested by anyone else
• A forgotten car, as it was never registered, raced, or exhibited, and remained in Jimenez’s possession until he died in 2014

The Jimenez Novia was a miracle of engineering and passion, but also a mystery of obscurity and isolation. It was a car that was made by one man, for one man, and known by few.

12. Cadillac Sixteen (2003)

The twelfth car on our list is a concept car, the Cadillac Sixteen. The car was a revival of the Cadillac V-16 from the 1930s, and a showcase of Cadillac’s new design language, called “Art and Science”. The car was designed by Wayne Cherry, the vice president of design at General Motors, who wanted to create a car that could represent the ultimate expression of luxury and performance.

• A 13.6-litre V16 engine with 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque
• A naturally aspirated engine, with four overhead camshafts, 32 valves, and a cylinder deactivation system
• A front-engined car, with a rear-wheel drive system and a four-speed automatic transmission
• A luxurious and spacious design, with a leather interior, a crystal dashboard, and a panoramic glass roof
• A prototype car, as it was never intended for production, but only for demonstration and inspiration
• A historic car, as it was the first car to use a V16 engine in the US since the Marmon Sixteen of 1933
• An influential car, as it inspired the development of the Cadillac Ciel, which had a 7.5-litre V16 engine

The Cadillac Sixteen was a wonder of engineering and design, but also a tribute to the past and a vision for the future. It was a car that celebrated the heritage and innovation of Cadillac, but also the potential and aspiration of the brand.

13. Koenigsegg Regera (2016-present)

The thirteenth car on our list is another hypercar from Sweden, the Koenigsegg Regera. The car was the successor of the Koenigsegg Agera, and the first hybrid car from Koenigsegg. The car was named after the Swedish word for “reign” or “rule”, reflecting its dominant and powerful nature.

• A 5.0-liter V16 engine with 1,100 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque
• A twin-turbocharged engine, with variable geometry turbochargers and flex-fuel capability
• A hybrid car, with three electric motors, adding 700 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque
• A mid-engined car, with a carbon fibre chassis and body, and a removable roof
• A fast car, capable of reaching 255 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds
• A limited car, with only 80 units planned for production
• An innovative car, with a unique transmission system, called the Koenigsegg Direct Drive, which eliminates the need for a gearbox and reduces the weight and complexity of the drivetrain

The Koenigsegg Regera was a masterpiece of engineering and performance, but also a challenge of efficiency and simplicity. It was a car that combined the best of combustion and electric power, but also the best of mechanical and digital technology.

14. Rolls-Royce 100EX (2004)

The fourteenth car on our list is another concept car, the Rolls-Royce 100EX. The car was a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Rolls-Royce, and a preview of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé, which was launched in 2007. The car was designed by Ian Cameron, the chief designer of Rolls-Royce, who wanted to create a car that could capture the essence and spirit of Rolls-Royce.

• A 9.0-liter V16 engine with an unknown power output
• A naturally aspirated engine, derived from the BMW Goldfish engine program
• A front-engined car, with a rear-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic transmission
• A luxurious and elegant design, with an aluminium body, a teak wood deck, and a fabric roof
• A prototype car, as it was never intended for production, but only for testing and exhibition
• A historic car, as it was the first car to use a V16 engine in the UK since the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV of 1950
• An influential car, as it inspired the development of the Rolls-Royce Sweptail, which had a 6.75-litre V12 engine

The Rolls-Royce 100EX was a wonder of engineering and design, but also a tribute to the legacy and tradition of Rolls-Royce. It was a car that embodied the style and sophistication of Rolls-Royce, but also the craftsmanship and quality of the brand.

15. Aston Martin Valkyrie (2020-present)

The fifteenth car on our list is another hypercar from the UK, the Aston Martin Valkyrie. The car was the result of a collaboration between Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing, and several other partners, who wanted to create a car that could bridge the gap between road and track. The car was named after the Norse mythological figures, who chose the fallen warriors to enter Valhalla.

• A 6.5-litre V16 engine with 1,000 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque
• A naturally aspirated engine, with four overhead camshafts, 48 valves, and a Cosworth fuel injection system
• A hybrid car, with a Rimac electric motor, adding 160 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque
• A mid-engined car, with a carbon fibre chassis and body, and gull-wing doors
• A fast car, capable of reaching 250 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds
• A limited car, with only 150 units planned for production
• An innovative car, with a radical aerodynamic design, featuring a venturi tunnel, a rear diffuser, and a top-mounted exhaust

The Aston Martin Valkyrie was a masterpiece of engineering and performance, but also a challenge of balance and harmony. It was a car that combined the best of road and race car engineering, but also the best of beauty and function.

16. Devel Sixty (2018-present)

The sixteenth and final car on our list is another outrageous and controversial car from the United Arab Emirates, the Devel Sixty. The car was unveiled in 2017, at the Dubai Motor Show, by the same company that made the Devel Sixteen. The car claimed to be a six-wheeled SUV, with a military-style design and a monstrous performance.

• A 6.7-liter V16 engine with 720 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque
• A turbocharged engine, with a single turbocharger and a diesel fuel system
• A six-wheeled car, with a four-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic transmission
• A rugged and imposing design, with a steel body, a panoramic glass roof, and a night vision system
• A fast car, capable of reaching 150 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds
• A dubious car, met with scepticism and criticism, as many experts and enthusiasts doubted the validity and feasibility of the car’s claims
• A delayed car, in development for over three years, with little progress and evidence
• A mysterious car, with no official website, no production facility, and no customer reviews

The Devel Sixty is a fantasy car, but also a hoax car. It is a car that promises the impossible but also delivers nothing. It is a car that exists only in the imagination, but also in the headlines.