THE BEST ROAD-GOING V10S

THESE FIVE SCORE V10 OUT OF 10 FOR THEIR ENGINES

1992 DODGE VIPER

An engine originally intended for a pick-up truck but recast in aluminium by Lamborghini. It displaced 8.0 litres and, when we drove it in the Viper, provided the best performance of any road car we’d driven. As the first V10 road car to go on sale, the Viper was a landmark that was to last 25 years.

2002 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 5.0 TDI

It remains the world’s only V10 SUV, and although the 313bhp engine was technologically humble (it shared its bore and stroke with a 68bhp four-cylinder diesel), there was no doubting its effectiveness. Would tow a house without noticing.

2004 PORSCHE CARRERA GT

As blue-blooded a V10 as you’ll find: a 5.5-litre 603bhp engine designed to win Le Mans. Then the rules changed, Porsche pulled out and wondered what to do with the project. This car was the answer and the V10 one of the rarest but finest Porsche engines of all time.

2005 BMW M5 (E60)

BMW was in Formula 1 at the time and wanted to capitalise. It did not fluff the opportunity. The 5.0-litre V10 engine used in the M5 was a searing, screaming monster of a motor that was capable of reaching 8200rpm and throwing 500bhp at the rear wheels.

2010 LEXUS LFA

Not just the greatest V10 ever to reach production but a good candidate for the greatest supercar engine of all time, and certainly the best-sounding. Would rev past 9000rpm. Had 4.8 litres, 552bhp and the sort of soundtrack you’d want to have played at your funeral.