The rumble of the V8. Its apparently endless surge of power. If the end of the internal combustion engine is nigh as battery power beckons, then this is the last hurrah of the V8, that most evocative of all engines. From American muscle cars to super saloons, the V8 has powered motoring dreams for generations. Luckily, before the music of the V8 becomes a much-loved memory, a mere ringtone or an optional piped-in faux engine note to the interior of your next electric car, there are more than a few great V8-engined motor cars on sale, right here, right now. These are the best V8 cars you can buy in 2024. Test drive obligatory.
Best V8 cars in 2024
Ferrari Roma | £175,000
A brilliant new great from Maranello. Turbo-charged V8 is the latest member of a family of Ferrari power-plants that's repeatedly won International Engine of the Year, front-engined design from the Italian marque's in-house styling unit has had motoring journalists swooning. "Gorgeous" is probably the most used adjective and we'd venture the most appropriate. Those twin turbo-chargers are a help in generating a massive 612 bhp, with a 3.4 second dash to 60 mph and a 199 mph top speed. Ferrari Formula One driver Carlos Sainz has one, so you'll be in good company.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | £77,200
A veritable bargain of a V8 American supercar, this new generation of Corvette is offered in exotic mid-engined format with Lamborghini-rivalling acceleration. The Corvette's 475 bhp will propel you to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 185 mph. Looks resemble those of Italian supercars twice the price, too, so much so that hard-bitten reviewers have been blown away by this latest iteration of a true all-American classic. Handling is said to match the power, too, but why not take a test drive to make absolutely sure?
Aston Martin DB11 | £152,886
In the rarefied world of Aston Martin, the V8 version of their DB11 is considered, even at this price point, an "entry level" model. And what an entrance you're going to make in one of Aston's most striking current designs, winner of a prestigious Golden Steering Wheel for most beautiful car. Twin-turbo V8 will whisk you to 60 mph in four seconds with a top speed, if you happen to be near an appropriate runway or autobahn, of 187 mph. Also, the leather-lined interior is no bad place to be as you waft along to your chosen upscale destination. A simply brilliant British GT.
Lamborghini Urus | £177,297
As everyone knows, the very idea of a Lambo SUV is ludicrous. The V8-engined Urus is also the fastest-selling Lamborghini ever, with more than 20,000 finding homes in the four years since its launch to a stunned response. Styling echoes that of the company's flamboyant supercars, albeit sized up more than just a little. The roar of that twin-turbocharged V8 will tell people you're coming, the shape - usually in a loud shade of orange or yellow - will remain in the mind long after that delicious engine note has faded into the distance. Top speed is a frankly terrifying 189 mph, while 60 mph is reached in just 3.6 seconds. A Lambo for the school run and the supermarket? Done.
McLaren Senna | £750,000
Quite expensive, worth every single penny. The Senna is named after McLaren's most famous Formula One driver, and suffice to say it's a fitting tribute to the great Ayrton. McLaren, who hold joint rights to the Senna name with the Instituto Ayrton Senna, say this will be the only car to bear his name. And what a car. Mid-mounted engine is a 4-litre V8 producing a mighty 789 bhp and capable of 208 mph, with 60 mph coming up in an eyeblink, or 2.8 seconds as McLaren put it. If that and the jaw-dropping looks aren't enough, the hand-crafted interior will surely seal the deal.
Porsche Panamera GTS V8 | £110,700
Porsche may be best-known for the rear-mounted flat-six engines in the 911, but here they've shoehorned a V8 under the bonnet of their continent-crushing four-door super-saloon. Top speed from the ample 473 bhp available under your right foot is an adequate 186 mph with 60 mph coming up in a startling 3.9 seconds, which is supercar fast. Noise is best experienced outside, because within you'll be surrounded by the insulation of one of the finest of Porsche's legendarily luxurious interiors. There's even decent room for your Louis Vuitton luggage, too.
Mercedes-AMG GT | £108,390
Since it’s able to keep Max Verstappen at bay in its role as a Formula One safety car, the hugely desirable GT is likely to be more than fast enough for your next essential trans-continental dash to see Mr Verstappen race at the circuit of your choice. Stellar looks designed in-house by AMG, the slightly unhinged performance arm of ostensibly staid Mercedes-Benz, long bonnet hides 522 bhp V8 capable of 194 mph and a 0 - 60 mph dash in 3.7 seconds. A worthy successor to the 1950s Gullwing, and an essential for your V8 collection.
Bentley Flying Spur | £162,500
Bentley's simply enormous super-saloon probably won't fit into your suburban garage. Indeed, it'll be more at home winding its way up the long tree-lined drive that leads up to one of your many country houses. Under that substantial bonnet you can choose to have a raucous and frankly uncouth W12, so we'd suggest the more refined propulsion of the company's 548 bhp V8, its rumble serenely muffled as you enjoy the work of Bentley’s artisans inside, with as much leather and wood as the experts at Bentley HQ in Crewe can manage.
Range Rover | £137,820
The latest edition of the original deluxe SUV still references the look of the classic Range Rover, first introduced as a way of providing slightly more comfortable transport for famers than the basic Defender in 1970, but these days with rather more in the way of super-luxe appointments to the lavish interior. A brutal 530 bhp V8 is available for particularly fast progress across your country estate - or on the school run - with 60 mph coming up in 4.4 seconds. All of Land-Rover's legendary off-road abilities are built-in beneath that svelte exterior so if an Alp beckons, you'll be able to climb it in great comfort.
Ford Mustang V8 | £45,995
Compared to other V8 cars, the modern Mustang is a real bargain and one with a storied history, echoed in styling that harks back to the 1965 original and to the Mustang that became a legend when driven by Steve McQueen in the film 'Bullitt'. Latest front-mounted V8 produces 444 bhp for a top speed of 155 mph and a 0 - 60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, which is exactly the sort of acceleration you want from your American muscle car. The noise is intoxicating, too. So much so that the danger is you'll walk into your Ford dealer thinking slightly reluctantly of a nice little Fiesta and drive out in a V8 Mustang, grinning from ear to ear.
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