Five engines that will most probably never breathe life into these five vehicles again

The motoring world enjoyed an era when regulations were not so strict and allowed manufacturers to create pure, unapologetic engines. Nowadays, those powerplants are beginning to disappear, and those that remain on the used market are becoming real gems. Today, we will review five vehicles that housed a heart that we will no longer see today, yet which have become landmarks and are admired by all motoring enthusiasts.

Despite their longevity, they are still considered contemporary vehicles, and it may be a good moment to get hold of one of them before its price rises considerably. Within this group of vehicles we can find countless models from different segments but, without a doubt, they leave no car lover indifferent.

BMW M5 E60: a V10 with a sweet melody we will miss

The BMW M5 has always stood out as one of the sporting saloons par excellence, and has undergone considerable evolution over the years. However, every car enthusiast will remember one of its versions with special affection: the M5 E60. After the E39 and its 400 CV V8, the German firm decided to take a step that few manufacturers dared to take, fitting a naturally aspirated V10 engine inside a saloon.

In this way one of the most iconic BMW M5s of all time was born, not only for its efficiency on the tarmac, but also for its harmonious sound. Its powerful naturally aspirated V10, derived from Formula 1, displaced 5.0 litres and was capable of producing 507 CV of power and 520 Nm of torque, figures that remain impressive today and that catapulted the German saloon to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.

Little by little, the BMW M5 E60 is becoming a true automotive myth and, although it is still possible to find some examples on the used market at a reasonably affordable price, this could begin to rise exponentially at any moment. However, it is not always a good idea to venture into buying a used supercar, however good its price, since its maintenance can become our downfall.

Audi Q7 V12: an SUV with an unheard-of engine

The world of sporting SUVs is booming, where models such as the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga or Mercedes GLE 63 AMG are tasked with delivering performance typical of supercars. However, before this segment became so saturated there was an undisputed king, the Audi Q7 V12 TDI.

Its gigantic engine positions it as one of the fastest and most powerful SUVs of all time, but its low sales figures led to it disappearing from the market. Its 6.0-litre V12 was capable of producing 500 CV of power and 1,000 Nm of torque, figures that today are reserved for the most exclusive sports cars of all time.

The 0 to 100 km/h sprint took 5.5 seconds and it had an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Its price on the used market is beginning to rise considerably, turning this first-generation variant of the Audi Q7 into a real rara avis that will soon be remembered and acclaimed as one of the most radical SUVs ever built.

Volkswagen Golf R32: the V6 that revolutionised compact cars

Compact cars are another segment where performance is inherent, since from time immemorial we have been able to enjoy souped-up versions of these vehicles. However, the forerunner of this movement is the Volkswagen Golf GTI, a model that over time gave rise to a more powerful and radical version, the R32.

This name was applied to both the Golf IV and V, the latter being the last to carry the 32 in its name and a naturally aspirated V6 with a heavenly sound. Its 3.2-litre engine was capable of producing 250 CV of power and 320 Nm of torque, figures that allowed it to blast from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.

The sixth generation of the Volkswagen Golf did away with the 32 designation and was simply called “R”, where a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine provided its power. This move by the German firm has caused the R32 to appreciate rapidly, making it one of the most admired sporting compacts among motoring enthusiasts.

Lamborghini Huracán: a pure V10 on the brink of extinction

It is true that we are carrying out an analysis of vehicles that, without yet reaching classic status, have long since retired from the market. However, we must make room for one of the most pure and faithful contemporary supercars in its segment, the Lamborghini Huracán. This Italian beast, which shares its mechanics with the Audi R8, offers its customers one of the last naturally aspirated V10 engines on the market.

This 5.2-litre engine is capable of producing a staggering 610 CV of power and 560 Nm of torque, figures that place the Huracán among the fastest supercars. With these numbers, the Italian bull can stop the clock at 2.9 seconds when reaching 100 km/h and, at the same time, has a top speed of 327 km/h.

Both Audi and Lamborghini have no intention of giving up this prized and endangered engine layout, but future generations may turn to forced induction or even hybridisation. Should both firms decide to make this move, it could cause their value to increase considerably in the future.

BMW M3 E92: the last of its kind

Without doubt, the M badge makes motoring enthusiasts flutter with excitement when mentioned but, among all the sports cars of the BMW range, the M3 has always been one of the most special. Today, both the M3 and the M4 retain the level of sportiness implied by their badge, but the German firm gave up naturally aspirated engines to make way for more efficient and powerful turbocharged units.

The M3 E92 was the last of its lineage to feature a naturally aspirated engine, a V8 capable of enchanting anyone who appreciated its virtues. Its 4.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 allowed its owners to enjoy 420 CV of power and 400 Nm of torque, figures that were sent directly to the rear axle. In this way, the previous-generation M3 was able to complete the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds.

Without doubt, the E92 generation of the M3 marked a before and after not only within the brand itself, but in automotive history. Today, the price of the M3 E92 remains stable, but very soon we may see it rising rapidly and becoming a true collector’s piece.