Some cars produce glorious sounds, others generate enormous power. All of them are exceptional. Here is a list of the best six-cylinder cars ever made, and yes, the CSL is included.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
Full of character and personality, the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 with its RB26 engine has become one of the greatest analog Japanese icons. The engine is a 24-valve inline-six with a pair of T25 turbochargers, delivering 276 horsepower and enough induction noise to make you unconsciously shout.
Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar promised the world an uncompromising V12 with the XJ220, but ended up compromising with a V6. The mockery quickly faded when people realized that this was a reworked Metro Group B rally engine, now enlarged to 3.5 liters and fitted with twin turbochargers. It set a production car speed record of 341 km/h. Behind the wheel was none other than Martin Brundle, the grid walk legend and Cara Delevingne’s best paddock pal.
BMW E46 M3 CSL
The controversial SMG transmission can be forgiven thanks to obsessive lightweight engineering and especially because of the glorious S54 inline-six engine. By tweaking camshafts and valves, BMW increased the CSL’s output to 355 horsepower, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in under five seconds. This might just be the best M car ever made, which says a lot.
Toyota Supra A80
Even though it’s now three decades old, the fourth-generation Toyota Supra still rules drag strips across the globe. Thanks to a thick steel head gasket, a forged crankshaft, and dual overhead cams, the 3.0-liter 2JZ engine can handle massive amounts of boost for short periods. That’s why owners can extract up to 2,000 horsepower from them with minimal fuss.
Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
It may not be the sexiest choice, but there’s plenty to admire in an engine known for its bulletproof reliability. The late 1990s were perhaps the golden era for AMC’s 4.0-liter inline-six. Producing around 190 horsepower in the Cherokee, it was strong, durable, and nearly indestructible.
Lancia Stratos
Even the name Lancia Stratos sounds special. Beneath its beautiful body, now over 50 years old, lies a naturally aspirated V6 jewel borrowed from Ferrari. Back then it was tuned to around 280 horsepower and was tasked with conquering the world of motorsport. It succeeded, winning three consecutive World Rally Constructors’ Championships and dominating road races like the Targa Florio. Oh Lancia, where did it all go wrong?
Honda NSX NA1
The first-generation Honda NSX came with various engine sizes and transmission options, but no matter what, you got a high-revving six-cylinder. It was the first production car to feature forged pistons and titanium connecting rods, things previously reserved for race cars. Combined with everyday usability and incredible reliability, the NSX made a strong case for being the supercar that saved its kind from extinction.
Ford Falcon XR6 Sprint
Our friends down under would object if we didn’t include Ford’s Barra engine on this list. The inline-six debuted in 2002 with the BA-series Falcon. Developed by Ford Australia and Tickford, it used the same block as the earlier 4.0-liter engine first introduced in 1988. Barra became a favorite in the tuning world thanks to its strength and simplicity. In its most extreme stock form, it powered the turbocharged 2016 XR6 Sprint with an astonishing 496 horsepower on overboost.
Mercedes-AMG ONE
Mercedes made a bold move by transplanting a Formula 1 world championship-winning engine into a road car. The resulting delays and technical challenges made the journey even tougher. But they pulled it off, and despite its flaws, the AMG ONE is brutally fast. It set the Nürburgring production car lap record with a time of 6 minutes and 35 seconds.
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
The 3.2-liter ‘Busso’ V6 in the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA sends 247 horsepower to the front wheels, but it’s the sound that truly matters. The glorious noise up to its 6,200 rpm redline is enough to earn a page in the Book of Genesis. Paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and weighing just 1,250 kilograms, this car has a very real claim to being the best hot hatch ever built.
Ferrari 296 GTB
A technical masterpiece and arguably the best supercar on sale today, the Ferrari 296 GTB is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with a hybrid system. It may not be the most “pure” engine on this list, but with 820 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque, it’s impossible to ignore. The fact that Ferrari nicknamed the engine “Piccolo V12” — the little V12 — tells you everything you need to know.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0
There was never a question whether a Porsche 911 with a Mezger engine would be included here, only which one. The 997 GT3 RS 4.0 was the final version of the 997 and the last time a true Mezger engine appeared in a road-going 911. The high-revving naturally aspirated flat-six was enlarged to 4.0 liters and produced 500 horsepower. A true masterpiece.
