Sorry I missed the evolvement of this thread, but when I first saw it I thought about the post I made about the comparison of the Viper, the Gallardo and the SL55. Three different engines, and more or less the same power output and corresponding performance. From this lot I would chose the V10 (Gallardo??), as I assume that the 7 litre V8 is just low tech american OHV lump. The V6 looks like the Jaguar XJ220 engine, which is quite nice also.Originally Posted by Egg Nog
Coming back to the more exotic engines, and what Matracien is reporting, yes there has been a Honda in line 6 cylinder 250cc motorcycle engine that was used in the mid sixties (also used as a 350 cc version), which did well over 20000 revs. These motorcylces were present at the 2002 Festival of Speed, but I did not hear them run. ( I have added a picture but with the faring on, you can't see the engine, but if you are in modelling you can actually buy a 1/9 scale model of bike, produced by Protar)
I never heard the sound of the Matra, but what I did hear was the 1500 cc BRM V16, F1 engine from the early fifties. There has been a thread on this forum about the best sounding engine ever, and somebody posted a recording of this sound. Incredible, see if you can find it. The car posted here is the one owned by Nick Mason, of Pink Floyd fame.
I have also added the 2500 CC V12 maserati as appeared in the 250F, not because it is such a good engine but because I like the picture.
Finally, coming back to the original question, the engine I would go for might have been the V10 VAG diesel, but for people who have read my postings before that should not be a surprise.