Legendary Motor Matchup #9
Every Tuesday for 10 weeks, starting March 3, 2020, we will present one head-to-head challenge. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to cast your vote on each matchup. The results will tally on the Top 10 Legendary Motors page every week.
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APRIL 29–MAY 3
This head to head is one of our favourites, as it pits two of the most powerful, naturally aspirated, operatic flat-plane V8s on the planet, powering two thrilling, legendary machines that will soothe the savage beast, and do so in distinctly different manners—
The American Jack Hammer versus the Italian Scalpel.
FORD
Voodoo 5.2L V8
Okay, let us get right into all that is exciting about this motor.
Ford's Voodoo V8 is a hand-built, flat-plane-crank 5.2-litre screamer with a hellacious exhaust note, that is unlike any other American V8 on the market today, and may ever be. The staccato thrash that this motor builds all the way to its 8,250 redline will force anyone with a heartbeat to take notice and wonder, "is that even legal"?
Being the highest-revving V8 in Ford history, this rev-happy motor harbours in its belly a flat-plane crankshaft with throws spaced every 180 degrees like a four-cylinder, and yes, just like a Ferrari V8.
"Voodoo" is a development of the Coyote engine, developed specifically for the new generation Shelby GT350 and track-focused GT350R Mustang. It is the most powerful naturally aspirated road-going engine in Ford history, producing 526 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 429 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm.
This brilliant V8 is not only Ford's most powerful NA engine ever but also its most efficient in terms of specific output. Without turbocharging or supercharging, this screamer produces 102 horsepower per litre of displacement.
As marvellous as it is, this Voodoo has an insatiable thirst for oil and gas. Run it hard and it will drink premium at an alarming rate, averaging 10 mpg and consume a quart of oil every 500 miles under "severe use", according to Ford's owners manual.
The all-new naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V8 fits perfectly with the balanced dynamics of the Shelby GT350 and GT350R, and offers the driver a visceral driving experience, followed by woops and smiles.
The Shelby GT350 has the Voodoo, and it is magical.
ferrari
4.5L V8
The V8 in the back of the Ferrari 458 Italia won both the "Best Performance Engine" and the "Above 4-Litre" category at the 2011 International Engine of the Year awards, punching out 570 bhp at a feral 9,000 rpm howl!
Ferrari engineers designed the engine from a blank slate, with the design of the engine components influenced by the carry-over of racing technology from the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Team.
Though it's no longer in production, it's revered as one of the all-time great V8s. Like the Voodoo, it is equipped with a traditional flat-plane crankshaft, delivering its peak power right up to its 9,000 rpm redline.
Unlike the jack hammering thump of the Voodoo V8, the varying tone, pitch and resonance that this V8 makes can be played like a fine musical instrument. Ferrari states, "the exhaust system was designed to provide the kind of thrilling soundtrack owners of Ferrari V8s are used to". Would they be eluding to the F430 Scuderia and F355?
If the Ferrari 458 Italia is the complete package that has garnered over 30 international awards in its career, then the soul of this ride is undoubtedly its 9,000 rpm pounding heartbeat, if an inanimate piece of machine can possess such a thing.
Ahem, we think so!