These four-cylinder engines deliver the power you would expect from a V8: Jalopnik

While electric and hybrid powertrains are leading the performance race, when it comes to pure combustion engines, you’d think the only way to reach horsepower heaven is to get a stinking V8. But what if there was a cheaper way?

Despite having their own pros and cons, inline four-cylinder engines have come a long way, from efficient commuter engines to performance champions. These inline-fours push combustion technology and innovation to its limits, usually without the mainstay of electrification. We are also not talking about engines with a large cylinder capacity. Many standard four-cylinders that can match or even beat V8s are at the 2.0-liter threshold. Maybe we really only need one four-cylinder, two-liter turbo engine, standardized by all car companies. Rather than being designed as racing engines, they are made for production cars, so there has to be a degree of reliability as well.

Some of the strongest four-cylinders came in viable vehicles such as the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, the Mitsubishi Evo series and the Volvo S60 Polestar. Let’s join the hunt for some V8 killers.

To achieve this, the engine is equipped with smart technology and installation. The transverse engine had the exhaust manifold and turbocharger mounted at the rear and the intake at the front, an arrangement that allowed for shorter, free-flowing intake routes. The closed deck construction provided higher combustion pressures of up to 160 bar, and the oil sump was fitted with baffle plates to prevent oil starvation.

It also received high-quality parts such as forged aluminum pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, variable valve control, an aluminum crankcase, two-stage fuel injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger. Many of these additions were aimed at reducing engine friction and controlling heat. The cylinder liners featured Nanoslide coatings, while the turbocharger used roller bearings for reduced friction. On the high-output S models, the air conditioning is routed to the intercooler to cool the intake air, improving performance.

The 4B11T was a square engine with a bore and stroke of 86 mm. Unlike the 4G63T, it had an aluminum cylinder block, making it 30 pounds lighter than its predecessor. The engine featured a 16-valve DOHC head with Mitsubishi’s own MIVEC variable valve timing, a semi-closed deck engine block and a durable bottom end. Like the Mercedes-AMG M139, the engine has the exhaust manifold at the rear of the engine and uses a twin-scroll turbocharger.

On the FQ-440 MR, the engine looked less like a factory tune and more like a racer’s wet dream. It included an ECU remap, a Janspeed exhaust, intake and intercooler, and an HKS turbocharger. These updates brought the engine’s power to 440 horsepower and 412 pound-feet of torque. That is a specific power of 220 hp per liter! To put it into perspective, the overall performance of this engine is close to that of a modern 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8.

On its own, Volvo’s four-cylinder engine can deliver up to 367 horsepower and 347 pound-feet when massaged by Polestar for the 2017 S60. Like its predecessor, the T6, the engine was both turbocharged and supercharged. But it gets a bigger turbo and a stronger fuel pump, in addition to better valves, redesigned camshafts and a new intake. Performance hybridization isn’t necessarily a bad thing if we can have the cake and eat it too. After all, an extra electric push with the sound and fury of an internal combustion engine can be fun too.

Next we have the 2.3-liter inline-four Ford EcoBoost engine that powers both trucks and performance cars like the Mustang and Focus RS. In the hot hatch, the engine features a forged crankshaft and connecting rods, as well as a perforated engine deck for better cooling. This turbocharged inline-four pushes out 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet.

GM’s L3B TurboMax engine further shows how American performance engines aren’t always big, lumbering V8s. It is a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine, as seen in the Chevrolet Silverado and Colorado trucks. Considering its intended use in pickup trucks, the engine produces 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. It makes you wonder if turbocharged four-cylinder engines are really better than the V6s they replaced.

Finally, we have the iconic Honda K20C1 engine. This turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four legend is currently available in the Honda Civic Type R and Acura Integra Type S, delivering a healthy 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque in the latter.