Today often eclipsed by three-cylinders more in line with anti-pollution standards, four-cylinder engines nevertheless remain the spearhead of many sports cars. Panorama of the sharpest of them.
Two decades ago, to reach the symbolic bar of 300 horsepower, an atmospheric V8 engine was the minimum required. Today, it is not uncommon to see four-cylinder blocks doped, it is true, by a turbocharger, blithely exceed this level of power and flirt with 450 hp. Or a power worthy of the biturbo V8 of an Audi RS6 of the 2000s. Here is the list of the most powerful four-cylinder engines in the automotive landscape. Of course, these are not competition models but rather the four legs wisely housed under the hoods of production vehicles. The most telling example is undoubtedly that of the Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost which serves as the entry level for the “historical channel” variant with a V8 engine.
TO READ. 2018 Ford Mustang Review: Our Opinion on the Mustang EcoBoost and V8 GT
Honda S2000 (1999-2009) – 240 hp
Its 4-cylinder engine, 1997 cc3 (F20C), develops 240 horsepower, i.e. the highest specific power, at the time, for an naturally aspirated series engine (120 hp/l). Its maximum speed is 9000 rpm! The Honda S2000 has the best engine in the world for 4 consecutive years: 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
TO READ. Honda S2000. Retro test of the Mk2 version of 2006
Mini Cooper GP (since 2020) – 306 hp
The chic city car par excellence clearly changes register with this version equipped with virile aerodynamic appendages. The data sheet of the Mini JCW GP makes you dizzy: 306 hp, 450 Nm of torque, 5.2 s from 0 to 100 km/h and 265 km/h at top speed !
TO READ. Extreme test: the Mini John Cooper Works GP 3 takes on the Nürburgring
Caterham Seven 620R (2013) – 315 hp
This is the sharpest road version of the Caterham, as opposed to the Seven 170R version. Its strong Ford 2.0 Duratec engine with 315 hp at 7,000 rpm has a torque value of 296 Nm at 7,350 rpm. The 0 to 100 km/h is expedited in 2.79 s.
TO READ. Extreme test: the Caterham Seven 485 R at the Nürburgring!
Ford Mustang High Performance (2019) – 330 hp
To celebrate the legendary model’s 55th anniversary, Ford is adding a bit of sportiness to the “small” version powered by the four-cylinder 2.3 Ecoboost, offering customers the option of opting for the High Performance pack. The latter increases the power from 290 to 330 hp, thanks to a new turbo and an enlarged radiator. The torque climbs to 475 Nm, against 440 Nm originally.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2019) – 346 hp
In the United States, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI was the subject of a limited edition produced only in 200 units. Its 2.5 liter EJ257 boxer engine has been pushed to 346 hp and 450 Nm, respectively 46 hp and 43 Nm better than a standard STI.
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (2018-2020) – 365 hp
Known under the code MA2.22, this 2.5 boxer engine (that is to say with the 4 cylinders flat) delivers a respectable power of 365 hp for a torque value of 420 Nm. This block allows the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS launched in 2018 from spin at a speed of 290 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km in 4.6 seconds. In 2020, the manufacturer changed its tune, under the impulse of the purists, the 718 Cayman GTS returned to the six-cylinder 4.0 of 400 hp, while the 4-cylinder 2.5 was deflated to 350 hp under the hood of the Porsche 718 Cayman S.
Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar (2017-2018) – 367 hp
Before the reinforcement of hybridization which significantly increased the power of its four-cylinder engines in the current range (expect more than 400 hp), Volvo allowed itself a last last stand with the S60 sedan and V60 Polestar station wagon. Under the hood, the B4204T43 block with a displacement of 2 liters offered a power of 367 hp for a torque value of 470 Nm. If the top speed was limited to 250 km/h, the 0 to 100 km/h remained below the 5 s mark.
TO READ. Volvo V60 Polestar test drive: the two of us!
Ford Focus RS Mk3 Heritage (2018) – 375 hp
Its predecessor had the strong five-cylinder engine of 305 then 350 hp on the limited edition RS 500 to 500 units. The replacement is “satisfied” with a 4-cylinder 2.3 EcoBoost engine but without loss of power, its technical data sheet indicates 350 hp and 440 Nm (and even 470 Nm during the 15 seconds of overboost). At the end of its career, the RS Heritage version climbs to 375 hp and 510 Nm.
TO READ. 5-cylinder engine: the most famous models
Mercedes A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG (2013-2019) – 381 hp
When the Mercedes Class A leaves the habit of the minivan to endorse that of a rival compact sedan of the Audi A3 and BMW Series 1, it absolutely needs an engine to match. The so-called M133 block comes into play in 2013 with, available to the driver’s right foot, 360 hp and 450 Nm. in 2015, the tonic Class A like the CLA and the GLA then benefit from 381 hp and 475 Nm. It only takes the Class A 4.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h.
TO READ. Class A 45 AMG: a four-cylinder 360 horsepower for 50,000 euros
Mercedes A 45 S AMG (since 2019) – 421 hp
The second version of the Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG adopts, at entry level, a 387 hp variant. But if it opts for the S versions, the power then climbs to 421 hp at an engine speed of 6,750 rpm, and the torque value to 500 Nm. This block, baptized M139, is assembled by hand on the AMG site. located in Affalterbach, Germany. In the lightest A 45 S AMG of the lot, the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG S SUV also has this mechanism, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 3.9 seconds, while the top speed reaches 270 km/h.
TO READ. Extreme test: Mercedes-AMG Class A 45 S at the Nürburgring
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X (2014) – 446 hp
Here is the most powerful four-cylinder engine slipped under the hood of a production vehicle. It is the 2.0 liter block called FQ-440 MR of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X sold in 2014 only in the United Kingdom, which totals a power of 446 hp for a torque value of 559 Nm. The car was only produced in 40 units (they are all white). This sedan with all-wheel drive accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and goes to 252 km/h.
