The thrill of a Formula One (F1) engine is an experience reserved for the racetrack—except for a select group of road-legal cars that integrate F1 powertrains into their design. These high-performance machines combine the technological brilliance of F1 racing with street usability.
While F1-derived engines are rare due to strict emissions regulations and high maintenance costs, the vehicles that house them stand as some of the most extreme road cars ever built. This article explores ten road-legal cars that feature F1 engines, ranked by horsepower.
1. Mercedes-AMG One: A Five-Year Dream Come True
One of the most anticipated road cars in recent history, the Mercedes-AMG One is a hypercar that brings F1 technology to the streets. Its development faced numerous challenges, particularly in adapting the power unit to meet emissions regulations.
The AMG One is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged V-6 engine directly derived from the power unit used in Mercedes’ championship-winning F1 cars. The engine revs up to an impressive 11,000 RPM and is supplemented by four electric motors, delivering a combined output of 1,063 horsepower.
This cutting-edge hybrid system enables the AMG One to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 218 mph. With only 275 units produced, each priced at $2.72 million, it remains an ultra-exclusive masterpiece of automotive engineering.
2. Porsche Carrera GT: The Last Analog Supercar
The Porsche Carrera GT houses an engine initially designed for F1 racing but never saw competition. Instead, Porsche refined the engine for road use, resulting in one of the most beloved naturally aspirated V-10s ever made.
The Carrera GT features a 5.7-liter V-10 engine that produces 612 horsepower and revs up to 8,000 RPM. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, it provides an exhilarating driving experience.
This supercar sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and achieves a top speed of 205 mph. Originally intended for the Footwork F1 team, Porsche’s V-10 found new life in the Carrera GT, which became a collector’s favorite, limited to just 1,270 units.
3. Ferrari F50: A V-12 Symphony
The Ferrari F50 took a different approach by utilizing a naturally aspirated V-12, derived from Ferrari’s Tipo 641 F1 car. Unlike its predecessor, the turbocharged F40, the F50 focused on delivering an F1-like experience for the road.
Under the hood, the F50 houses a 4.7-liter V-12 engine capable of producing 520 horsepower at 8,500 RPM. The powerplant is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, ensuring a pure and engaging driving experience.
The car rockets from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 202 mph. Only 349 units were ever made, with an even rarer F50 GT track variant pushing output to an astonishing 720 horsepower.
4. BMW E60/E61 M5 & E63/E64 M6: The Only Road-Going BMW V-10
BMW’s S85 V-10 engine was directly influenced by the P84/5 F1 power unit used in the 2005 BMW Williams FW27 racecar.
This naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-10 generates 507 horsepower and redlines at 7,750 RPM. It enables the E60 M5 and E63 M6 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 203 mph with the limiter removed.
Despite its F1 heritage, the engine required frequent maintenance, particularly with rod-bearing replacements, making it both an exhilarating and demanding powertrain.
5. Yamaha OX99-11: A Motorcycle Giant’s F1 Venture
The Yamaha OX99-11 was a bold attempt by Yamaha to bring an F1-powered supercar to life, using a detuned version of its OX99 V-12 F1 engine.
This lightweight prototype featured a 3.5-liter V-12 engine producing 400 horsepower. With a screaming 10,000 RPM redline, it delivered a raw and high-revving experience.
The OX99-11 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and achieved a top speed of 217 mph. Only three units were built, featuring a tandem-seating layout and a striking canopy design, making it one of the rarest F1-inspired road cars.
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6. Mercedes 300 SLR: A Priceless Classic
The Mercedes 300 SLR is one of the most valuable cars in history, sharing its engine design with the W196 F1 car.
Powered by a 3.0-liter inline-eight engine, the 300 SLR produces 310 horsepower and propels the car from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. While not the fastest by modern standards, its top speed of 186 mph was groundbreaking in the 1950s.
Recently selling for €135 million, it is one of the most expensive cars ever, solidifying its place in automotive history.
7. Alfa Romeo Montreal: The Grand Touring F1 Connection
The Alfa Romeo Montreal housed a larger version of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale’s F1-derived engine, designed for more practical road use.
Its 2.6-liter V-8 engine produces 230 horsepower and allows for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 5.9 seconds. With a top speed of 139 mph, it may not have been the fastest F1-inspired road car, but it remains a significant link to Alfa Romeo’s motorsport heritage.
8. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: A Race Car for the Road
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was based on the Tipo 33 racing prototype and featured a high-revving F1-derived V-8.
Its 2.0-liter V-8 engine generates 227 horsepower and revs up to 8,800 RPM, delivering an incredibly engaging driving experience. With a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 162 mph, the 33 Stradale remains one of the most exciting cars of its era. Only 18 units were ever built, making it a highly sought-after collector’s piece.
9. BMW 02 Series: A Humble F1 Connection
The BMW 02 Series may not seem like an F1-powered car, but its M10 engine formed the basis for BMW’s dominant 1.5-liter F1 turbo engine.
Its 2.0-liter inline-four engine produces 100 horsepower, enabling a 0 to 60 mph time of 12.0 seconds and a top speed of 104 mph. Though modest in power, the M10 engine’s adaptability laid the foundation for BMW’s later success in Formula One, making it an important part of the brand’s motorsport history.
10. Renault Clio V6: A Mid-Engine Hot Hatch with F1 Inspiration
The Renault Clio V6 took inspiration from Renault’s involvement in F1 and created a unique mid-engine hot hatch with racing DNA.
Powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine producing 255 horsepower, the Clio V6 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 153 mph. Its wide-body design and mid-engine layout made it a truly special road car with F1 heritage.
The fusion of F1 engineering and road car usability remains a rare feat. Each of these vehicles, from the modern AMG One to classics like the 300 SLR, showcases the extraordinary potential of racing technology in street-legal machines.
While emissions regulations and maintenance challenges limit their prevalence, these cars stand as testaments to the thrill and ingenuity of motorsport-inspired road cars. Whether through V-10 screams or turbocharged dominance, each of these models delivers a driving experience like no other.
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