Building cars is an incredibly complex endeavor, and automakers often find themselves needing a bit of outside assistance to bring a model to life. In some cases, this means two car companies will share a platform, each putting their own spin on it with unique styling and branding.
In other situations, it involves sourcing major components from different partners—one company might provide the engine, another the transmission, and so forth. Some of the most iconic vehicles ever produced owe their existence to this kind of strategic partnership.
In those latter cases, it’s widely accepted that a vehicle’s personality is heavily influenced by the engine it uses.
The engine plays a central role in defining a car’s character. You can nail the chassis dynamics, visual design, and suspension tuning—but if the engine can’t rise to the occasion, it all falls flat. That’s where things get tricky.
Developing a new engine from the ground up is extremely costly, which is why many automakers opt to use a tried-and-tested engine from another brand rather than investing resources in creating one themselves.
There’s no shortage of successful collaborations that took this approach, and highlighted 10 standout examples where a manufacturer decided to “borrow” an existing engine platform instead of starting from scratch.
As the list shows, this route often led to some of the smartest decisions these companies ever made.
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10. First-Gen Maserati GranTurismo (Ferrari V8)
Ask nearly anyone, and they’ll tell you the first-generation GranTurismo had two standout features: its elegant styling and its exceptional Ferrari-sourced V8 engine. Launched for the 2008 model year, the GranTurismo signaled a major return to form for Maserati, and one of its smartest moves was sourcing the powerplant from Ferrari.
The engine’s sound was unmistakable as it climbed through the rev range, and in the S variant, it produced a respectable amount of power. That said, the car never truly delivered the level of sportiness its aggressive design suggested.
The updated version now embraces its grand touring identity more confidently, and it’s arguably better off for it—though many enthusiasts feel that something was lost with the shift to the Nettuno V6, as the original V8 brought a unique character that’s hard to replicate.
Specification: Engine code – F136 U / F136 Y; Engine type – Naturally aspirated V8; Displacement – 4.2 liter / 4.7 liter; Power output – 405 – 454 hp; Torque – 339 – 384 lb-ft; Redline – 7,500 – 7,600 rpm.
9. Aston Martin Vantage (Mercedes-AMG V8)
Aston Martin has spent years working to reestablish itself as a legitimate rival to the world’s top performance brands. In the early 2000s, the company struggled to deliver consistent excellence, with its high prices not doing much to help its case.
Over the past decade, however, the brand has executed an impressive turnaround, and the Vantage has been a key part of that revival. Serving as Aston Martin’s entry-level offering, the Vantage combines striking aesthetics with a hand-built Mercedes-AMG V8 that complements the car’s character perfectly.
For the 2025 model year, both the car and engine have been significantly upgraded, now delivering 128 more horsepower and 85 more lb-ft of torque than before. With those enhancements, the Vantage’s standing is only set to rise further.
Specification: Engine code – M177; Engine type – Twin-turbocharged V8; Displacement – 4.0 liter; Power output – 656 hp; Torque – 590 lb-ft; Redline – 7,000 rpm.
8. Toyota Supra (BMW Inline-Six)
When Toyota made the decision to bring back the Supra, the company chose to collaborate with BMW to make it happen. This move sparked a fair amount of controversy, with many enthusiasts concerned that such a legendary nameplate might lose its distinct identity in the process.
However, most would agree that the car’s engine isn’t where the real issues lie. The B58 inline-six is, quite frankly, excellent. While it may not offer the same level of aftermarket tuning potential as the previous generation’s 2JZ-GTE inline-six, its stock performance is impressive, with a strong and linear torque curve that delivers satisfying power across the rev range.
Additionally, it’s earned a reputation as one of the most dependable engines of the modern era—something that can’t necessarily be said for many of Toyota’s current in-house engines.
Specification: Engine code – B58; Engine type – Turbocharged inline-six; Displacement – 3.0 liter; Power output – 382 hp; Torque – 368 lb-ft; Redline – 7,000 rpm.
7. Ariel Atom (Honda Inline-Four)
When it comes to street-legal vehicles that deliver the most extreme performance possible, the Ariel Atom is nearly impossible to ignore.
For over two decades, this British manufacturer has prioritized raw, unfiltered driving thrills, creating a car that’s about as close to a road-going go-kart as one can get. To power this minimalist machine, Ariel turned to Honda, utilizing the K20C1 turbocharged inline-four from the Civic Type R.
In a car that weighs just over 1,200 pounds, this engine transforms the Atom into an absolute rocket, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just under three seconds. Keeping the car on the road at those speeds requires genuine focus and skill—it’s not for the faint of heart.
Specification: Engine code – K20C1; Engine type – Turbocharged inline-4; Displacement – 2.0 liter; Power – 320 hp; Torque – 310 lb-ft; Redline – 7,000 rpm.
6. Pagani Utopia (Mercedes-AMG V12)
The Pagani Utopia carries on the brand’s long-standing relationship with Mercedes-AMG for its powertrains, and it’s a partnership that deserves no complaints.
As one of the last remaining V12-powered sports cars available today, the Utopia is everything you’d expect from Pagani—a rolling piece of art made even more impressive by its powertrain.
The M158 twin-turbocharged V12 delivers a staggering 851 horsepower to the rear wheels through either a seven-speed automatic or a seven-speed manual transmission.
A hand-built Mercedes engine is always a worthy centerpiece, especially when it happens to be the final V12 AMG is producing. There’s no telling how much longer we’ll be able to enjoy cars like this, but for now, we’re lucky to have them—and we’ll savor every moment while they last.
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Specification: Engine code – M158; Engine type – Twin-turbocharged V12; Displacement – 6.0 liter; Power output – 851 hp; Torque – 811 lb-ft; Redline – 6,000 rpm.
5. Toyota GR86 (Subaru Boxer-Four)
The Toyota GR86 continues the legacy of Toyota offering an accessible, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car—but it also serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls when relying on external partners for key components.
Like its predecessor, the current GR86 shares much of its mechanical DNA with Subaru, including its engine.
This time, the FA24 naturally aspirated flat-four produces a solid 228 horsepower, and the overall performance and dynamics have been significantly improved compared to the outgoing model.
Automotive journalists praised the GR86 upon release, but once the cars began reaching customers, troubling reports of catastrophic engine failures began surfacing.
The issue appears to stem from excessive silicone sealant used during the assembly of the oil pan, which in some cases led to blockages and ultimately severe engine damage.
While most of these problems seem to have been addressed, it’s not surprising that Toyota is now aiming to handle engine development in-house for its next-generation sports car.
Specification: Engine code – FA24; Engine type – Naturally aspirated flat-four; Displacement – 2.4 liter; Power output – 228 hp; Torque – 184 lb-ft; Redline – 7,400 rpm.
4. Koenigsegg CC8S (Ford V8)
When Christian von Koenigsegg set out to create his first supercar, he chose a Ford Modular V8 as the foundation for its powerplant.
This 4.7-liter V8 engine was extensively modified to produce 655 horsepower, propelling the CC8S into the spotlight and establishing Koenigsegg as a serious contender in the high-performance automotive world.
The car made an instant impression, not just for its design but for the raw power and innovation it brought to the table. This debut ultimately paved the way for Koenigsegg to begin developing its own engines, which now power the company’s cutting-edge megacars.
It’s remarkable to consider that this all began with an engine architecture also found in the Ford Crown Victoria—an unlikely starting point for one of the most exclusive performance brands on the planet.
The Koenigsegg CC8S marked the Swedish automaker’s ambitious entry into the supercar world and remains a pivotal moment in automotive history.
When Christian von Koenigsegg set out to build his first production car, he chose to power it with a heavily modified version of Ford’s Modular V8 engine—a 4.7-liter supercharged unit.
Though the base engine was sourced from Ford, the enhancements made by Koenigsegg elevated it to an entirely new level, pushing out an impressive 655 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.
This setup allowed the CC8S to achieve staggering performance figures for its time and gave the brand instant credibility among high-performance manufacturers. The decision to use the Ford V8 was as much about practicality as it was about potential; the modular design offered a solid foundation for tuning and innovation.
What’s remarkable is that this same engine architecture was found in vehicles as mundane as the Ford Crown Victoria, yet in Koenigsegg’s hands, it became the heart of a groundbreaking hypercar.
The CC8S not only put Koenigsegg on the map but also laid the foundation for the brand’s evolution into a cutting-edge manufacturer of in-house developed engines and record-breaking machines.
Specification: Engine code – Ford Modular V8; Engine type – Supercharged V8; Displacement – 4.7 liter; Power output – 655 hp; Torque – 553 lb-ft; Redline – 7,200 rpm.
3. Lotus Emira (Mercedes-AMG Inline-Four and Toyota V6)
Lotus has never shied away from borrowing engines from other manufacturers, and its longstanding relationship with Toyota is a testament to that approach. With the Emira, Lotus maintained this tradition by offering two engine choices: a supercharged Toyota V6 as the flagship option and a turbocharged four-cylinder sourced from Mercedes-AMG as a more efficient alternative.
The V6 brings a touch of familiarity to longtime fans of the brand, while the smaller AMG unit helps the Emira align with modern efficiency standards. Neither engine offers earth-shattering performance figures on paper, but as with every Lotus, the true magic lies in the driving experience and precision handling.
Looking ahead, the plan is to eventually phase out the V6 option to stay in line with tightening emissions regulations, although the exact timeline for that transition remains unclear.
Specification:
Mercedes-AMG Engine – Engine code: M139; Engine type: Turbocharged inline-four; Displacement: 2.0 liter; Power output: 360 hp; Torque: 295 lb-ft; Redline: 7,200 rpm.
Toyota Engine – Engine code: 2GR-FE; Engine type: Supercharged V6; Displacement: 3.5 liter; Power output: 400 hp; Torque: 317 lb-ft; Redline: 7,000 rpm.
2. Donkervoort F22 (Audi Inline-Five)
If you’ve never heard of Donkervoort, you’re not alone. This Dutch supercar manufacturer remained under the radar for many years, as its vehicles were only available outside of the U.S. until recently.
Much like other boutique performance brands such as Lotus, Caterham, and Ariel, Donkervoort’s mission has always been clear—build ultra-lightweight cars with as much performance as possible.
To achieve this goal in their F22 model, the company turned to one of the most celebrated engines of the modern era: the 2.5-liter turbocharged Audi inline-five.
This engine, coded EA855, is a legend in its own right, widely acclaimed and currently found only in the Audi RS3. Seeing it put to use in a purpose-built, lightweight supercar like the F22 is a win for enthusiasts, especially as this engine nears the end of its production life.
Specification: Engine code – EA855; Engine type – Turbocharged inline-five; Displacement – 2.5 liter; Power output – 492 hp; Torque – 472 lb-ft; Redline – 7,200 rpm.
1. McLaren F1 (BMW V12)
Very few cars have ever achieved the kind of legendary status that the McLaren F1 holds, and that reputation has only intensified over time—reflected by the astronomical values it commands today. Designed by the visionary Gordon Murray, the car was born out of a desire to create the ultimate driving machine.
That dream took shape after Murray test drove a Honda NSX, which inspired much of the F1’s ethos. Initially, he approached Honda to produce a bespoke V10 or V12 for the project, but after they declined, he turned to BMW.
The German automaker accepted the challenge, building a naturally aspirated V12 engine to Murray’s exacting standards, including the strict requirement of no forced induction.
The end result was the S70/2—a 6.1-liter powerhouse that helped create what is still widely considered one of the greatest driving cars ever made, and the fastest production car in the world until the Bugatti Veyron came along.
Specification: Engine code – S70/2; Engine type – Naturally aspirated V12; Displacement – 6.1 liter; Power output – 618 hp; Torque – 480 lb-ft; Redline – 7,500 rpm.