Size Doesn't Matter: These 150 MPH+ Cars All Pack Tiny Engines

By Danie Botha

Bigger is better, right? Well, mostly. But not always. Like the cars that feature in this list. These cars all come with small-capacity engines that have enough power to propel them to at least 150 mph. Some of them will even get closer to 200 mph.

Some of these small capacity engines feature some of the latest technology, like Koenigsegg's Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG) engine, which has no camshafts. Others, like Ferrari's two-liter V8, makes big power courtesy of a big, beautiful turbocharger. And then there's also the likes of Alfa Romeo's magnificent, naturally-aspirated two-liter V8 engine that makes nearly 250 hp. This is the realm of the tiny engines with big power.

Note

Smaller is better in this line-up, as we tracked down 10 production cars with small-capacity engines that can reach 150 mph. This list excludes small-capacity engines used in motorsport applications (there are quite a lot of those). Cars are listed according to horsepower ratings.

Lotus Elise SC

Power: 217 hp

The legendary Lotus Elise's secret sauce is its lightness, and it weighs in at around 1,800 pounds. The first generation Elise was powered by a 1.8-liter Rover engine, but Lotus later replaced it with Toyota's 2ZR-FE 1.8-liter engine. The high-revving, super-reliable engine proved more than sufficient to propel the light Elise around racetracks at ridiculous speeds.

To cater for drivers who require even more power, Lotus added a supercharger, specially designed for this application. With the supercharger in the game, the Elise produced 217 hp... enough for the little sports car to reach 150 mph. Lotus used the supercharged engine for a number of years, and in some models it eventually produced almost 250 hp.

R56 Mini Cooper S JCW GP

Power: 218 hp

The R56 Mini Cooper S came with a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, hailing from a collaboration between BMW and French manufacturers Peugeot and Citroën. In 2006, a turbocharger replaced the first-generation R56's supercharger, adding more torque. The John Cooper Works (JCW) performance division gave us the full-fat GP package, which ensures the small-capacity engine makes up to 218 hp.

The limited edition GP came standard with adjustable Bilstein coilover suspension, upgraded Brembo brakes, and semi-slick tires, plus the rear seats were deleted to save weight, it came with special Recaro front seats, and it featured a bunch of aerodynamic upgrades. A manual six-speed gearbox sent the power to the front wheels.

Ferrari 208 GTB Turbo

Power: 220 hp

Ferrari, and several other Italian brands, took advantage of a unique Italian tax break for cars with engine capacities of less than 2,000cc, making cars with engines smaller than that capacity much more affordable. Ferrari was never going to install a puny four-cylinder engine, or even a V6. So the company's engineers created a two-liter V8 engine, which initially saw service in the Ferrari 208, producing 155 hp and revving to more than 7,000 rpm.

By 1986, Ferrari added a turbocharger to the small-capacity V8, increasing power to 220 hp, gifting the 208 GTB Turbo with a 150 mph top speed. It is an extremely rare machine today, with just over 300 cars ever made. You'll need around $200,000 to park one in your driveway.

BMW i8

Power (engine only): 231 hp

The BMW i8 is a trend-setting hybrid, boasting a combined 374 hp, and the ability to blast to 60 mph in just over four seconds, and go on to a limited top speed of 155 mph (it will reach around 170 mph without the limiter). The hybrid drivetrain is very impressive, but it's the tiny 1.5-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine's 231 hp that really sets it apart from other sports cars. The tiny BMW Twin Power engine is located over the rear axle, and drives the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

A 143 hp electric motor drives the front wheels via a two-speed automatic gearbox. The B38 three-cylinder engine was also used in other BMW passenger cars, but the version in the i8 is the most powerful one of all.

Alfa Romeo 4C

Power: 237 hp

The Alfa Romeo 4C is powered by a 1.75-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, yet it packs 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 160 mph, the 4C is properly fast. The Italian sports car, which was made between 2013 and 2020, has a lightweight carbon fiber tub, and the compact turbocharged engine is mid-mounted, driving the rear wheels. The result is a super-light sports car that handles as if it is on rails. The small-capacity is surprisingly vocal too, as befits a true Italian sports car.

A magnificent example of the sports car species, with all the character, show and noise to make any gearhead's heart skip a few beats.

Sources: Respective automakers.

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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.