Skip to main content

Think gas is in the past? The quad-turbo Devel Sixteen has 5,000 reasons why you’re wrong

Devel Sixteen V16 5000HP Engine Dyno
When the Devel Sixteen supercar was first unveiled at the 2013 Dubai Motor Show, its performance claims weren’t so much ambitious as they were downright absurd — 5,000 horsepower, 0 to 60 in 1.8 seconds, and a top speed of 348 mph. Yes, 348 mph. That all sounds great on paper, but numbers like that rarely come to fruition.
Recommended Videos

In a giant, fossil-burning step toward legitimacy, the company has released a new video of the car’s quad-turbo, 12.3-liter V16 taking a few runs on the dyno. With 92-octane pump fuel and 20 psi of boost, the monstrous powerplant produced a whooping 3,006 horsepower and 2,407 pound-feet of torque. With a diet of race gas and 36 psi, however, the engine pushed out a staggering 4,515 hp and 3,519 lb-ft.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

It’s a hair short of the V16’s claimed 5,000 hp, but the engine is actually rated for a higher output than that. According to the video, the dyno simply “could not hold any more power.”

Devel Sixteen

Built by Michigan-based manufacturer Steve Morris Engines, the massive 16-cylinder is crafted from aluminum, and is actually built around a single billet crankshaft that took nearly eight months to make. The car is also rear-wheel drive, which makes us wonder how it could possibly channel all that power to the ground.

Regardless of the vehicle’s usability (or lack thereof), the Devel Sixteen is an engineering marvel with incredible styling to boot. Its carbon fiber body looks like a mashup between the Lamborghini Egoista and the Tim Burton-era Batmobile, and it will likely be just as rare if it ever goes on sale. The company has made no announcements regarding availability for the vehicle yet, but if the engine is any indication, the news will surely make a lot of noise.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
These new NASA EVs will drive astronauts part way to the moon (sort of)
NASA's new crew transportation electric vehicles.

Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week. The zero-emission vehicles, which will carry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B for Artemis missions, were delivered by Canoo Technologies of Torrance, California. NASA/Isaac Watson

NASA has shown off a trio of new all-electric vehicles that will shuttle the next generation of lunar astronauts to the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center.

Read more
5 upcoming EVs I’m excited for, from luxury SUVs to budget champions
Lotus Eletre

Almost every major automaker has released an EV by now -- or plans to soon -- and makers like Ford and Kia already have a variety to choose from. But if you haven't found one that's right for you yet, hang tight. There are dozens of announced electric car models that have yet to come out, and it's clear that the future of EVs is bright.

From longer range to lower prices, the next batch of EVs gives us plenty to get excited about. Here are five upcoming EVs that we can't wait to drive.
Volvo EX30

Read more
Tesla shows off first Cybertruck after two years of delays
The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility.

The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility. Tesla

Tesla has shown off the first Cybertruck to roll off the production line at its new Gigafactory plant in Austin, Texas.

Read more