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

By Andrew Hard December 11, 2015

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.

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 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

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.

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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…

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