Top 5 most powerful six-cylinder engines on sale in Australia

With technological developments and today's increasingly eco-minded social climate, car makers are increasingly ditching the extra cylinders and squeezing more and more grunt out of the classic six-banger. Here are the five most powerful six cylinder engines on sale today.

1. Nissan GT-R Nismo

441kW Torquey and powerful 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 defines Nissan’s explosive GT-R, made even better with the recent arrival of flagship Nismo model, which ups power from 419kW in regular models.

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2. Porsche 911 Turbo S

427kW One of the few petrol engines with variable-geometry turbochargers, the 911 Turbo muscles up early with prodigious torque before unleashing its ferocious power peak high in the rev range.

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3. Alfa Giulia QV

375kW ‘Ferrari inspired’ 2.9-litre lump ramps up its torque delivery as you ascend through the gears to deliver potent performance. Can also shut down a bank under part load to save fuel.

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4. BMW M4 GTS

368kW More highly strung GTS wrings a heady 368kW out of BMW’s smooth inline six. Even the 331kW from the Competition models or 317kW from the regular M3/M4 make for good – and quick – times.

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5. Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

331kW Now the shrieking 368kW GT3 RS has disappeared it’s the muscular 331kW GTS that powers onto this list. Bigger turbos bring more muscle than a regular Carrera S.

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This article was originally published in Wheels Magazine April 2017.