Top Unusual Engine Collaborations Between Automakers

Top Unusual Engine Collaborations Between Automakers

The automaker collaborations to share parts, platforms and powertrains are as old as the automotive industry itself

The collaboration between automakers is one of the most beautiful relationships that actually results in excellent vehicles for consumers in the market. With the help of these collaborations, automakers share their values, part, platforms and even the powertrains with each other, even the automakers in the same group share more than parts, and powertrains etc. the vital example of these collaborations is the VW group itself. VW group is one of the largest automakers in Europe. Even unrelated automakers ink such kind of collaborations and the VW group is not the only example in the automotive industry, there are hundreds of other examples where automakers share their values with each other across the globe. However, you can read more to know even more on this topic but the only one specific part which is – the engine. The powertrain collaborations would also be considered with the engines.

Here are some examples of the automakers who cannot even imagine that can get into such kind of collaborations in first place.

An SUV has been seen powered by a Ferrari engine, a French saloon series is using the Maserati engines and a Spanish hatchback comes with the Porsche engine, all these collaborations to get quality technologies for unusual automakers are always something unusual and it is very common in the automotive industry. Even Audi vehicles are being manufactured by FAW in China for the Chinese market. Let’s have a look at the similar unusual collaborations.

Alfa Romeo – Ferrari

It is clear that Ferrari is no longer part of the FCA group of companies in Europe but the collaborations between many automakers and Ferrari are still working. E.g. Alfa Romeo using the Ferrari engines in its Stelvio Quadrifoglio models. The entire engine has been developed by Ferrari motors. It is a 2.9 litre V6 engine with twin turbochargers and is capable of generating more than 500Hp. This Ferrari engine makes the Alfa Romeo SUV one of the most powerful SUV in the world with a benchmark speed of 62 miles per hour in only 3.2 seconds from a standstill position. It has a top speed of 176 miles per hour which is more than any top saloon in the market.

Aston Martin – Mercedes-AMG

Even if an automaker like Aston Martin only would think about to downsize its engines in the most famous model like DB11, it would be something that would draw some serious critics in the market. But the same happens a few years ago when Aston Martin replaces its V12 engines with the V8 engines by slashing one third of an engine. Aston Martin collaborated with the German automaker Mercedes-AMG to get engines from them. Then world saw an Aston Martin with an AMG engine. Looks strange? You are right it is strange but it happened. Aston Martin DB11 comes with an AMG 4.0 litre twin turbocharger engine. It is an AMG V8 unit and capable of generating 502hp of power. The all new DB11 reaches 0-62 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds which is something excellent to enjoy the ride of an Aston Martin DB11 with Mercedes AMG engine.

Citroen SM – Maserati

There is a majority of consumers who still consider Citroen vehicles as the most revolutionary cars ever. The SM model was introduced back in the 70s at the Paris motor show and it became famous due to its wild design and high riding position. It is still in the memories of its users because of something it was using under the hood, the Maserati engine. Yes, the SM was using a Maserati V6 engine.

Citroen and Maserati ink a document to share the engines with Citroen. Maserati providing engines to Citroen from 1965 to 1975. This way these two dissimilar automakers were in a collaboration to share engines. The SM was powered by a 2.7 litre V6 engine and it was a Maserati V6 capable of producing 170hp. Afterwards, Citroen started producing its own V6 engines.

Dodge – Volkswagen

If Maserati can make a collaboration with an automaker which is handling a totally different market in the UK, then why not Dodge and VW? Ford shakes hands with VW and the idea of toying a partnership remained successful. It was the first ever American and German collaboration in the history after WWII. On the other hand, diesel engines were never been popular in the US market however, Europe loves to have diesel engines. Dodge opted to get diesel engines from VW for its Avenger vehicles. Dodge opted Volkswagen 2.0 litre TDi engines and they never hesitate on buying engines from a German automaker. They hope for the success of the brand in Europe as well. The diesel version of the Avenger offers solid performance and efficiency with its 140 horsepower.

Lancia Thema 8.32 – Ferrari

Ever wondered, Lancia was involved in a collaboration with Ferrari? This is true, Lancia remained in collaboration with Ferrari, sharing a platform with Fiat Croma and Saab 9000. In the 80s, the Lancia was selling a conventional saloon called Thema, the model was using the Ferrari engines. The V8 Ferrari engines were not only the conventional engines but were being used in the Ferrari 308 models. The 2.9 litre V8 engines with 32 valves. The engines used in the Lancia Thema 8.32 models were used with several changes to the crankshaft and several other parts. This engine was capable of making 62 miles per hour in less than 8 seconds. It was the front wheel drive vehicle.

McLaren – BMW

One of the well-known automaker to produce speed vehicles, McLaren introduced the F1 model in 1990s and they collaborated with the German automaker BMW for the powerful engines. Apart from BMW, McLaren collaborated with Isuzu and Honda as well.

The M Performance division of BMW has helped McLaren to power the F1 with its specialized 6.1-litre V12 engines with an excellent power range of 635hp. The top speed of the F1 was rated at 239 miles per hour. It was capable of taking the 62 miles per hour benchmark speed of 3.2 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz – Renault

Again can you believe that Mercedes-Benz which is providing power plants to many automakers across the globe, and it’s a Class is using a French engine? It is true, Mercedes A Class models are powered by Renault engines. Daimler has made an agreement with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance for the engines outsourcing for its 2018 A Class models. an A Class 180d diesel engine comes from Renault engines, it is a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine making 115hp of power and a hefty torque of 191 lb-ft.

Mitsubishi – AMG

Just like Mercedes sourced engines from Renault, Mitsubishi is sourcing engines from AMG division of Daimler group. AMG tuned the 4G63 engines for Mitsubishi Galant. These four cylinder engines were capable of making 170hp from only 8000 rpm. The AMG tuned Galant is one of the most capable vehicles and it remained front wheel drive. Porsche also offered two engines for the vehicle and they are 1.2 litres and 1.5 litres. They produced 62 horsepower and 90 horsepower. Eventually, the most muscular engine produces 100hp of power. This engine was introduced in the SXI vehicles. There was a 1.7 litre diesel engine capable of generating the only 54hp.

Porsche 914 – Volkswagen

Porsche 914 is one of the most criticized models in the range of the automaker’s history. Porsche launched the 914 in the 1970s and co-developed the VW joint venture and was introduced with both four cylinder and six cylinder engines. Porsche offered three different engines for the 914 models in the US. All of these engines were sourced from the VW group.

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