Comparison of the latest naturally-aspirated engines: V10 vs Flat 6 vs V8 Ferrari

The Tecnica is Lamborghini's latest evolution of the V10. It comes after the STO and Sterrato, and closes a historic chapter for the brand. The same engine block as its predecessors: a naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 with 640bhp and 585Nm of torque. No turbo, no hybridisation, pure rear-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and an architecture designed for driving pleasure.

We've seen this engine evolve over more than ten years in the Audi R8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracán. It has become more powerful, but it has always retained its DNA: a rapid rev-up, a distinctive sound and a thrilling driving experience.

On the track, the Tecnica is efficient and pleasant, but not radical. Its braking could do with more grip, especially with more track-oriented tyres. It's still a relatively accessible car, less brutal than an STO, but just as engaging when you start to pick up the pace.

Compared with some of its hybrid rivals, which have more than 800 or 900bhp, the Tecnica 's 640bhp may seem fair on paper. But in use, the car makes up for it with its balance, its honed chassis and, above all, its lively engine. It may not be the fastest, but it's there for the thrills.

And that's exactly what we came for.

This 458 Speciale is a car we know well. We prepared it a few years ago, and it remains a benchmark in terms of sensations. Under the bonnet is a naturally-aspirated 4.5-litre V8, producing 605 bhp as standard. No assistance, no filter: a raw engine with a strong character.

This is undoubtedly one of the most expressive cars in the comparison. The sound is exceptional, the engine revs furiously, and each acceleration is accompanied by a mixture of brutality and harmony that is unheard of today. It doesn't have the grip or the rigour of a GT3 RS, but that's not what you expect from it. It speaks to the gut.

Despite its age, it stands up to its rivals. It's proof that the specification sheet doesn't tell the whole story. Where some cars shine for their efficiency, the 458 shines for its generosity and its ability to generate commitment.

When you follow it around the track, the noise alone is enough to remind you why this V8 atmo is so beloved. It's an emotional machine, reminding us at every moment why we love cars so much.

We end this comparison with the Porsche 992 GT3 RS. This is probably the most technically accomplished of the three. Its naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat 6 engine, capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm, is a piece of goldsmithery. It's not there to make noise, but to do the job, with formidable efficiency.

What stands out from the first few laps is the grip and braking. The car sticks to the track, absorbs vibrators without flinching, and offers a level of confidence on the attack that is rarely found elsewhere. The chassis is rigid, the settings are surgically precise, and even as a passenger, you immediately feel the compactness of the whole package.

It doesn't have the explosive character of a Ferrari, nor the brutal charm of a Lambo, but it puts everyone in agreement on a timed lap. In this video, we're not looking for the fastest time, but in a trackday context, the GT3 RS is the fastest.

And this may well be the last time we get to enjoy a naturally-aspirated flat 6 in a 911 of this calibre. Porsche may be moving towards turbocharging even on the sportiest versions. So we savour every minute behind the wheel, like a rare privilege.

Comparison of the different cars in a few figures

The aim of this comparison was not to pick a winner, but to pay tribute to three unique machines, powered by naturally-aspirated engines that may be living out their final years of glory.

The Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica represents accessibility and attachment to a legendary engine architecture. The Ferrari 458 Speciale embodies pure, raw, uncompromising emotion. And the Porsche GT3 RS takes rigour and precision to an almost clinical level, but one that is formidably effective.

Three cars, three characters, three ways of understanding and experiencing performance. When you compare them, you realise just how much they complement each other. The V10 sings, the V8 vibrates, the flat 6 sculpts the track.

And we realise how lucky we are to still have them in our hands.