Major six-pot appeal | Six of the Best
Flat, inline, vee, turbo'd, supercharged, narrow - time to celebrate the six-cylinder icons
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2017, 30k, £36,000
It might be said that the six-cylinder engine has come of age in the last ten years, owing to the likes of Ferrari and McLaren championing its use in a new generation of hybridised supercars. But that would be to ignore the many previous decades of excellence, where the most flexible configuration of petrol motor has long been revered as the go-to choice for virtually every carmaker with a performance or prestige model to power. The turbocharged V6 has risen to the top in recent years for its appealing mix of power, refinement and sonic presence. There are many to choose from, though you won’t find a more charismatic modern iteration than the one Alfa built to complement its first rear-drive chassis in a generation. The 2.9-litre lump, especially in the earlier examples, deserves its reputation for rapacious hard-charging. Little wonder it has earned a stay of execution.
Honda NSX, 2000, 12k, £156,850
While turbocharging helped the modern six-pot helped it to mimic the pumped-up torque delivery of larger capacity engines, you’d be right to argue that its most famous derivatives were naturally aspirated. We’ll come onto some of the most famous contenders not in vee shape - and readily concede that the Italians, courtesy of evocative names like Dino and Busso, deserve a reverential hat-tip for those that are - but we’ve gone for the V6 installed in the NSX, partly for Honda’s obsessive pursuit of mechanical perfection at the time - it was unique to the car, for one thing - and partly because you don’t need Stratos money to buy one now. Although if you want a very lovely and barely used one (either generation will do the trick, high-revving engine-wise), you will certainly be paying six figures. This UK-supplied example will do nicely.
BMW Z4M, 2007, 98k, £PH Auctions
If it’s a great straight-six you’re after, there really is only one manufacturer to call upon. Granted, the Japanese have a rich history of inline sixes, engines sufficiently famous to be known by 2JZ and RB26 codes alone, yet it is only BMW that has a whole back catalogue of them. Which continues to this day, of course, the 3.0-litre B58 and S58 pairing both pretty brilliant. But in the modern era it’s surely the S54 that is BMW’s most beloved straight-six, with its stunning soundtrack and rev-hungry character; undoubtedly it’s the USP of a car like the Z4M, a 21st century hot rod of the highest order, complete with manual gearbox and driver’s seat right over the rear wheels. This one still looks a million bucks and has had just two owners for 18 years and 100,000 miles of driving - don’t be surprised if the next owner is minded to do just the same.
Lotus Exige Cup 430, 2018, 26k, £77,595
From humble beginnings, the Toyota V6 employed by Lotus evolved into a properly exciting, exhilarating engine thanks mostly to supercharging. Its first outing was in the Evora, where its 280hp did just fine - but when the blower arrived in the Evora S the true potential began to show. And when that same supercharged 350hp variant found its way into the lighter S3 Exige, a new Lotus icon was born. What was fun in an Evora became feral in an Exige, only for Lotus to then crank the dial even further: an Exige 430 like this could reach 60mph as fast as a McLaren F1. By then, the noise had transformed, too, an exotic howl that belied its humble origins. Heck, even the manual was pretty good by the time Lotus had done fettling, and that really was some achievement. Little wonder, then, that the very best supercharged V6 Exiges are in demand: this 430 Cup is seven years and 26,000 miles old, yet commands almost £80k. Worth it, though - so, so worth it.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997), 2010, 16k, £209,900
When it comes to flat-sixes, what else could it be? If BMW is a manufacturer best known for one type of six-cylinder engine, the Porsche 911 is an entire model line totally defined by a single type of six-cylinder engine. Perhaps only the Corvette’s association with the V8 is more legendary than the 911’s with the flat-six, and that’s up for debate. It means plenty to choose from to best demonstrate the layout, from early 2.0-litres all the way to the latest hybridised e-turbos, but hopefully there will not be too many complaints about a Mezger nomination. With its roots in motorsport, the 3.6 became the foundation of all the best 21st-century 911s, eventually growing to 3.8 and 4.0 litres for the ultimate 997s. It was a hardy, thrilling, powerful flat-six, always with at least 100hp per litre in naturally aspirated form and boasting an unforgettable soundtrack. This RS, having been cared for by the selling dealer, seemingly wants for nothing. Apart from somebody else to experience the Mezger magic for themselves…
Volkswagen Corrado, 1996, 107k, £16k
The narrow-angled V6 is arguably a concept built on the shoulders of giants rather than a legend in its own right - but that does rather ignore its longevity and the sheer number of cars that the VW Group ended up powering with it. Also, of course, it is further evidence of the inherent adaptability of the six pot; try using a V8 to power a front-drive hatchback. Accordingly, while there are many later cars that received a VR6, we’ve gone with one of the originals: the unquestionably brilliant Corrado. As with everything else made rare by age and abandonment, you’ll pay a pretty sum for a nice one - though at £16k, this pampered later model in Moonlight Blue, is still the cheapest car here. And to the right buyer, no less of a legend than any other.
It had most of the ingredients that I like in a car don't get me wrong, but BMW made an absolute mess of it for whatever reason though for me. It's a duffer for me.
. Money no object, I’d take the Porsche although the rear spoiler is not the prettiest, accepting its aero is no doubt brilliant. Soft spot too for the Alfa, looks, sound, and to me at least, its rarity, I still don’t see many around 
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