Later, another increase of the compression ratio and a switch over to electronic fuel injection made another improvement in power to 228 kW (310 hp).

Over the course of introducing catalytic converter technology, including in Europe, the eight-cylinder engine received its most substantial redesign.

Its power limit was set by its low compression ratio, because initially, only standard unleaded gasoline was available in Europe.

After two years, a GT variant was built, which created 243 kW (330 hp), thanks to sharper valve timing control.

Three years after the turbocharged eight-cylinder engine made its debut, Porsche went to work to develop it into the engine of the Cayenne Turbo S. 383 kilowatts or 521 hp at 5,500 rpm – this made the new SUV the second most powerful production Porsche car ever built; behind the Carrera GT sports car.

In 2007, Porsche introduced an updated and reworked Cayenne model line-up, whose engines were switched over to gasoline direct injection.

In 2009, Porsche presented the Panamera as its fourth model line, and with the Gran Turismo, two more development stages of the eight-cylinder engines.

When the third, completely re-developed V-8 from Porsche went into production in 2013, it wasn’t the engine itself that was the primary focus of attention, rather it was its counterpart: the electric drive.

Rotating inside the eight-cylinder engine with its normal 90-degree cylinder bank angle, was a flat-plane crankshaft with 180-degree offset crank throws for the connecting rods.

The 3.4-litre 90-degree V8 racing engine was designed from scratch; and drove the rear wheels through a six-speed electro-pneumatic sequential gearbox.

Since its introduction in 2005 the engine, which initially produced 478 horsepower (356 kW) has been developed and modified to meet the changing regulations of both the ALMS and the ACO.

Porsche engineers created direct fuel injection with centrally located solenoid injectors – an especially efficient and low-emission combustion process.

Extensive lightweight design measures meant such features as titanium connecting rods and thin-walled low-pressure castings of the crankcase and the cylinder heads.

In addition to the ignition sequence, this is attributable first and foremost to what is known as the “top pipes”: the tailpipes stop at the upper part of the rear end right above the engine.