Listen to the Ford Coyote V8 Hypercar Start Up for Its Initial Run
Ford Racing
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Ford is about to make waves in the World Endurance Championship by racing a naturally aspirated, 5.4-liter, Coyote-based V8 in the premier Hypercar class. While the manufacturer has recently competed (and won) at Le Mans with a twin-turbo, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, it’s opting for a more classic approach for 2027. And if that doesn’t get you thrilled, perhaps hearing the engine's first start will do the trick.
Displayed here without bodywork, Ford’s WEC hypercar is constructed on an Oreca chassis. The V8 is integrated with a standardized hybrid system for the class, and significantly, it was operational during the significant initial start. This represents a crucial achievement for the team, as Ford Racing WEC Hypercar Program Manager Dan Sayers noted, adding that the engine was “engineered, developed, and built in-house at our facility in Michigan.”
“The engine firing at ORECA isn’t just a symbolic moment—it’s an essential validation step,” said Sayers in a press release. “We’re handling everything related to the engine in-house, which allows us to respond and learn more quickly, ultimately benefitting the production side of the business. Hearing the Coyote V8 roar to life in its designated environment for the first time confirmed that months of integration work between the powertrain and chassis teams were successful.”
I won’t keep you from your excitement any longer. Here’s the clip:
Built by the team. Ready for the track. Go Like Hell.
Sounds exhilarating and raspy, doesn’t it? While a stationary audio clip doesn’t provide a complete assessment, this dual overhead cam engine could rival the Cadillac hypercar. Just listening to the transition from electric to engine power is enough to win over many fans.
That’s WEC Hypercar Program Manager Dan Sayers on the left. Ford Racing.
The Drive’s Deputy Editor Jerry Perez chatted with Sayers recently, inquiring why Ford chose to develop a new, scratch-built V8 instead of another turbocharged V6. Sayers provided a straightforward response:
“We considered both turbocharged and naturally aspirated options— and with the naturally aspirated, if you can meet the performance goals, the mass, or the power, along with torque control, then the absence of turbos and intercoolers simplifies installation. There are fewer potential issues in endurance racing, and we prefer to keep things straightforward. Simple is effective for endurance racing.”
Clearly, it’s appreciated by the fans as well.
Have a tip or question for the author? Reach out directly at: caleb@thedrive.com
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