The German V10 assault had a further twist when Audi unleashed its S6 and S8 not too long ago. In a brave but logical move, Audi poached the Lamborghini Gallardo’s V10 powerhouse for its two largest sedans. While both were de-tuned slightly, the S6 got the shorter end of the stick to make way for the RS 6 that’s due soon. Still packing a wholesome 320kW and 540Nm, it’s good for a 5.2-second 0-100km/h run at the coast and puts its power to the road via Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel drive transmission.

Like the M5 it offers all the creature comforts of a luxury limo, while its bigger S8 sibling takes all this a step further. The alloy-bodied hulk uses a 331kW version of the same engine and gets from 0-100 in 5.1 seconds. The S8 boasts an even suppler ride, yet it still has the makings of a true sports sedan with road holding that’ll please any enthusiastic driver shopping in this neck of the woods.

Yet today’s V10 magic propels more than just sports cars and super sedans – there’s even an SUV entrant in the form of Volkswagen’s Touareg V10 TDI. Yes, it’s the only diesel of its kind and it thrusts this luxury off-roader forward with consummate ease thanks to its 230kW/750Nm output, and there’s that economy advantage too. There’s really nothing to sniff at its 7.15-second 0-100km/h run we achieved at altitude, or 15.4-second quarter mile.

And to think, this is a practical, spacious and luxurious barge with a clever four-wheel drive system that will hold its own in most off-road situations. This is the ultimate all-rounder, we’d say.

We’ve left the wild card of this pack for last and for this you’ll have to cast your mind back to the Dodge Viper we mention first. Now imagine the latest incarnation of this engine strapped into the engine bay of a bakkie. Not just any bakkie, but the full-sized Ram — Chrysler’s answer to the world’s best selling vehicle, the Ford F150. Kind of crazy, ain’t it? Yes, we’re talking an 8.3-litre, 373kW V10 that claims to shunt this mega truck from 0-96km/h in under 5 seconds.

Despite specially tuned suspension and 22-inch wheels, this is still a bakkie at heart, so don’t even think of asking us how it handles. Quite frankly we don’t want to know. But we kind of like it and wouldn’t mind adding one to our long-term fleet when our Ute finally departs.

So there you have it — if ever you thought that the V10 market lacked a machine for every reason, this crowd will prove you sorely wrong. Best of all, we hear there’s a lot more to come…