The horsepower wars are upon us. No, I'm not talking about the great horsepower, or rather, displacement wars, between sportbike manufacturers in the late 1990s which ultimately led to a Gentleman's Agreement. No, I'm talking about the horsepower wars that are currently being waged among side-by-side manufacturers.
It began with Polaris' RZR, which was then trumped by Can-Am's Maverick X3 series. Polaris would up the ante with the RZR Pro R, followed suit by Can-Am Maverick R. Kawasaki's has also entered the picture and thrown down the gauntlet with the brand's new Teryx H2, a 250 horsepower supercharged maniac. Heck, maybe even Toyota is getting in on it, too. You could also, theoretically, include the all-electric Vanderhall Brawley, which boasts a whopping 400 horsepower.
You could, I wouldn't.
But even with all the different engine configurations, all the different forced induction applications, and different manufacturers, the one thing we don't have is a high-revving, naturally-aspirated screamer. Something that's reminiscent of the motorcycle engines most of these side-by-side companies also produce. An engine that'll thrill even the most dead inside of souls. Well, maybe this 2.1-liter four-cylinder that revs to 10,000 and dubbed "Ten-K" could do the trick?
The engine comes from Boreham Motorworks, a small outfit out of the UK which specializes in old Ford racers (h/t The Drive), including the brand's old rally and touring car machines. It's a dual-overhead cam 2.1-liter four-cylinder engine with individual throttle bodies and, because of some fancy-pants billet internal components, can rev to 10,000 rpm. Did I also mention the whole thing weighs only 187 pounds?
Woof.
According to Boreham Motorworks, "A motorsport derived belt driven twin-cam with modern electronics, the Boreham TEN-K blends unfiltered performance with cutting-edge control. Built with lightweight internals and billet components – including the crank, rods, cradle, dry sump and cam cover – it delivers fast, direct throttle response. A 16-valve head with F1-inspired port geometry optimises gas flow and power delivery. Weight has been meticulously reduced throughout to enhance vehicle dynamics and engine performance capability. Further weight savings were found by using thin wall 3D printed casting technology, which enables a sculpted engine block, formed closely around the internal components. The result is an engine that weighs just 85kg."
Now imagine that in a lightweight frame like something akin to those side-by-sides I mentioned above? And imagine that rev-happy motor screaming to 10,000 rpm when you're out tackling the tricky trails around Baja or in the sands of Saudi Arabia for the Dakar? Again, woof.
Unfortunately, the motor is destined only for the brand's continuation Ford Escort Mk1 RS car and not to be sold as its own thing for lunatics like myself to snatch up and use as a swap in their personal UTVs. But a guy can dream, right? I mean, even the company's press release ends with, "10,000RPM. Zero Compromise." So let me have one, gents, I've got some ideas...
