V10
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A V10 is an engine in V configuration, having 10 cylinders.
The V10 configuration is inherently imbalanced in the vertical plane and generates a rocking moment causing vibration from end to end of the engine. To contain this issue a balance shaft is required. Theoretically, the best V-angle is 72°; with this angle there is no vibration in vertical and transverse directions. The complexity of designing this made the V10 difficult to engineer without computer-aided design (CAD), and therefore the V10 was never used before the 1980s. To save development and parts costs, many V10 engines available today are based on 90° V8 engines, which is less than ideal for balance.
Road cars
V10s have rarely been a popular configuration for road cars: a V12 is only slightly more complicated and runs more smoothly. However, recent years have seen increasing use of the configuration in the United States. The Dodge Viper uses a 8.3 L (8.0 L in the previous generation) V10 engine, which has since been made available in the Dodge Ram SRT-10 sport pickup. The same V10, but tuned to 525 bhp is used in the Bristol Fighter. V10s are also available in the F250 and F-350 pickup trucks and the Ford Excursion large SUV. The Volkswagen Phaeton and Volkswagen Touareg currently have a 5.0 turbocharged Diesel V10 option, available in Europe, making them the first modern V10-powered sedan and SUV. BMW has introduced a V10 in the 2005 model year BMW M5, marking the first non-Diesel V10 sedan. The Lamborghini Gallardo also has a V10 engine.
Racing
The most widespread use of the V10 has been in Formula 1 racing, where the configuration was introduced by Honda and Renault before the 1989 season. The introduction of the 3 litre rule made the V10 seem the best compromise between the V8 and the V12. Renault had a more flat 110° motor for a couple of years (2002 and 2003). There are also cars with V10 engines in sports car racing, usually with Judd powerplants with 4 or 5 litre engines, made available for customers, although the first V10 was seen in the works Peugeot 905, in the final races of the 1990 World Endurance Championship season.fr:V10