The Vanguard's larger and heavier fuselage presented an obvious need to be combined with a more powerful engine, which led to the adoption of the newly-developed Rolls-Royce Tyne engine. This powerplant was capable of generating a nominal , in comparison to the Viscount's Rolls-Royce Dart of about . The Tyne engine enabled the Vanguard to be operated at a substantially greater service ceiling and cruising speed. The Vanguard was one of the fastest turboprop airliners to ever be built, including much later designs such as the Saab 2000 and de Havilland Canada Dash 8. A pilot report describes maintaining 10,000 ft altitude with three engines at idle power and propellers feathered and the port outer engine at maximum cruise power.Aviation Week, 14 September 1959, pp. 57, 59.
