The Future of V8's in America (camper, trucks, sports car)
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I seriously doubt we will see the end of V8's. I don't think American car culture will let them go away. I've heard the rumors floating around about the new vette and I'm all for twin turbos. I've been a turbo guy for the last 15 yrs or so and then only replacement for displacement is forced induction and not from a supercharger.
Will they go away.... NO. Will they get smaller and rarer... Yes.
With the coming CAFE standards, more and more manufacturers are turning away from V8 engines to turbo V6's. I can see doing this with some lesser vehicles but what about high-performance cars? I, for one, will NEVER buy a Corvette with a 6 cylinder!
Do you think in the coming years that V8's will disappear all-together from American society? I still think there's no replacement for displacement. I've heard/seen some of the turbo V6's and there just isn't a good rumble that a V8 can produce.
I don't think they'll disappear, but they'll be harder to find. Think about how far engines have come in the past 20 years, or past 10 years for that matter. A naturally aspirated V6 can already do what the V8's of yesteryear could do, like put out well over 300 hp. That's plenty for the average enthusiast, and the reduced weight in the front end makes it an easy choice for those less concerned with straight line acceleration.
V12's and V10's will have to dissappear before the V8, but the high-performance cars will hang onto twin-turbo V8's, I imagine. You're right though - I can't fathom a Corvette with a 6 cylinder, and there's nothing else like that rumble.
I just wish people would reconsider their infatuation with hybrids and we had a few more diesel options.
I don't think you'll see it disappear at all. What you will see is the current trend that has been going on for several years where V8's are relegated to only do duty in limited performance models or topline luxury cars. The kind of vehicles that are low enough in volume to not screw with the CAFE numbers.
I also think you will see a trend towards smaller displacement V8's utilizing a myriad of technologies to create the same level of horsepower, or even more. Look at the GenV GM small block. They are expecting equal or more power out of an engine with .7 liters less displacement and with a 15% MPG bump.
You're probably right, I've noticed every midsized and high-volume vehicle doesn't even OFFER a V8 engine OPTION anymore! Most of your mainstream vehicles come standard with a 4 banger with an optional V6 or simply come with a small displacement V6 and an optional larger displacement V6.
Come to think of it, my mom's CTS Coupe is only the second vehicle they've owned with a V6-powered engine. I remember the good ol' days when every Cadillac came with a big V8.
It's kind of sad how you either have to step up to the performance division of a car maker (AMG, V-Series, M) or the top-of-the-line model to get an 8 cylinder. I'm all for having turbo-charged V6's but still something about me likes the sound and power that a V8 puts out. I haven't found any V6 that can replicate it.
If the next Corvette isn't a V8...well I'm not sure how the market would react. The quintessential American sports car should have the quintessential American engine...I hope!
Let's hear it for $10 a gallon gas like Europe...that will fix the V-8 situation.
That's certainly a factor, too. They save their V8's (and V10's) for their big luxo cruisers, but there's plenty of them. Europe has more twistie roads so the lighter V6, straight 6, and diesels with all their torque are more desireable. By the time you get a V8 singing on a European road it's time to brake for the next turn - sort of defeats the purpose.
Certainly V8s will live on in high-performance sport cars. But on all other cars, their days are coming to an end. Family cars with V8s such as a Lexus LS/GS, or a Dodge Charger, will probably switch to V6s.
Also SUVs with V8 options will become even rarer, as car companies and buyers switch to cross-overs. Already the Explorer has switched to V6-only. Sales of behemoths like the Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, Lexus LX, etc have crashed.
Those who praise turbocharged 4-cyl over a V8 engine of, roughly, equal power and torque obviously don't appreciate the characteristics of a V8.
Why did I say that ? Because currently I also own a turbocharged 4-cyl along with three V8-powered vehicles. I don't have any patience anymore for turbo lag, for the "non linear" power delivery, for the lack of torque at low rpm, and a few other things.
If the argument is to merely able to get to 65 mph, then a turbocharged 4-cyl is also an overkill. All you need is a car with an engine like the Smart; hell, Smart engine is still a bit too big if all you want to do is reach 65 mph.
Is V8 going to die ? Unlikely. The use for such a large engine will be diminished (if not already), but there will be people like me who love a big, lazy V8 regardless of fuel mileage. I want to be able to cruise 65 mph at fourteen hundred rpm, not at four thousand.
With the coming CAFE standards, more and more manufacturers are turning away from V8 engines to turbo V6's. I can see doing this with some lesser vehicles but what about high-performance cars? I, for one, will NEVER buy a Corvette with a 6 cylinder!
Do you think in the coming years that V8's will disappear all-together from American society? I still think there's no replacement for displacement. I've heard/seen some of the turbo V6's and there just isn't a good rumble that a V8 can produce.
Funny you should say that... I'm looking at a 54 Corvette with a 6 cylinder
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