Interest Fades in the Once-Mighty V-8 - Page 2

sprjenkins · 20-01-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

The new turbo V-6 which also will have Direct Injection (GTDI) will have 340 HP and 340-350 lb. ft. of torque and get about 27 - 30 MPG. This is power of a V-8 with fuel mileage of a V-6.

Americans still want the V-8 but hate buying, what to us, is high fuel prices. Even when it comes to what vehicles are most sold in the US, in a telephone survey the majority of people called wanted cars with smaller, more fuel efficient engines. But when these people went out to but a vehicle they are still buying mostly trucks and SUV's/CUV's. People say one thing because it is the "right" thing to say, but they do another because they buy what they really want.

However, with the new fuel mileage standard that will be effective in 2020 the manufacturers are looking for ways to make vehicles get the fuel mileage that the Government requires while making the power that Americans want in their vehicles. Turbos are already figured out and easy to implement so it is a natural to go in that direction. Its really the Government that is the cause of teh demise of the V-8, not so much the consumer.

I think the turbo 4 cylinder engines will be making 250 HP.

Steve

Maybe the Americans just build crap cars and don't know how to build a decent V8 engine like the europeans do. Audi's A8 has a twin turbo 4.2 litre V8 that can do 800 miles to a tank, see the Top Gear challenge. Maybe if they didn't suck so much they wouldn't be so worried about about meeting these fuel economy standards

mik · 20-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprjenkins

Maybe the Americans just build crap cars and don't know how to build a decent V8 engine like the europeans do. Audi's A8 has a twin turbo 4.2 litre V8 that can do 800 miles to a tank, see the Top Gear challenge. Maybe if they didn't suck so much they wouldn't be so worried about about meeting these fuel economy standards

thats not comparing apples with apples is it, how miuch does a twin turbo Audi cost compared to Gm or Ford or Chrysler v8?

apolloxbgt · 20-01-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

thats not comparing apples with apples is it, how miuch does a twin turbo Audi cost compared to Gm or Ford or Chrysler v8?

But how many units could ford sell in there pick ups alone,lots of units = much lower cost.

wodahs · 20-01-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprjenkins

Maybe the Americans just build crap cars and don't know how to build a decent V8 engine like the europeans do. Audi's A8 has a twin turbo 4.2 litre V8 that can do 800 miles to a tank, see the Top Gear challenge. Maybe if they didn't suck so much they wouldn't be so worried about about meeting these fuel economy standards

doesnt it have something to do with the emissions of these motors in the us ??
rather than how much they drink

merlin · 21-01-2008, 07:53 AM

The reasons interest has faded is due to high fuel prices and the increased efficiency of turbo technology. But if Hydrogen power or hybrid power technology advanced you would think the V8 could/would survive or even prosper.

That being said I never have and never would buy a V8 so I don't really care!

ClevlndStemer · 21-01-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprjenkins

Maybe the Americans just build crap cars and don't know how to build a decent V8 engine like the europeans do. Audi's A8 has a twin turbo 4.2 litre V8 that can do 800 miles to a tank, see the Top Gear challenge. Maybe if they didn't suck so much they wouldn't be so worried about about meeting these fuel economy standards

I think you will find the V8 in the Audi was a diesel.
They got the mileage out of it by not using anything basically. Still a good mileage.

fmc351 · 21-01-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodahs

doesnt it have something to do with the emissions of these motors in the us ??
rather than how much they drink

Partly, there are several reasons given, another was dependency on foreign oil too. The result is the same anyway, better economy is how they achieve the goal and this was the first such change in law since the 70's I believe.

sleekism · 21-01-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmc351

Partly, there are several reasons given, another was dependency on foreign oil too. The result is the same anyway, better economy is how they achieve the goal and this was the first such change in law since the 70's I believe.

No I think regular updates of CAFE used to be regular thing except when Bill Clinton came to power in the 90's the CAFE actually went backwards.
It was good for the economy as Motown churned out SUV's and pickups again and went from teetering on poverty to profitability but as fuel prices exploded............