Bartek Sikorski

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Environmental concerns on both sides of the Atlantic have got carmakers worried about fuel efficiency and emissions. In Europe, governments are set on introducing strict carbon-emission limits for new cars, while in the U.S. regulators want to see marked improvements in fuel-economy levels. The response so far from carmakers has increasingly been to downsize engine size, and it appears the first strike has been target towards V8 powerplants, especially in luxury vehicles.

GM was one of the first to announce that it was canceling its V8 program for its Cadillac brand. Then Chrysler followed suit with the announcement that its legendary HEMI will not play a major role in its future lineup. Ford, too, has shifted focus towards economical V6 engines and forced-induction for its luxury Lincoln brand.
Part of the reason is that advanced V6 engines offer similar performance to V8s, and luxury buyers are seeking modern and high-tech powertrains. Most carmakers are seeing demand for V8s drop, CNNMoney reports. In just one year, demand for the V8 Cadillac STS went from 26% to just 17% and this year is set to be even lower. But the V8s aren’t going away just yet. There’s still a certain level of prestige and refinement associated with a big-cube engine, something modern day V6s are yet to attain.

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siko

So far it's only been makers of ineffiecient V8s that are dropping out.

I'm hoping the others will just find egineering solutions to meet the new enviro-laws.

warot

exactly.there will always be a need for v8 engines.look at acura

Merc1

Bingo. You're absolutely correct. Ford, GM and Chrysler all have old tired V8s that needed replacing anyway and they just don't have the money right now to design a new V8 to comply. That and the fact that those same tired V8s are reaching the end of their useful lives, save of course GM's LS series of V8s. They'll never give up that pushrod thing and they'll continue to refine it. What Cadillac is going to do without a V8 I can't imagine. MB/BMW/Audi/Jaguar/Lexus/Infiniti aren't going to give up their V8s thats for sure. Even if they all have to go down to 4.0L and turbos and direct-injection they'll keep the V8 viable for as long as possible. I would really hate to see Cadillac start sliding back because GM is too lazy and/or broke to develop a modern V8. Whats next a switch back to FWD?


M