Goodbye, V-8s, the Engines That Could

[Rockntractor]

By Eric Peters on 8.24.12 @ 6:07AM

This time, probably for good. And now even V-6s are in trouble.

V-8s are on the way out -- again.

The first mass extinction occurred circa late 1970s/early '80s, as a result of the first round of the government fuel economy edicts known by the acronym, CAFE -- or Corporate Average Fuel Economy. CAFE mandated that cars (but not trucks) achieve an average of at least 22.5 MPG or else the automakers who continued to build such wastrels would be hit with "gas guzzler" fines, which they in turn would pass on to the consumer. This made the formerly commonplace full-frame, rear-drive (and V-8 powered) family car economically impossible -- at least, given the technology of the late '70s era.

So, they -- mostly -- disappeared.

V-8s (and mass-market large cars) made a comeback in the '90s and through to the present day as technology -- especially fuel injection and overdrive transmissions -- made it possible to make the 22.5 MPG CAFE cut. Or at least, come close enough so that any "gas guzzler" fines were economically manageable. Even something as stunningly, obstreperously powerful as a 2012 Cadillac CTS-V -- packing a 6.2 liter, 556 hp V-8 -- can manage 19 MPG on the highway, thanks to the efficiency improvements of the past 20-something years.

But no technology in existence today -- or on the horizon -- will get the CTS-V or anything else with a V-8 under its hood close to the new CAFE mandatory minimum of 35.5 MPG, which goes into effect come 2016. That means -- in all likelihood -- that V-8 powered cars are about to go away again, this time probably for good.

In fact, the die-off is already happening.

The 2013 Jaguar XF -- which since its introduction in 2009 has always come with nothing less than a five liter V-8 -- will come standard with a 2.0 liter four next year. The optional engine will be a six of about 3 liters' displacement.

Lexus has dropped the V-8 as an available upgrade in the 2013 GS series sport sedan, which is now V-6 (and hybrid) powered only. Audi has retired the A8's 4.2 liter V-8, replacing it with a V-6.

Mercedes is going to introduce a new hybrid version of the E-Class for 2013. The V-8 version of the E will still be offered, but with a starting price of almost $60,000 it will not be a mass-market car.

V-8s are becoming engines for the rich-only. More on this in a minute.

Even sixes are in peril. BMW has shunted the formerly standard inline six in both the 3 and 5 Series, in favor of a new (twin-turbocharged) four.

It's a clear trend -- and the fact that we can see it developing on the luxury-performance end of the automotive spectrum is the proverbial canary in the coal mine as regards more modestly priced, large-engined cars such as the Chrysler 300 and -- probably -- much-anticipated but likely to be very short-lived models like the 2014 Chevy SS sedan.

If Jaguar, BMW, Audi, and Lexus can no longer afford to build V-8 cars (at least, in large numbers, as mass-market models), then it's a dead certainty GM and Ford and Chrysler won't be able to, either.

That includes trucks, incidentally.

The new CAFE standard -- 35.5 MPG, average -- doesn't apply just to passenger cars, as the original 22.5 MPG CAFE standard did. Everything short of commercial vehicles is now lumped together in the same category. There is no more "light truck loophole" -- the loophole that made it possible, back in the '90s, for the car companies to do an end-run around CAFE for passenger cars by putting big engines into bigger vehicles that could be categorized as light trucks -- and which they called SUVs.
Read More>http://spectator.org/archives/2012/0...e-engines-that

If we can say goodbye to a Democrat president and hopefully a Democrat senate I think we can arrange to say goodbye to CAFE standards. I can't pull equipment with a Prius.

[LukeEDay]

With people wanting to better gas mileage and the like, I can the V8 going out in cars, but I would think they would stay in trucks? They need them for the power to tow.

[Rockntractor]

With people wanting to better gas mileage and the like, I can the V8 going out in cars, but I would think they would stay in trucks? They need them for the power to tow.

It looks like there will be a void between small pick ups and larger trucks, the 3/4 ton and 1 ton are going to be eliminated. I have a larger truck but on most days it is cheaper fuel wise to use a one ton, their cures often work the opposite of their intent. Why should I not be able to buy the vehicle that most closely matches my needs?

[Janice]

Its hard for me to imagine the GOP doing a whole lot about eliminating cafe standards and most of the ethanol nonsense (other than lip service) since theyve pretty much been the 'water boy' for the dems pushing this nonsense for quite some time now.

I really despise 'moderate' republicans. Hopefully Ryan will be the start of a few more conservatives having some sway in Romneys inner circle.

[Starbuck]

That's why I didn't trade my "clunker" in. My "clunker" is a '90 model GMC shortbed 4X4 with a 5.7 liter V-8. I bought it brand new in 1990, and I'm keeping it.

Drove it, today, in fact.

[Rockntractor]

That's why I didn't trade my "clunker" in. My "clunker" is a '90 model GMC shortbed 4X4 with a 5.7 liter V-8. I bought it brand new in 1990, and I'm keeping it.

Drove it, today, in fact.

I have heard talk of the possibility of them making it illegal to drive trucks past a to be determined age.
I saw this coming and bought two more trucks two years ago, I have 2 3/4 tons and two one tons and if they try to force me to stop using something I have bought and paid for, I will be furious, there is even talk of an added tax for old trucks if you want to continue using them, If I have time I will try to find the links.

[Bondai]

It looks like there will be a void between small pick ups and larger trucks, the 3/4 ton and 1 ton are going to be eliminated. I have a larger truck but on most days it is cheaper fuel wise to use a one ton, their cures often work the opposite of their intent. Why should I not be able to buy the vehicle that most closely matches my needs?

Why should I not be able to buy the vehicle that most closely matches my needs?

Because Obama say's you can't, that's why. Any questions?

[Artois]

It looks like there will be a void between small pick ups and larger trucks, the 3/4 ton and 1 ton are going to be eliminated. I have a larger truck but on most days it is cheaper fuel wise to use a one ton, their cures often work the opposite of their intent. Why should I not be able to buy the vehicle that most closely matches my needs?

I can't possibly see 3/4 and 1 ton trucks be eliminated nor V8's/V10's no longer being in them.

[Rockntractor]

I can't possibly see 3/4 and 1 ton trucks be eliminated nor V8's/V10's no longer being in them.

It does seem pretty hard to believe but the government has been doing some unbelievably stupid things the last three years, like shutting down coal power plants.

[Artois]

It does seem pretty hard to believe but the government has been doing some unbelievably stupid things the last three years, like shutting down coal power plants.

I absolutely agree that the governments been doing some unbelievably stupid things, other than than a few instances, the coal plant thing has been pretty widely misunderstood though. At least IMO.