V8 engine - what distinguishes this engine model?

Thanks to the fact that manufacturers install V8 engines in their cars, they can provide high driving comfort, adequate to the quality of luxury cars. This power unit is also suitable for sports cars, SUVs or pickups, providing them with the necessary power. Learn more about this powertrain from our article.

V8 engine specifications

This power unit is characterized by the presence of two rows of cylinders, which are usually located at an angle of 90 ° to each other. V8 is the most popular engine option right after the inline engine. Varieties are available: naturally aspirated, supercharged and turbocharged.

What cars are equipped with a V8 engine?

V8 engines are great driving pleasure - they are characterized by large displacement, thoroughbred sound and powerful power. Disagreements are caused only by their not very environmental characteristics - they emit CO2 in large quantities. For this reason, they are increasingly being replaced by an electrified V6 powertrain. V8 powered vehicles include: Audi RS 7 Sportback, Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray, Ford Mustang GT Convertible, Lexus LC 500, BMW M5 Competition or Mercedes-AMG GT.

How does the drive work?

The V8 engine works by allowing the air/fuel mixture to enter the eight cylinders through the intake valves. The unit also involves pistons in cylinders that compress the fuel-air mixture. The spark plugs then ignite it and the exhaust gases pass through the exhaust valves and the whole process repeats. All this makes the pistons move up and down. It should be noted that in this unit, eight pistons are connected to each other by a rotating crankshaft located at the bottom of the "V". The working crankshaft transfers power to the gearbox, then it is transmitted to the wheels through the driveshaft or driveshafts. 

Does more displacement translate into power anyway?

In most cases, this is what happens. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, which are also present when it comes to V8. This can be seen in the Dodge Challenger, where a supercharged 8-liter V6,2 is more powerful than a naturally aspirated 6,4-liter for the same model car. This is because the forced induction created by a turbocharger or supercharger makes a smaller engine more powerful.

Advantages of the V8 engine

As an advantage of this unit, of course, you can specify a high rated power. That's why the V8 is used in powerful sports cars and powerful trucks. The V8 engine is also appreciated for its simplicity of design, especially when it comes to the naturally aspirated version. For this reason, this type was chosen instead of a more complex version equipped with forced induction. The V8 is also prized for its characteristic sound, which in many cases gives a pleasant goosebump - a thoroughbred growl makes driving even more fun.

Cons of the V8 engine

For this engine, you can also specify some disadvantages. First, it's efficiency. High performance and power come at a price. The V8 will consume more fuel than the less powerful six-cylinder or four-cylinder variants. Some drivers also notice that the weight of this unit negatively affects the car's handling. The motor placed under the front hood of the car makes it difficult to control the car while driving. The higher costs in the case of a car with a V8 engine will also be related to the purchase price itself. Cars equipped with this engine, both direct from the dealer and from the aftermarket, are more expensive.

V8 and V6 - how do these units differ?

Many people are wondering what is the difference between the V8 and V6 variants, other than the number of cylinders. The six-cylinder unit is cheaper to manufacture and also has less weight. It also delivers more power than the four-cylinder version. The operation of this engine is also smoother. The biggest benefits include fuel economy, as well as better control of the car due to lighter weight, especially compared to the V8. The V8 version, on the other hand, provides better acceleration and more power, provides stability and is suitable for dynamic, sporty driving as well as utility purposes such as towing. It is also characterized by a higher driving culture.

Should I choose a car with a V8? Summary

Before choosing a car, it is worth clarifying what the future driver expects from him. If someone is looking for a real and strong car experience, then a V8 car would definitely be a good choice.