Whether diesel or petrol, this design has evolved and adapted to many uses, while remaining a popular choice for manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Ford, Toyota, Ferrari, Scania and Dodge. It owes its name to its configuration: eight cylinders arranged in two rows forming a ‘V’.
Although its history dates back to the early 20th century, it was Cadillac that popularised this engine in 1914 with the Type 51, a compact and reliable model. In the 1930s, Ford revolutionised the market with its robust and affordable Flathead V8, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Over the following decades, the V8 became the heart of American muscle cars, notably with legendary models such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. In Europe, brands such as Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes adopted this architecture to combine performance and luxury. One of the milestones was the 1967 Ford-Cosworth Formula 1 engine, the 3-litre V8 DFV (Double Four Valves – double camshaft and four valves per cylinder), which dominated the premier class for fifteen years, winning 155 races!
The standard V angle is 90°, but can also be 60 or 72°. There are two types of V8 engines: ‘Big Blocks’ (6 litres and above), prized for their low-end torque, particularly in America, Australia and by Europeans in luxury vehicles, and ‘Small Blocks’ (between 1.5 and 6 litres), which are compact and powerful, favourites of German, Italian and Japanese sports car manufacturers.
Advantages and disadvantages of V8 engines
One of the main advantages of the V8 is its ability to produce high power, rapid acceleration and generous torque even at low revs. This type of engine is relatively compact, offering the space of a four-cylinder engine while delivering twice the power. This makes it ideal for sports cars, luxury saloon cars and heavy goods vehicles. Thanks to its configuration, the V8 offers excellent dynamic balance and smooth combustion, reducing vibrations and improving smoothness.
This versatility allows it to be used in a wide range of applications, from motor racing to SUVs, pick-ups and high-end limousines. In addition, the distinctive roar of a V8, often described as ‘musical’, contributes to its emotional appeal, attracting many car enthusiasts.
However, the V8 also has some notable drawbacks. Its fuel consumption is a major drawback in a context where energy efficiency is increasingly sought after. V8 engines are generally larger and heavier than their four- or six-cylinder counterparts, which can be a disadvantage for small cars or those seeking to reduce weight. They are also more expensive to produce due to their complex design, which includes two cylinder heads, four camshafts and a timing chain per cylinder head, among other components. These factors translate into a higher final price for vehicles equipped with a V8. Finally, these engines are often criticised for their relatively high pollutant emissions, making them a target for increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
What does the future hold for the V8?
Despite their drawbacks and the transition to electrification, some manufacturers remain committed to V8 engines for certain models. These engines continue to meet the expectations of customers looking for vehicles that are both sporty and luxurious. A symbol of prestige and mechanical expertise, the V8 continues to benefit from technological innovations aimed at improving its performance and efficiency. These advances include the addition of turbochargers, double camshafts, direct injection, phase shifters, cylinder deactivation and even the integration of hybridisation.
Although it faces competition from smaller, hybrid and electric engines, the V8 retains an important place in the automotive industry, particularly in key markets such as the United States and the Middle East, where demand for powerful and imposing vehicles remains high.
However, the future of the V8 remains uncertain. Despite its image of power and driving pleasure, it is subject to increasingly stringent environmental standards, which could limit its adoption in the years to come.
Some car manufacturers, such as Ferrari with the SF90 and Roma, BMW with its M series models, Mercedes with its AMG range, Ford with the Mustang and, in other countries, the Raptor, Toyota with the Hilux and Land Cruiser, and Dodge with the Challenger and Charger, continue to push the boundaries of engineering by offering vehicles equipped with V8 engines.
Let’s make the most of these latest models with this iconic engine that are still available on the market.
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