Infiniti Phasing Out V8 Engines, Exec Says
#17
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You do have a valid point there. With regards to the M5, the new 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 is superb without a doubt.
Still, you have to admit that BMW M enthusiasts and most performance car enthusiasts in general would still argue that the S85 engine (with its 10 cylinders) has more punch and in general, all else being equal, naturally-aspirated engines produce better engine sounds in most cases.
That and the V10 NA engine of the previous M5 has a higher redline so it means you push it further and will accelerate faster for those want to gun it past 260 km/h (140ish in miles per hour). Push it past 7000 rpm and it will still go.
In fact the S85 engine had a redline of 8250 rpm. The newer S63B44TU redlines at a lower 7200 rpm.
In fairness to the newer engine though, the twin turbo V8 has a wider powerband and greater rev range. Max torque is obtainable as early as 1500 rpm and can still be felt even beyond 5500 rpm.
Regardless, with news like this going around:
-Nissan/Infiniti abandoning V8 engine development
-Mclaren stating that V12 engines are a thing of the past and will only use V8 engines (at most).
-Rumors & speculation on whether Lexus will go for an NA V8 or a twin-turbo V6 for the next ISF
-Uncertainty on whether the 4th gen Lexus GS will get a V8 (in any form or iteration)
-Formula 1 cars to use turbocharged four cylinder engines by 2014
I don't know but somehow, I feel that the excitement is being taken away from sport/performance-oriented automobiles. The future *might* that if you want 8 cylinders or more, you have to buy brands like Bentley, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin or Bugatti.
Hmm you know what:
Maybe we should go back to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages then. After all, it's the destination that only matters. How one gets there would become absolutely irrelevant.
Still, you have to admit that BMW M enthusiasts and most performance car enthusiasts in general would still argue that the S85 engine (with its 10 cylinders) has more punch and in general, all else being equal, naturally-aspirated engines produce better engine sounds in most cases.
That and the V10 NA engine of the previous M5 has a higher redline so it means you push it further and will accelerate faster for those want to gun it past 260 km/h (140ish in miles per hour). Push it past 7000 rpm and it will still go.
In fact the S85 engine had a redline of 8250 rpm. The newer S63B44TU redlines at a lower 7200 rpm.
In fairness to the newer engine though, the twin turbo V8 has a wider powerband and greater rev range. Max torque is obtainable as early as 1500 rpm and can still be felt even beyond 5500 rpm.
Regardless, with news like this going around:
-Nissan/Infiniti abandoning V8 engine development
-Mclaren stating that V12 engines are a thing of the past and will only use V8 engines (at most).
-Rumors & speculation on whether Lexus will go for an NA V8 or a twin-turbo V6 for the next ISF
-Uncertainty on whether the 4th gen Lexus GS will get a V8 (in any form or iteration)
-Formula 1 cars to use turbocharged four cylinder engines by 2014
I don't know but somehow, I feel that the excitement is being taken away from sport/performance-oriented automobiles. The future *might* that if you want 8 cylinders or more, you have to buy brands like Bentley, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin or Bugatti.
Hmm you know what:
Maybe we should go back to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages then. After all, it's the destination that only matters. How one gets there would become absolutely irrelevant.
I don't think nissans case here is status quo for the industry as they are a smaller luxury brand. And again maybe they simply source Benz v-8s instead of developing their own.
Maybe caddy has a good plan not offering a regular v-8 and just the performance model with it
#24
Ghosn or whoever is leading Infiniti needs to be changed... they are slowly heading down the path Acura took in the mid 2000s, I hope they steer the ship away from that and try to battle Lexus and the 3 Germans. A new try at a Q flagship and an Infiniti version of the GT-R could quickly do that if executed properly.
Good thing is the new Infiniti G looks pretty good from the camo shots, that is their bread and butter.
Good thing is the new Infiniti G looks pretty good from the camo shots, that is their bread and butter.
#25
It's not just Infiniti either. Several companies are going with boosted 6's. Watch for BMW. I'll bet in a couple years they won't make a car with an 8.
The GTR is showing the rest of the world what you can do with a 6. Look how much power those things are capable of.
#26
Ghosn or whoever is leading Infiniti needs to be changed... they are slowly heading down the path Acura took in the mid 2000s, I hope they steer the ship away from that and try to battle Lexus and the 3 Germans. A new try at a Q flagship and an Infiniti version of the GT-R could quickly do that if executed properly.
Good thing is the new Infiniti G looks pretty good from the camo shots, that is their bread and butter.
Good thing is the new Infiniti G looks pretty good from the camo shots, that is their bread and butter.
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rotaryrock
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