AV8 engineis an eight-cylinderpiston enginein which two banks of four cylinders share a commoncrankshaftand are arranged in aV configuration.[1]
Origins
editThe first known V8 was theAntoinette,designed byLéon Levavasseur,and built in 1904[2]by the FrenchAntoinettecompany for use in speedboat racing, cars, and later, airplanes.[3] [4]
Also in 1904, V8 engines began small-scale production byRenaultand Buchet for use in race cars.[citation needed]
Design
editV-angle
editMost engines use a V-angle (the angle between the two banks of cylinders) of 90 degrees. This angle results in goodengine balance,which results in low vibrations.[5]However, the downside is the greater width of the engine compared to those that use a smaller V-angle.
V8 engines with a 60-degree V-angle were used in the 1996–1999Ford Taurus SHO,the 2005–2011Volvo XC90,and the 2006–2009Volvo S80.TheFordengine used a 60-degree V-angle because it was based on aV6 enginewith a 60-degree V-angle. Both theFordandVolvoengines were used intransverse enginechassis, which were designed for a front-wheel-drive layout (with an on-demand all-wheel drive system in the case of theVolvos). To reduce the vibrations caused by the unbalanced 60-degree V-angle, theVolvoengines used abalance shaftand offset splitcrankpins.[6]TheRolls-Royce Meteoritetank engine also used a 60-degree V-angle, since it was derived from the 60 degreeV12 Rolls-Royce Meteorwhich in turn was based on theRolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine.[7]
Other V-angles have been used occasionally. TheLancia Trikappa,Lancia Dilambda,andLancia Astura,produced 1922–1939, used narrow angle V8 engines (based on theLancia V4 engine) with V-angles of14–24degrees.[8]The 1932Millerfour-wheel drive racing cars used a V8 engine with a V-angle of 45 degrees.[9]The 8-cylinder versions of the 1945 through 1966EMD 567diesel locomotive engine also used a V-angle of 45 degrees.
Crankshaft configuration
editCross-plane crankshaft
editMost V8 engines fitted to road cars use across-plane crankshaftsince this configuration produces less vibration due to the perfectprimary balanceand secondary balance.[10]The cross-plane crankshaft has the four crank pins (numbered from the front) at angles of 0, 90, 270, and 180 degrees, which results in a cross shape for the crankshaft when it is viewed from one end.
The rumbling exhaust sound produced by a typical cross-plane V8 engine is partly due to the unevenfiring orderwithin each of the two banks of four cylinders. A usual firing order of L-R-L-L-R-L-R-R (or R-L-R-R-L-R-L-L) results in uneven intake and exhaust pulse spacing for each bank. When separate exhaust systems are used for each bank of cylinders, this uneven pulsing results in the rumbling sound typically associated with V8 engines. However, racing engines seek to avoid these uneven exhaust pressure pulses to maximize the power output. The 1960s cross-plane V8 racing engines used long primary exhaust pipes (such as theFord GT40endurance racing car) or located the exhaust ports on the inside of the V-angle (such as the Lotus 38 IndyCar) to link the exhaust systems from each bank and provide even exhaust gas pulses),.
Flat-plane crankshaft
editAflat-plane crankshaftconfiguration provides two benefits. Mechanically, the crankshaft can be machined from a flat billet and does not require counterweights so it is lighter. However, it produces more vibration due to a secondary imbalance. Most early V8 road car engines also used a flat-plane crankshaft since this was simpler to design and build than a cross-plane crankshaft. Early flat-plane V8 engines included the 1910De Dion-Boutonengine, the 1915Peerlessengine, and the 1915Cadillacengine. A flat-plane crankshaft is used by many V8 engines fitted to racing cars.[11]
From the gas dynamics aspect, the flat-plane crankshaft allows for even exhaust gas pulses to be achieved with a simple exhaust system.[12]The design was popularized in motor racing by the 1961–1965Coventry Climax FWMVFormula One engine, and the 1967–1985Cosworth DFVengine was highly successful in Formula One.[13]Several production sports cars have used flat-plane V8 engines, such as everyFerrari V8 model(from the 1973Ferrari 308 GT4to the 2019–presentFerrari F8 Tributo), theLotus Esprit V8,thePorsche 918 Spyder,and theMcLaren MP4-12C.
Automobile use
editThe first V8 engine used in a road-going car was the 1905Rolls-Roycebuilt in the United Kingdom. This model was initially equipped with a 3.5 L (214 cu in) V8 engine.[14]However, only three cars were made beforeRolls-Roycereverted to using straight-six engines for their cars.[14][3]
In 1907, theHewitt Touring Carbecame the first car built in the United States with a V8 engine.[15]The engine was designed and built by Edward R. Hewitt who emphasized the V8's superiority to the typicalI4andI6and six-cylinder engines of the time because of its lower weight and easier to make crankshaft compared to the I6s of equal power as well as the V8 not taking much more space than a I4.[16]
The 1910De Dion-Bouton— built in France— is considered to be the first V8 engine produced in significant quantities.[17][18]
The 1914Cadillac L-head V8engine is considered the first road-going V8 engine to be mass-produced in significant quantities, with 13,000 sold the first year.[3][19]This engine was built in the United States and was greatly assisted by Cadillac's pioneering use ofelectric starter motors.
The popularity of V8 engines in cars was significantly increased following the 1932 introduction of theFord Flathead V8.[20]
By the early 21st century, the use of V8 engines in passenger vehicles declined as automobile manufacturers opted for morefuel efficient,lower capacity engines, orhybridandelectric drivetrains.[21]
Size, layout, and classification
editThe displacement of modern V8 engines is typically from 3.5 to 6.4 L (214 to 391 cu in). However, larger and smaller examples have been produced, such as the 8.2 L (500 cu in) V8 engine used in the 1971–1978Cadillac Eldoradoand BMW's 3.0 L (183 cu in)M60B30V8 engine found in cars such as theBMW E34530i. V8 engines intended for motorsport are often small and short-stroke to maximize RPMs and thus power. TheCosworth DFV3.0 L (183 cu in) is such an engine.
Due to its large external dimensions, V8 engines are typically used in cars that use alongitudinal enginelayout and rear-wheel drive (or all-wheel drive). However, V8 engines have also occasionally been used intransverse enginefront-wheel drivevehicles, sometimes using closer cylinder bore spacings and narrower cylinder bank angles to reduce their space requirements.[22]
The classification of 'big-block' or 'small-block' refers to the engine's external dimensions and does not necessarily indicate the actual engine displacement. Engines with displacements from 6.0 to 6.6 L (366 to 403 cu in) have been classified as both small-block and big-block, depending on the particular manufacturer's range of engines.[23]
Motorsport
editV8 engines have been used in many forms of motorsport, fromFormula One,IndyCar,NASCAR,DTMandV8 Supercarscircuit racing, toTop Fueldrag racing.
Formula One
editAmong the first V8 Formula One cars to compete were the 1952AFMentry and the 1954Lancia D50,with a development of the latter powering Juan Manuel Fangio's 1956 car to victory in the driver's championship. The 1.5 L Formula One era of 1961–1965 included V8 engines from Ferrari, Coventry Climax, British Racing Motors (BRM), and Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS). The driver's championships for the1962,1963,1964,and1965seasons were won by drivers of V8-powered cars.
From 1962 through 1965, the top three manufacturers in each season's Constructor's Championship all predominantly used V8 engines in their cars. In 1966, the engine capacity limits were increased to 3.0 L (183 cu in) (or 1.5 litres with a supercharger), and both the 1966 and 1967 Constructor's Championships were won by cars powered by theBrabham-Repco V8 engine.
From 1968 until 1981, theCosworth DFVV8 engine dominated Formula One racing. During this time, the Manufacturers' Championship was won by Cosworth DFV-powered cars every season except 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1979, which 12-cylinder Ferraris won. After a long period of dominance, the Cosworth DFV was eventually outpaced by turbocharged straight-four and V6 engines.
The next period of significant V8 usage in Formula One was from2006to2013,when the rules mandated use of 2.4 L (146 cu in) naturally-aspirated V8 engines, with regular power outputs between 730 and 810 hp[24](in order to reduce the power outputs being achieved by the previous 3.0 litre V10 engines).[25]These were replaced by 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines for the 2014 and later seasons.
NASCAR
editV8 engines have dominated American premier stock car racingNASCARseries since its inaugural1949 season.However, there wasn't a strict ruleset to follow until the 1972 season, when engines were no longer allowed to be any bigger than 358 cu in (5.9 L) for the purpose of reducing speeds caused by the rapid aerodynamic advancements from 1969 to 1971.
Drag racing
editIn the AmericanTop Fuelclass of drag racing, V8 engines displacing 500 cu in (8 L) today produce outputs of over 7,000 kW (10,000 hp).[26]and 10,000 N⋅m (7,400 lb⋅ft).[27][28][29]The engines used in Top Fuel andFunny cardrag racing are typically based on the aluminium-conversionChrysler 426 Hemi engineand run on highly explosivenitromethanefuel.[30]
Land speed record racing
editThe world's fastest non-jet-powered (i.e., piston-engine powered) wheeled land vehicle, the Speed Demon, which achieved a speed of 744.072 km/h (462.345 mph) in 2017, is powered by a V8 engine based on theChevrolet small-block enginedesign.[31][32][33][34][35]
Automobile use by country
editAustralia
editThe first Australian-designed car to use a V8 engine was the 1965Chrysler Valiant (AP6),which was available with an American-built 4.5 L (273 cu in) Chrysler engine. The first locally designed V8 Ford was the 1966Ford Falcon (XR)and the first V8 Holden was the 1968Holden HK,both using engines supplied by their parent companies in the United States.
The first V8 engine to be mass-produced in Australia was the 1969–2000Holden V8 engine.This cast-iron overhead valve engine used a V-angle of 90 degrees and was built in displacements of 4.1 L (253 cu in) and 5.0 L (308 cu in), the latter being de-stroked to 5.0 L (304 cu in) in 1985. TheHolden V8engine was used in various models, including the Kingswood, Monaro, Torana, Commodore, and Statesman. Versions tuned for higher performance were sold byHolden Dealer TeamandHolden Special Vehicles,including versions stroked to up to 5.7 L (350 cu in). The Holden V8 engine was also used intouring car racingand formed the basis of the Repco-Holden engine used inFormula 5000racing. In 1999, the Holden V8 engine began to be replaced by the importedGeneral Motors LS1V8 engine.
In 1971, Ford Australia began local production of theFord 'Cleveland' V8,an overhead valve cast-iron engine. The engine was produced in displacements of 4.9 L (302 cu in) and 5.8 L (351 cu in) for use in theAustralian Ford FalconandFord Fairlanemodels. It was also used in several low-volumeDeTomasosports cars and luxury sedans built in Italy. Australian production ceased in 1982 whenFord Australiatemporarily stopped production of V8 cars. From 1991 until 2016, theFord Falconwas available with the importedFord Windsor,Ford Barra,orFord ModularV8 engines; the latter was marketed as "Boss" and locally assembled from a mix of imported and local parts.
A 4.4 L (269 cu in) version of theRover V8 enginewas produced in Australia for the ill-fated 1973–1975Leyland P76sedan. The engine had an overhead valve design and was the only all-aluminum engine made in Australia.
China
editThe 1958–1965Hongqi CA72was a luxury car, of which approximately 200 were built for government officials.[36][37]It was powered by a 5.6 L (340 cu in)Chrysler LA engineand built on the chassis of a 1950s Chrysler Imperial.[38]
Czech Republic
editThe 1934–1938Tatra 77rear-engined sedan was initially powered by 3.0 L (183 cu in) petrol V8, which was air-cooled and used an overhead camshaft that operated the valves using a 'walking beam' rocker arrangement. This model line continued until 1999 when theTatra 700ended production.
Tatraalso produced diesel V8 truck engines from the 1939Tatra 81to the present dayTatra 815.
France
editFrench manufacturers were pioneering in their use of V8 engines in the early 1900s with the 1904Antoinetteaircraft engine (the first known V8 engine) and the 1910De Dion-Bouton.However, there were few French automotive V8 engines in the following decades, with manufacturers such asDelage,Delahaye,Talbot-Lago,Bugatti,and Hotchkiss using six-cylinder or straight-eight engines instead.
From 1935 until 1954,Matford(Ford's French subsidiary, later renamed to 'Ford SAF') produced cars with V8 engines, closely based on contemporary American Ford models.Simcapurchased the Ford SAF in 1954 and continued to produce various models powered by theFord Flathead V8until 1969.[39]
After WW2, France imposed very steeptax horsepowercharges - the owners of cars with engines above 2 L were financially penalized, so France had a small domestic market for larger-engined cars, such as the V8.[40]Despite this,Facel Vegaproduced luxury and sports cars powered by Chrysler V8 engines from 1954 through 1964.[40]
Germany
editOne of the first German V8 engines was the 1928–1945Argus As 10aircraft engine. This engine was air-cooled, used an 'inverted V' design, and was used in several training, surveillance, and communications airplanes.
From 1933 until 1940, theHorch 830luxury cars were powered by V8 engines (sold alongside Horch's larger straight-eight engines). Shortly after, the 1934–1937Stoewer Greif V8was powered by a 2.5 L (153 cu in) V8 engine.
BMW's first V8 engine was the 1954–1965BMW OHV V8 engine,a petrol engine with overhead valves and all-aluminum construction. The company resumed production of V8 engines in 1992 with theBMW M60aluminum double overhead camshaft engine, and V8 engines have remained in production until today.BMW'sfirst turbocharged V8 engine was the 1998–2009M67twin-turbocharged diesel engine. The first turbocharged V8 petrol engine fromBMWwas the 2008–presentBMW N63engine.
Their[clarification needed]first eight-cylinder engine since passenger car and motorsport straight-eight engine production stopped in 1944 and 1955 respectively,Mercedes-Benzbegan production of theMercedes-Benz M100petrol V8 engine in 1963 and has continued production of V8 engines to the present day. The M100 had a single overhead camshaft, a cast-iron block, and an aluminium head. Supercharging was first used on theMercedes-Benz M113engine in 2002 and turbocharging was first used on non-commercial diesel V8 engines in 1999 with theOM628and on petrol engines with theM278engine in 2010.
Porsche's first road car to use a V8 engine was the 1978Porsche 928coupe. Its first to use a V8 diesel engine was thesecond-generation CayenneS Diesel in 2014.
Audi's first road car to use a V8 engine was the 1988Audi V8luxury sedan. Its first model to use a V8 diesel engine was theD2 A83.3 TDI in 2000.
Italy
editAlfa Romeo
editThe first V8-enginedAlfa Romeoroad car was the 1967–1969Alfa Romeo 33 Stradalemid-engined sports car, of which 18 were produced. This was followed by the 1970–1977Alfa Romeo Montrealfront-engined sports car. The engines for both cars are based on the 90-degree V8 engine from theAlfa Romeo Tipo 33racing car, and have double overhead camshafts and a dry sump. The33 Stradaleengine has a displacement of 2.00 L (122 cu in) and a flat-plane crankshaft, while the Montreal uses an engine enlarged to 2.6 L (160 cu in) and uses a cross-plane crankshaft.[41]
The 2007–2010Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione / Spidersports cars are powered by a 4.7 L (290 cu in) version of theFerrari F136 enginewith a cross-plane crankshaft.
Ferrari
editFerrari's first contact with V8 engines was theVittorio Jano-designed 1955Lancia-Ferrari D50,a Formula One racing car that the company acquired as part of its purchase of Lancia's Formula One racing department. The first Ferrari-developed V8 engines were used in the 1962Ferrari 248 SPandFerrari 268 SPsports prototype racing cars designed byCarlo Chiti.This engine had a single overhead camshaft and was rear-mounted in the vehicles.
The company's first V8 road car was the 1973–1974Dino 308 GT4mid-engined sports car. The engine is a 90-degree all-aluminum V8 with double overhead camshafts.[42]In 1975, the 2.0 L (122 cu in) engine in theFerrari 208 GT4became the smallest production V8 engine ever produced.[citation needed]The model lineage of mid-engined V8 road cars continues to the 2019–presentFerrari F8 Tributo.
Five-valve-per-cylinder versions were used from 1994 until 2005 in theFerrari F355andFerrari 360.Turbocharging was introduced on the 1984–1987Ferrari 288 GTOflagship car, and the range of entry-level mid-engined sports cars switched to turbocharging with the 2015Ferrari 488.
The Formula One team resumed using V8 engines for the 2006–2013 seasons, beginning with theFerrari 248 F1.
Maserati
editThe first Maserati V8 road car was the 1959–1965Maserati 5000 GTluxury coupe, of which only 34 cars were produced. The 5000 GT used a 4.9 L (299 cu in) overhead camshaft engine derived from theMaserati 450Sracing car. Developments of this engine were used in the 1963–1969Maserati Quattroporte Iluxury sedan, the 1967–1973Maserati Ghibli,the 1971–1978Maserati Bora2-seat coupe, and several other models.
The 1990–1996Maserati Shamal2+2 coupe introduced a 3.2 L (195 cu in) turbocharged V8 engine based on the existingMaserati Biturbo V6.This engine was later replaced by the naturally aspirated 4.2 L (256 cu in)Ferrari F136V8 engine, beginning with the 2001Maserati Coupé/ Spyder.
Other Italian manufacturers
editDuring the 1920s and 1930s, Lancia produced a line of range-topping luxury cars powered by V8 engines: the 1922–1925Lancia Trikappa,the 1928–1935Lancia Dilambda,and the 1931–1939Lancia Astura.The engines ranged in displacement from 2.6–4.6 L (159–281 cu in) and used unusually narrow V-angles of 14 to 24 degrees with a single overhead camshaft. In the 1980s, an engine derived from Ferrari's V8 engine was transverse-mounted in theLancia Thema 8.32.
The only Fiat car to use a V8 engine was theFiat 8V,of which approximately 100 were produced 1952–1954. The 2.0 L (122 cu in) pushrod engine used an all-aluminium construction and an unusual V-angle of 70 degrees.[43]Fiat also began production of V8 diesel truck engines for the 1975Des-8280,[44]initially in the naturally aspirated form before switching to turbocharging in the mid-1980s.
Lamborghini's V8 powered models are the 1972–1979Lamborghini Urraco2+2 coupe, 1976–1979Lamborghini Silhouette2-seat convertible, and 1981–1988Lamborghini Jalpa2-seat convertible. The 2018–presentLamborghini UrusSUV uses a Volkswagen Group turbocharged V8 engine.
Japan
editJapanese manufacturers have not been significant producers of V8 engines for passenger cars due toJapanese government road tax regulationsthat impose higher charges for engines that exceed 2.0 L (122 cu in). However, several passenger cars have been produced with V8 engines for consumers and for use in motor racing.
Honda
editHonda has never produced V8 engines for passenger vehicles, although they did experiment with aCVCCV8 sportscar project until it was cancelled as a result of the 1973 Fuel Crisis.[45][46]In the late 1990s, the company resisted considerable pressure from its American dealers for a V8 engine, withAmerican Hondareportedly sending one dealer a shipment of"V8" vegetable juiceto silence them.[47]The onlyHondacar sold with a V8 engine was the 1993–1998Honda CrossroadSUV, which was a rebadgedLand Rover Discovery Series Ifitted with the Rover V8 engine.
In motor racing, theHonda Indy V8was produced for the 2003–2011 IndyCar racing series and was the control engine for the 2006 through 2011 seasons. The engine was a 3.0–3.5 L (183–214 cu in) all-aluminium V8 with double-overhead camshafts, with a power output of 650 hp (485 kW; 659 PS) and a 10,500 rpm redline.[48]The 2006–2008Honda Racing F1 Teamused 2.4 L V8 engines, which produced around 560–580 kW (750–775 hp) at 19,000 rpm, as mandated byFormula One regulations.[49]
Mitsubishi
editFrom 1999 to 2000,Mitsubishibriefly sold theMitsubishi 8A8 engine,which was a 4.5 L (275 cu in) all-aluminium V8 engine with double overhead camshafts and direct injection. The engine was fitted to the Mitsubishi Proudia luxury sedan and Mitsubishi Dignity limousine; however, financial pressures forced the company to discontinue sales of both these vehicles after only fifteen months.[50]
Nissan
editThe 1965–1989Nissan Y engineis Nissan's first V8 engine, which uses a pushrod design and had a displacement of 4.0 L (244 cu in). Its primary use was in the Nissan President limousine. The Y engine was replaced by the 1989–2001Nissan VH engine,which is an all-aluminum construction with double overhead camshafts and displacements of 4.1–4.5 L (250–275 cu in). This was replaced by theNissan VK enginein 2002, which remains in production today. The VK engine is an all-aluminium construction with double overhead camshafts and displacements of 4.5–5.6 L (275–342 cu in).
Toyota
editThe first mass-produced Japanese V8 engine was theToyota V engine,introduced in the 1964 Toyota Crown Eight luxury car. The Toyota V engine was an all-aluminum construction, used a pushrod valvetrain, and was produced until 1997. TheToyota UZ enginehas double overhead camshafts and was made from 1989 until 2013, while theToyota UR engineadded direct injection and has been in production since 2006.
From 2006 to 2009, theToyota RacingFormula One team cars were powered by 2.4 L (146 cu in) naturally-aspirated V8 engines, as mandated by the Formula One rules. These Toyota engines were rated to produce 559 kW (750 hp) at 19,000 rpm (552 kW (740 hp) at 18,000 rpm for 2009) and were also used by theWilliams,Midland, andJordanteams.[51]
Korea
editHyundai's first passenger car V8 engine was the 1999–2009Hyundai Omega engine,which was based on the Mitsubishi 8A8 engine (see above). The Omega engine was replaced by theHyundai Tau engine,which is an all-aluminium construction with double overhead camshafts and has been produced from 2008 to the present.
Sweden
editVolvo developed theB36V8 engine in 1952, which was intended to be used in the plannedVolvo Philipcar. The project was canceled, but the engine has been used in trucks since 1956.[52]
Koenigsegg initially used twin-supercharged versions of the Ford Modular V8 engine in its 2002–2004Koenigsegg CC8Sand 2004–2006Koenigsegg CCR.The company switched to its twin-supercharged engine for the 2006–2010Koenigsegg CCX.A twin-turbocharged V8 engine was introduced in the 2011Koenigsegg Ageraand has been used on all models since then.[53][54]
Soviet Union and Russian Federation
editThe 1958–1967ZIL-111limousine was among the first Soviet cars powered by a V8 engine. The engine was an all-aluminium construction with a pushrod valvetrain. Production of ZIL limousines powered by V8 engines continued until the ZIL-41047 was discontinued in 2002.
The 1959–1988GAZ Chaikawas powered by a 5.5 L (336 cu in) V8 engine with an all-aluminium construction and a pushrod valvetrain. This engine was also used in several limited-edition models for theKGB.
Diesel engines of the V8 configuration are currently produced by theYaroslavl Motor Plant,KamAZ.Sollersproduces petrol engines forAuruscars.
United Kingdom
editAston Martin
editThe 1969–1972Aston Martin DBS V8coupe/convertible was Aston Martin's first V8 model. This engine was an all-aluminium construction with double overhead camshafts and was used in several models until 2000, when theViragemodel was discontinued.
Production of V8-engined Aston Martin cars resumed in 2005 with a new generation of the Vantage, powered by theJaguar AJ-V8naturally aspirated V8 engine.[55][56][57][58]Since 2016, Aston Martin has switched to theMercedes-Benz M177turbocharged V8 engine, beginning with the DB11 model.[59][60]
McLaren
editEvery McLaren road car since the brand's 2010 relaunch has been powered by theMcLaren M838Ttwin-turbocharged V8 engine, which was introduced in the McLaren 12C (then called the 'MP4-12C') coupe. This engine is an all-aluminium construction with double overhead camshafts and a flat-plane crankshaft.
Rolls-Royce
editThe first V8 engine produced in the United Kingdom was fitted to the 1905Rolls-Royce,of which three cars were made. This engine used aside valvedesign, a V-angle of 90 degrees, and had a displacement of 3.5 L (214 cu in).
Mass-production of V8 engines began in 1959 with the release of theRolls-Royce–Bentley L-series V8 enginein the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, and the Bentley S2. This engine is an all-aluminium construction with a pushrod valvetrain and a V-angle of 90 degrees. It has been produced in displacements of 5.2–7.4 L (317–452 cu in), with a twin-turbocharged version introduced in 1985. The L-series V8 engine remains in production in theBentley Mulsanneluxury sedan.[61][62]
Rover
editRover began production of automotive V8 engines in 1967 with theRover V8 engine.This engine used the design and tooling of theBuick V8 enginepurchased from General Motors.[63]The Rover V8 is an all-aluminium construction with a pushrod valvetrain, displacements of 4–5 L (215–305 cu in) and a V-angle of 90 degrees. Rover, Land Rover, and MG used it in various automobiles.
Production continued until 2006, when it was largely replaced by theJaguar AJ-V8 engine.
Other U.K. manufacturers
editTheDaimler V8engine was introduced in the 1959 Daimler SP250 sports car and was produced until 1969. This engine has an iron block, an alloy cylinder head, and a pushrod drivetrain that was built in displacements of 2.5–4.5 L (153–275 cu in).
TheJaguar AJ-V8 engine— Jaguar's first V8 engine for road cars— has been in production since 1996. This engine is an all-aluminium construction with double overhead camshafts. It has been produced in both naturally aspirated and supercharged configurations.
Land Rover and Range Rover produced vehicles fitted with theRover V8naturally aspirated petrol engine 1970–2004, theFord TDV8turbocharged diesel engine 2007–2012, theBMW M62naturally aspirated petrol engine 2002–2006 andN63twin-turbo petrol V8 from 2022, theJaguar AJ-V8from petrol engine (in both naturally aspirated and supercharged configurations) from 2006–present and theFord 4.4 Turbo Dieselengine from 2010–current.
The 1970–1977Triumph V8was used solely for the Triumph Stag coupe. This engine had a cast-iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, single overhead camshafts, and a displacement of 3.0 L (183 cu in).
The 1996–2003TVR Speed Eight enginewas used in the Cerbera road cars and the Tuscan Challenge racing cars. This engine had an all-aluminium construction, single overhead camshafts, a flat-plane crankshaft, and an unusual V-angle of 75 degrees.
United States
editThe first automotive V8 engine to reach production was the 1914–1935Cadillac L-Headengine introduced in the Type 51 model.[64]The L-head had an alloy crankcase, a single iron casting for each cylinder block and head, side valves, a flat-plane crankshaft and a displacement of 5.1 L (314 cu in).[65]An electricstarter motorwas used, eliminating the large engines being difficult to start with hand-cranking.
The Cadillac engine was followed by a V8 model fromPeerless(using an engine manufactured by an amusement park manufacturer) in 1915.[66][67]
The first American V8 production engine withoverhead valves(a 'pushrod' engine) was used by the 1917Chevrolet Series D.This engine used a counterweighted crankshaft, a detachable crossflow cylinder head, and had a displacement of 4.7 L (288 cu in).[68]Production of the Series D models ended in 1918.
The 1924Cadillac Type V-63was powered by the first American V8 to use a cross-plane crankshaft, which reduced vibrations.[69]A year later, Peerless also introduced a cross-plane crankshaft V8. Other manufacturers producing V8 engines by the mid-1920s included Lincoln, Ferro, Northway (supplier to Cadillac), Cole (Indianapolis and Mississippi), Perkins (Detroit), Murray, Vernon, and Yale.[70]
A significant development in providing V8 engines in more affordable cars was the 1932 through 1954Ford Flathead V8.The Flathead V8 reduced production costs by using amonobloc(or "en bloc" ) construction, where each cylinder bank is made from a single piece of cast metal. The engine was fitted to the low-costFord Model 18car, offering superior performance to its competitors.[71]
Demand for larger cars increased in the years following World War II, and the wider bodies were well suited to the fitment of V8 engines. This led to many manufacturers introducing overhead valve V8 engines, such as the 1949–1964Oldsmobile Rocket engine,the 1949–1962Cadillac 331 engine,the 1951–1958Chrysler Firepower engine,theStudebaker's 1952 V8 engine, the 1953–1966Buick Nailhead engine,the 1954–2002Chevrolet small-block engine,the 1954–1963Lincoln Y-block V8 engine,the 1955–1981Pontiac V8 engine,and the 1956–1967AMC Rambler engine.[72][73]
Engine displacements grew with the expanding size offull-size carsthrough the 1950s to mid-1970s. This led to 'big block' engines such as:
- 6.0 L (368 cu in)Lincoln Y-block enginereleased in 1955 for the 1956 model year
- 6.9 L (421 cu in)Pontiac Super Duty enginereleased in 1960 for the 1961 model year
- 7.0 L (426 cu in)Chrysler Hemi enginereleased in 1964 for the 1965 model year
- 7.0 L (428 cu in)Ford FE enginereleased in 1965 for the 1966 model year
- 7.4 L (454 cu in)Chevrolet big-block enginereleased in 1969 for the 1970 model year.
Big-block engines reached their zenith with the 8.2 L (500 cu in)Cadillac 500 engineused in the 1970 Cadillac Eldorado coupe. During the 1970s, due to the oil crises and the gradual tightening of emission standards, big-block V8s were affected,. As a result, their use in passenger cars decreased as manufacturers began to phase them out for more efficient designs.
Before the late 1970s, sharing engines between General Motors' divisions was uncommon. This enabled each division to have its unique engine character but made for much duplication of effort. The company has since implemented the sharing of engines across divisions; however, some divisions (such as Cadillac) still maintain some engines specific to their division. Ford and Chrysler had fewer divisions and favored brand-specific shared designs.
In 2011, GM built its 100-millionth unit of theChevrolet small-block engine,making that engine family the most produced V8 engine in the world.[74]
American manufacturers continue to produce large displacement V8 engines, despite the strategy of downsizing engines (often in conjunction with turbocharging) being adopted by many European and Asian manufacturers.[75][76][77][78]These engines continued to use pushrod (overhead valve) valvetrains long after most overseas engines had switched to dual overhead camshaft designs. Examples include the 6.4 L (392 cu in)Chrysler Apache engineproduced from 2011–present, the 7.3 L (445 cu in)Ford Godzilla engineproduced from 2020–present,[79][80][81][82]and the 6.6 L (401 cu in)GM L8T engineproduced from 2020–present.[83][84][85][86][87]
American manufacturers have concurrently produced more modern DOHC engines, such as theChevrolet Gemini small-block engine,Cadillac's turbochargedCadillac Blackwing V8,[88][89]and theFord Modular V8.
Vietnam
editInVietnam,VinFastused a V8 engine in the full-size SUVVinFast Presidentfrom December 2020.[90]
Airplane use
editSeveral early aircraft engines used a V8 configuration, such as the French 1904Antoinetteengine and 1906Buchetengines. The 1905 version of the Antoinette engine produced 37 kW (50 hp) with 86 kg (190 lb) of weight (including cooling water), resulting in apower-to-weight ratiothat was not surpassed for 25 years.[91]
Early airplanes continued to use V8 engines. During World War One, V8 aircraft engines included the FrenchRenault 8G,the SpanishHispano-Suiza 8,the BritishSunbeam Arab,and the AmericanCurtiss OX-5.
The 1915Hispano-Suiza 8SOHC engine was designed byMarc Birkigtfrom Switzerland and was built byHispano-Suizain France and Spain as well as under license in England and the United States.[92]This engine was used by American, French, and British military aircraft in World War One. It was one of the most important engines with most of the leading aces piloting aircraft powered by this dependable, flexible-performance, as well as light and well-balanced Hispano-Suiza 8 engine.[93]By 1922, the versions incorporated improvements by Wright Aeronautical and was considered the lightest and most efficient pursuit engine in the world.[92]
After this time, flat-eight engines became more commonplace than V8 engines due to their lighter crankshafts and better suitability for air cooling. One of the few remaining V8 airplane engines by World War Two was the GermanArgus As 10inverted V8, which was air-cooled and used in several trainers and small utility aircraft.[94]
Marine vessel use
editThe V8 configuration is not commonly used in marine vessels. Nevertheless, the arrangement provides for a short engine that is also well-balanced for high-speed work.[95]In addition to gasoline fuel, several marine diesel V8 engines have been produced by companies such as Brons, Scania, and Yanmar.
Gray Marine Motor Companywas one of the first to use petrol V8 engines for marine use.[96]Engines fromAmerican Motors Corporation(AMC) were utilized by Gray Marine from 1957 until 1968. They were marketed as "Fireball" inboards and available in 4.1, 4.7, and 5.4 L (250, 287, and 327 cu in) versions.[97]They used a variety of carburetor combinations, including single and dual Carter one barrel YH side-drafts, Carter two-barrel, and Carter AFB/AVS four-barrel types.[98]The engine is mostly the same as for automobile applications, with changes to freeze plugs and cam profiles (to reduce top rpm), and well as positive displacement pump to cool each cylinder bank separately and evenly. Reverse rotation allowed for use in twin-engine boats.[98]The "Fireball" engines often poweredCenturymotor yachts and many Lyman boats. In the 1970s, AMC's 5.9, 6.4, and 6.6 L (360, 390, and 401 cu in) V8 engines were also available as marine versions, with most fitted tojet drive boatsforwater skiing.[99]
Wärtsilä 31, a four-stroke medium-speed diesel engine manufactured byWärtsilä,is one of the few large marine diesel engines available in V8 configuration.[100]The 8V31 model, which has a cylinder bore of 31 centimetres (12 in), is available as diesel (8V31), dual-fuel (8V31DF), and pure gas (8V31SG) configurations with an output of 4,400 to 4,880 kilowatts (5,900 to 6,540 hp) depending on the model.[101][102][103]
Motorcycle use
editUntilBoss Hoss Cyclesbegan production in 1990, the fewV8 motorcyclesmade were either prototypes or racing machines.
In 1907,Glen Curtissset an unofficial world record of 136.36 mph (219.45 km/h) on a home-made 4.0 L (244 cu in) motorcycle.[104]TheMoto Guzzi V8was a 499 cc (30.5 cu in) motorcycle capable of 275 km/h (171 mph)[105]used for Grand Prix racing from 1955 until 1957.[106]The 1994Morbidelli V8was a 848 cc (51.7 cu in) concept motorcycle which did not reach production. As of 2006[update],Boss Hoss had sold over 4,000 bikes and trikes with Chevrolet V8 car engines.[107]
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