The End of the V8: Which Automakers Are Holding On?
The automotive industry is undergoing a massive transformation. Strict emissions rules and the push for better fuel economy are forcing automakers to retire the legendary V8 engine. While twin-turbo V6s and hybrid powertrains are becoming the new standard, a few defiant brands are fighting to keep the V8 alive.
The Driving Force Behind the V8 Transition
For decades, the V8 engine was the ultimate symbol of American performance, towing capability, and durability. Today, automakers face heavy pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States and Euro 7 emissions standards in Europe. These regulations require massive reductions in tailpipe emissions and significant improvements in fuel efficiency.
To meet these targets, engineers are replacing large displacement V8s with smaller engines equipped with turbochargers and electric motors. This strategy allows a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine to produce the same power as a 5.7-liter V8 while burning much less fuel during normal daily driving.
The Automakers Saying Goodbye to the V8
Several historic brands have recently made the difficult decision to remove the V8 from their most popular vehicles entirely.
Stellantis Abandons the Hemi
Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler, has officially retired the famous Hemi V8. For the 2025 model year, the Ram 1500 truck no longer offers the 5.7-liter V8. The legendary supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 is also dead.
Instead, Stellantis is relying on its new 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin-Turbo Inline-6 engine. This new powerplant is highly capable. The High Output version of the Hurricane produces 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque, which easily beats the numbers generated by the outgoing Hemi V8. The upcoming 2025 Dodge Charger will also use this Hurricane inline-6 engine, completely replacing the V8 muscle car format.
Toyota Moves to Hybrid Power
Toyota has historically relied heavily on naturally aspirated V8 engines for its large trucks and SUVs. That era has officially ended. The current generation Toyota Tundra and Sequoia completely dropped the old 5.7-liter V8.
Toyota replaced it with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain. This system pairs a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor to generate 437 horsepower and a massive 583 lb-ft of torque. The Lexus LX 600 and Toyota Land Cruiser also abandoned eight-cylinder engines in favor of turbocharged four and six-cylinder hybrid setups.
The Brands Keeping the V8 Alive
Despite the massive industry shift, a handful of automakers refuse to let the V8 die.
Ford Motor Company
Ford continues to heavily invest in its V8 engines. The 2024 Ford Mustang features the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V8. In the Mustang Dark Horse edition, this engine produces an impressive 500 horsepower. Ford CEO Jim Farley has publicly stated that Ford plans to continue building V8 Mustangs for as long as it is legally allowed. Additionally, Ford still offers the 5.0-liter V8 as a core engine option for the F-150 pickup truck, selling it right alongside their twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engines.
General Motors
General Motors remains a strong defender of the V8, especially in its performance cars and full-size trucks.
- Chevrolet Corvette: The C8 Corvette Stingray features the 6.2-liter LT2 V8, while the track-focused Corvette Z06 uses a screaming 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 (the LT6) that revs to 8,600 RPM.
- Trucks and SUVs: The Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevy Tahoe, and Cadillac Escalade all continue to offer traditional 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 options.
Lexus
While Toyota has largely abandoned the V8 in its trucks, the Lexus luxury division still builds one of the best-sounding engines on the market. The 2024 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance and the Lexus LC 500 grand tourer both feature a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 472 horsepower. Lexus uses this engine purely to provide an emotional, high-revving driving experience that a turbocharged V6 simply cannot match.
The European Approach: Electrified V8s
European luxury automakers are taking a different route. Instead of killing the V8, brands like BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz are attaching plug-in hybrid systems to them.
The 2025 BMW M5 uses a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor to generate a staggering 717 horsepower. Porsche uses a very similar strategy in the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, combining a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with hybrid technology to meet emissions regulations while still providing massive acceleration. Mercedes-Benz has downsized some models (like the C63 AMG, which now uses a four-cylinder hybrid), but they still offer a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in top-tier vehicles like the G-Class and the AMG GT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are twin-turbo V6 engines replacing V8s?
Automakers use twin-turbo V6 engines because they perform better on government fuel economy tests and produce lower emissions. Turbochargers also allow these smaller engines to produce more low-end torque than older, naturally aspirated V8 engines, which makes them excellent for towing.
Will the V8 engine be banned entirely?
There is no specific law banning the V8 engine itself. However, government regulations regarding fleet-wide fuel economy and tailpipe emissions are becoming so strict that it is very expensive for automakers to keep building them.
Does the new Dodge Charger have a V8?
No. The new Dodge Charger will not have a V8. The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona models are fully electric. The gas-powered versions arriving in 2025 will use a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 engine called the Hurricane.
Is the Ford Mustang the last V8 muscle car?
Yes. With the Chevrolet Camaro ending production in early 2024 and the Dodge Challenger being replaced by inline-6 and electric models, the Ford Mustang is currently the only traditional V8 muscle car left on the market.