Ambrose Bierce described the future, tongue firmly in cheek, as "that period of time in which our affairs prosper, our friends are true, and our happiness is assured."

Certainly, fans of performance cars believe the writer's words.

Consider the 2011 Ford Mustang. It has a new, 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 305 horsepower, only 10 less than the V-8 in the 2010 Mustang GT. Step up to the 2011 GT's V-8, and it generates 412 hp. For the ultimate in performance, there's the Shelby GT500, which also gets a new mill: an aluminum-block, 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 rated at 550 hp. Prices start at $22,145 and top out at $53,645.

In other words, the Mustang's V-6 produces as much horsepower as a V-8 did a decade ago, while the V-8 generates about as much as a NASCAR Sprint Cup car running at Daytona.

It's a similar story for the Chevrolet Camaro (304-hp V-6 or 426-hp V-8) and the Dodge Challenger (250-hp V-6, 372-hp V-8 or a 425-hp Hemi).

Foreign automakers have been turning up the juice as well. The Mercedes-Benz S63 offers 604 hp, and the E63 packs 518 horses. Jaguar's XJ-R with 510 hp and the BMW M3's 420 hp also dish up enough tire-scrubbing potential to make performance buyers giddy.

Even small cars have gotten into the act. The Honda Civic Si has a 197-hp engine, almost as much power as a 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera.

Of course, it's easy to fall under the spell of this much motorized muscle, especially when its cost is so reasonable: The price of a V-6 domestic with ample power rivals that of a typical midsize sedan.

But you don't have to be a soothsayer to realize that we have reached a performance crescendo, similar to that of 1970, just before killer insurance rates and new emission regulations killed performance cars the first time around.

Once again, it's the government that will be seen as spoiling the party for enthusiasts. New EPA rules dictate that an auto manufacturer's fleet average 35 mpg by the 2020 model year.

That is a tall order. In a decade, automakers need to produce enough cars that yield ultrahigh mileage to offset the others in their lineups. Selling enough gas/electric hybrids at 150 mpg will more than offset a thirsty V-8, for now.

But once the ultraefficient cars become the norm, manufacturers will find a way to make them entertainingly fast. The V-8 engine may be on borrowed time, but performance cars are not.

Proof came at the Geneva Motor Show, where Porsche showed a gas-electric hybrid sports car with a 0-62 time of 3.2 seconds, 198 mph top speed and fuel economy rating of 78 mpg.

The idea of going fast while reducing dependence on foreign oil is very appealing.

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Great article. Thanks.

 

I do wonder how much longer the v8 will be in existance other than for trucks/commercial purposes

 

Nice read.
As for the V8.I don't see it going to far away anytime soon.To many of us still want to hear that V8 sound threw the exhaust.No matter what they do to the V6's,and they are turning into a great performer these day,it will not ever sound like a V8.Not knocking the 6,but it just doesn't have that deep,throaty sound.

 

^^^enviro weinies is all I will say^^^

 

As long as the V8's will run clean,and get excellent gas miliage,there shouldn't be an issue.My 98 F 150 i use to have with the 4.6L ran zero's accross the board on it's etest everytime i had it done,and got almost 600 k's to a tank.My current '06 does alright on fuel aswell considering the gas prices today,as for the etest,my first one will be next year,so i will let you know how it goes.I would use my GT as an example,but i changed some internal parts that aren't from the factory,so no talk there LOL