You Are Looking At The Last Ever Audi V8

Today is a sad day for fans of the V8. Audi, one of the largest users of the V8 is set to retire it after this current generation runs it’s course.

In an unfortunate turn of events to satisfy the ever increasing global regulations of fuel economy, a source has told Autocar that this generation of V8 will likely be Audi’s last as it turns is focus to a more battery centered strategy. By 2025, their hope is that 25-35% of their fleet will be battery-electric vehicles. Not fun.

“It would be very difficult to justify the huge investment in another new V8 because of the cost of developing electric drivetrains and battery packs. You have to ask what is the best use of investment money.”

The new V8 engine has just made its debut in diesel form in the Audi SQ7, where it is equipped with two conventional turbochargers and an electric ‘blower’ that spools the turbochargers up to operating speed regardless of the engine speed.

The engine will also be produced in petrol form for future Audi, Bentley and Porsche models.

The VW Group source said engineers are particularly pleased with the V8 diesel installation in the second-generation Porsche Panamera, describing the upcoming model as “really, really impressive”.

But of course this doesn’t matter because it’s going the way of the do-do due to regulations. *Sniff*

Global fuel economy regulations are putting pressure on the V8 engine as a concept. As a result, many car manufacturers are looking to downsize to V6 powertrains or even, in the case of Volvo, producing only four-cylinder engines and using hybrid electric drive to deliver extra performance when the driver wants it.

Now here’s the thing. I love the potential of hybrid/electric drive engines increasing performance, but the V8 is easily my favorite engine. So many different engine notes, layouts, mapping strategies, and a multitude of other reasons that I can’t think of off the top of my head have lead me to love the V8. One less in this world is incredibly sad. Thankfully we still have the Mustang GT350 and Jaguar F-Type R to pick up the slack.

(Source: Autocar)