So Long V8 Cadillacs
This is what I've said many times before. You don't really need a V8 if the V6 is designed well enough. The Acura RL, despite the low sales, proved that.....so did a number of Nissan/Infiniti cars with the excellent 3.5L and 3.7L V6s.
I do expect to see GM V8s, though, stay on for the big, full-size SUV's and trucks.
I do expect to see GM V8s, though, stay on for the big, full-size SUV's and trucks.
for 2nd lineup, etc... i agree that smaller engines could be used to help sales and provide variations, but on certain platforms for manufacturers, larger engines speak.
and yes, i also don't think v8 will go away any time soon. the market for larger engines in top of the line cars (especially luxury) is still there
I think a refined version of that arguing: "We don't want to spend $300 Million on a new V8" makes sense. But not a "no V8 for Cadillac" argument.
My $0.02
love the northstar, but on another note, i just hope the factory in tonowanda stays open, my dad's office is very near there, and many of his patient's /friends work there, and the last thing this area needs is more jobs lost, sorry if this was a little of topic
the orig article is kinda vague and inflammatory; I can see Caddy using the V8 architecture from the Vette motor in certain models. Just cuz they don't want to invest in a new DOHC V8 doesn't mean they'll forego 8's entirely, at least while the Vette, new Camaro, etc are using them.
guys, I dont think mmarshall is saying a V6 will sell the car like camrys and accords. He even mentioned that by acknowledging the low sales figure. What I think he's trying to say is that the V6 performs well enough for the application, which is true. If people buy cars for what they are and not for image and status, the RL would sell. But since the luxury world is driven by image, a V8 engine provides the halo-effect the car needs to sell.
Make no mistake about it.........this CAFE stuff is SERIOUS buisness. Most of you are younger than I am and weren't around, like I was, when the first CAFE laws were done back in the early-mid 70's, and for the earlier emissions laws when the high-powered cars of the 1960's were forced out of production. I saw first-hand what happens when laws like this are passed. The V8's that did survive did so only by loopholes and in effect were V6s. The auto industry as we knew it back then was changed radically, never to return. We are in for some (hopefully to a lesser extent) of the same stuff now......all over again.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jan 3, 2008 at 05:43 PM.
My impression is that they will further develop the LSx engine in the Vette and use detuned or retuned designs in their V8 cars. Whether they drop the XLR or not, that and their V-series cars will probably use engines derived from this motor. I take this as a stop in design in a more technologically advanced DOHC V8 that would have directly replaced the Northstar. Their trusty pushrod small block designs will likely power more vehicles.
Just because GM has put a new V8 engine on hold doesn't mean they're going to stop selling V8s any time soon.
Also, GM is probably just looking at realities of the future CAFE situation. Lexus will actually face this too, although I don't know how CAFE 'fleet' calcs are done, whether for Lexus as part of Toyota, or whether Lexus has to meet CAFE by itself. But if Lexus has to meet it by itself, you can expect an IS150 soon.
As for the 6's doing what the 8's used to do, it's pretty much true, the GS350 is no slouch, the IS350 is quite fast, the RX has never had a V8.
I like the V8 smoothness though - usually V6s just can't match them in NVH.
Funny, I just realized I own two V8 vehicles and one 4 cylinder!
Also, GM is probably just looking at realities of the future CAFE situation. Lexus will actually face this too, although I don't know how CAFE 'fleet' calcs are done, whether for Lexus as part of Toyota, or whether Lexus has to meet CAFE by itself. But if Lexus has to meet it by itself, you can expect an IS150 soon.

As for the 6's doing what the 8's used to do, it's pretty much true, the GS350 is no slouch, the IS350 is quite fast, the RX has never had a V8.
I like the V8 smoothness though - usually V6s just can't match them in NVH.
Funny, I just realized I own two V8 vehicles and one 4 cylinder!














