Monday 19th June 2017

V8s are great!

There aren't many naturally aspirated V8s left on sale, so let's celebrate them while we can!

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Think back maybe 10 or 15 years and, relatively speaking, we were spoilt by a choice of naturally aspirated V8s. You could have a non-M BMW 5 Series with one, you could have a Ferrari with one, you could have a Land Rover Discovery with one.

Now however, with the rise of turbos, diesels and hybrids, traditional big-cube V8s are under threat. Sure, they're still thundering along nicely in the US, but choice for European buyers is far more limited. And, well, you can't imagine a resurgence for them now, can you?

So while various turbo and hybrid arrangements are very good, we thought it high time to celebrate the last of a dying breed: those cars that rely purely on displacement and eight cylinders in a vee for their power. Because who doesn't love a V8?

There's something tremendously amusing about arriving at a photoshoot with a 4.7-litre car and that being the smallest engine in the group. To that end this is not a serious, analytical, objective assessment. This is not a test with a winner and a loser. This is a gathering of V8s, a reminder of why they're brilliant and - to be frank - an excuse to drive some cool cars. Enjoy!

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Introduction
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Maserati MC Stradale
Lexus RC F
Ford Mustang GT
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
Verdict

[Huge thanks to HR Owen for helping us out and loaning PH the MC Stradale you see here. It's currently for sale at the St Albans dealership]

[ZX10R NIN]

I love my 6.2 V8 in my CLK it is one addictive engine although the 4.7 Granturismo Sportline ran it close it wasn't as powerful but it just worked well with the car & you can't beat that sound.

[ZX10R NIN]

Saving up the funds to import one of these:



I mean just listen to it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtdtGgf1BF0

With the fact it handle to just seals the deal.

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's a review with more than a few V8's in the mix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4f4q52J9qY

[ZX10R NIN]

Nicholls22 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Saving up the funds to import one of these:



I mean just listen to it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtdtGgf1BF0

With the fact it handle to just seals the deal.

If only I earned enough to save for one. Love them finished in Ruby Red.

I like that Ruby red it'll be a couple of years but it's the car I need to have, having driven my uncles one I knew I had to get one & to hell with the LHD the engine note is nice & then you press the exhaust button & it goes batst I'm looking forward to driving it around Canary Wharf at night.

[ZX10R NIN]

Philv8s said:

Just wondered how the N/A camp view a supercharged V8? As it's forced induction but on the induction side and doesn't affect the exhaust side of combustion, buts adds a nice supercharger whine when revved up. The sounds out the exhaust are still undiluted by a turbo!

No problem with forced induction as long as you still have an engine note which most do but the best is either N/A or Supercharged you lose a little bit of throttle response with a TT V8 set up nothing that puts me off using mine but my N/A V8 is just that bit more enjoyable.

[ZX10R NIN]

sumpoil said:

I've been banging the GT350R drum for about 18 months now .... sadly the multi-national global corporation that is Ford don't seem to be listening to an insignificant little voice from the industrial midlands. Can't imagine why?!

I had a GT for a while and it was a great car .... but the niggle was always knowing that the GT350R was out there. A Mustang turned up to 11 - how could you not want one?! So the GT was sold, I banked the proceeds and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Ford have a change of heart on a Euro GT350 . I've investigated the import route, but at the moment you're looking at the thick end of £100k (if not more) for an R.

I worked it out to around 85k brand new or if I can find one with around 20k on the clock it works out to around 60k, that's if I can find someone who wants to sell, also when someone says what under the bonnet I'll say "a Voodoo V8" sad I know but it'll make me smile

[ZX10R NIN]

ZX10R NIN said:

Saving up the funds to import one of these: I mean just listen to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtdtGgf1BF0 With the fact it handle to just seals the deal.

This car is a disruptive product in terms of price / performance. A "game changer" as some in the US would say. Despite being sold by some (but not all) dealers with a hefty markup, there's tremendous value here. As you note, the soundtrack alone is a form of live entertainment.

I agree it's a game changer price & performance wise, Ford are deliberately holding back on how many are made but what a car every time I'm in the US I just grab my uncles keys & go for a blast, the best bit is even at low speed it's still an event so big grins each & every time.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'll just leave these for you to listen to:

https://youtu.be/MMNifBdm_o4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKv24AUVc9U