The possible phasing out of V8 engines in Australia has caused quite a stir among car enthusiasts recently. With strict new emissions regulations coming into effect, some are concerned that the iconic V8 may no longer have a place in the Australian automotive landscape. But are V8 engines really on their way out? Let’s take a closer look at the situation.
What are the new emissions regulations?
In 2024, new emissions standards known as Euro 6 will come into effect for all new cars sold in Australia. These regulations dictate acceptable levels of air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from exhaust emissions. Euro 6 represents a significant tightening of the current Euro 5 standard.
Critically, the allowable nitrogen oxides limit for diesel vehicles will drop from 0.08 g/km to just 0.06 g/km. Petrol cars face only a small reduction from 0.06 to 0.05 g/km. However, to meet the new petrol standard, some re-engineering will still be required for many engines.
Why are V8 engines a concern?
Large capacity V8 petrol engines tend to produce relatively high levels of nitrogen oxides compared to smaller 4- and 6-cylinder engines. Their emissions are harder to control while maintaining performance. This makes meeting the strict new Euro 6 standards very challenging for V8s.
Currently, the most popular V8s in production Australian cars are:
- 5.0L V8 in Ford Mustang
- 6.2L V8 in Chevrolet Camaro
- 4.0L twin-turbo V8 in BMW M3
- 4.0L twin-turbo V8 in Mercedes-AMG C 63
Of these, the V8s in the Ford and Chevrolet muscle cars are expected to face the biggest challenge meeting Euro 6 based on their high emissions output.
What are car brands doing about it?
Manufacturers have a few options to keep V8s alive in the face of Euro 6:
- Direct injection – More precisely controlling fuel injection allows for cleaner combustion.
- Cylinder deactivation – Disabling cylinders when power demand is low reduces fuel consumption.
- Turbocharging – Forced induction downsizes engine capacity without loss of power.
- Hybrid assist – Electric motors supplement the engine, allowing it to work less.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz have pursued turbocharging combined with other technologies like direct injection to make their V8s Euro 6 compliant. But for Ford and Chevrolet, the way forward for the Mustang and Camaro is unclear.
Will Ford and Chevrolet have to ditch their V8s?
It’s unlikely Ford and Chevrolet will immediately abandon V8s in their Australian muscle cars due to their cult status. However, ensuring compliance may force substantive changes. Potential options include:
- Replace 5.0L and 6.2L V8s with smaller turbo V6s
- Add hybrid assist motors to reduce engine workload
- Limit V8 variants to low production track special editions
Ford are also working on cleaner burning hydrogen-fuelled V8 technology. But this would be an expensive solution only viable in limited numbers initially.
What about high-performance V8s?
Top-end high-performance V8s are most at risk from Euro 6 due to their extremely high outputs. For example, the Chevy Camaro ZL1 has a 6.2L supercharged V8 producing over 600hp. Such an engine would struggle to meet emissions limits in production numbers.
Performance brands will likely increasingly reserve V8s for limited edition track cars not intended for road registration. The <1,000 units per year exemption for small manufacturers may allow some leeway here. Mainstream performance models will switch to turbo V6 powertrains.
Will we lose V8 Supercars?
The V8 Supercars championship in Australia requires 5.0L V8 engines based on road car designs. With the current Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro engines potentially not Euro 6 compliant, the series could face an uncertain future post-2024.
If Ford and Chevrolet change their engines, V8 Supercars may have to follow suit. Though many fans would see this as the end of an era, others argue the racing should reflect road car powertrains. The series could potentially transition to turbo V6s while retaining its essence.
How are enthusiasts reacting?
There has been an outpouring of dismay from car enthusiasts at the potential loss of V8 performance cars in Australia. Petitions have started and the National Party has even discussed trying to lobby for the regulations to be softened.
But others argue these reactions are overblown. Modern turbo V6 engines can offer comparable power and performance to outgoing V8s. And climate change concerns mean vehicle emissions need to be reduced. The V8’s raw appeal will live on in limited editions.
Conclusion
Strict new Euro 6 emissions regulations will make it very difficult for mainstream production V8-powered cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro to continue in their current form after 2024. Manufacturers face a choice between investing in major engine modifications or switching to smaller turbo V6s.
Top-end high performance V8 models are likely to become niche low-volume offerings only. But with creative solutions, car brands should be able to keep the V8 flame alive in some form for true enthusiasts, even if its days in broad showroom circulation seem numbered.
The demise of Australian V8s has been exaggerated before. But this time, the regulatory challenges combined with trends towards engine downsizing and hybridization means we are likely witnessing the beginning of the end of Aussie V8 dominance. But the quintessential V8 thrill will never completely die.
Tables Comparing Current and Potential Future V8 Engines
| Car | Current Engine | Potential Future Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang | 5.0L V8 | Turbo V6 w/ hybrid assist |
| Chevy Camaro | 6.2L V8 | Smaller displacement turbo V8 |
| BMW M3 | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | No change expected |
| Mercedes-AMG C63 | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | No change expected |
| Engine | Power Output | Emissions Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0L V8 | 460 hp | High |
| 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | 503 hp | Lower |
| 6.2L supercharged V8 | 650 hp | Very high |