For years now we've been seeing carmakers trend towards smaller engines. V8s are getting dropped for V6s, and V6s are getting dropped for turbo fours. While that's good for emissions and fuel economy — and in many cases, performance hasn't suffered either — big engines are undeniably great in their own way.
So mad props to the Fiat Group, who are reportedly going against the grain by developing a new V8 turbo diesel engine with something like 360 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, according to Carscoops.
The word on the street is that if the V6 diesel in the new Maserati Ghibli is a success, Fiat will push forward with this big oil burner.
Why is Fiat going this route? To stick it to Volkswagen, according to Car and Driver. They say the Porsche Cayenne S diesel has the longest waiting lists within the entire VW Group.
At the same time, the field of large-displacement diesel engines for vehicles that aren't pickup trucks has all but dried up except for VW and Land Rover. Fiat's Sergio Marchionne may see this as a way to fill a void in the market.
We'll have to see if they go for it or not, and if they do, what cars it will end up in. A big Maserati is probably a safe bet. How about a mid-engine Alfa Romeo sports car with that huge diesel V8 in it?
Hey, I can dream, right?
DIGITAL JUICE
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