All through the primary quarter of the twenty first century so far, the automotive panorama has develop into virtually incomparable to that which got here earlier than it. Autos have modified to some extent the place they’re virtually unrecognizable from a mechanical standpoint, because of developments similar to electrical turbochargers, hybrids, and electrical automobiles. EVs particularly are enjoying a significant function within the altering of the guard right here, as they give the impression of being to be the inexperienced future that the automotive business is headed in the direction of. Nevertheless, this additionally means that the inner combustion engine will quickly meet its definitive finish.
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The V8, rear-wheel drive sedan is dying, however these with a handbook gearbox? These are dying even faster.
But even withstanding this inexperienced future, the sentiment concerning raucous, gas-guzzling engines appears to be altering. The naturally aspirated V8 serves as an ideal instance of this, particularly in sedan functions the place the disadvantages of taking an unboosted powertrain route are far outweighed by the advantages of such a route, particularly with a V8 block as the bottom. The truth is, there is just one unboosted V8 sedan that Individuals can purchase these days, and its nation of origin will likely be stunning to most.
This text cites official gross sales figures from Lexus and Chrysler/Stellantis, obtained by way of GoodCarBadCar.internet.
The Final NA V8 In America Is not Even American
Horsepower
472hp
Torque
395ft-lb @ 4800rpm
Transmission
8-speed Sport Direct-Shift automated
High pace
149 mph
0-60 time
4.4 seconds
MPG
20 MPG mixed
The automobile laying declare to the title of the final NA V8 in America is none apart from the 2024 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Efficiency. The engine is a formidable one as properly, producing 472 horsepower and 395lb-ft of torque at 4800rpm. It turns that energy right into a prime monitor pace of 149 mph, and a blistering 0-60 time of simply 4.4 seconds in its rear-wheel drive configuration. The automobile additionally does respectably properly on fuel contemplating its V8 standing, getting a mixed 20 MPG estimate.
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This isn’t solely probably the most reasonably priced V8-powered efficiency sedan available on the market right now, however it might even be the one reasonably priced V8 sports activities sedan left.
This engine is paired with an eight-speed Sport Direct-Shift automated transmission and comes with paddle shifters on the wheel as properly. Mixed with its suspension, which sees double-wishbones utilized in entrance and a multi-link setup with coil springs within the again, the IS 500 F Sport Efficiency supplies an extremely pleasing and well-handling experience, which can be because of the entire above being paired with a inflexible welded-steel unibody body.
Lexus’ Staying Energy
The automobile will get spectacular top-end energy out of the engine, even when the low-end leaves a bit to be desired contemplating the automotive’s as-near-as-makes-no-difference 3,891-pound curb weight. Sticking with the NA V8 engine as the main focus, Lexus additionally manages to keep away from the commonest draw back of automakers going for downsized turbocharged engines. As you may know, turbo lag is simply part of dwelling that boosted life, although automakers are getting round this problem by utilizing electrical turbochargers and different cool strategies.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to beat the immediacy of a naturally aspirated engine, which is among the foremost causes this automotive is so enjoyable to drive. You step on the throttle, and the ability is there.
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There’s additionally the truth that Lexus is named a dependable model because of its origins as a Toyota offshoot, boasting the identical reliability and relative affordability in comparison with different luxurious automobiles. With correct common upkeep, any Lexus automobile can simply be pushed for a whole bunch of hundreds of miles earlier than it kicks the bucket. If one thing goes flawed past common upkeep, these repairs will likely be a lot more cost effective than they in any other case can be for opponents. That is particularly advantageous with regards to outlasting opponents, as Lexus can typically undercut their foes with regards to the prices of elements and labor.
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The ultimate reply as to why the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Efficiency has had such endurance relative to its opposition stems from how widespread the IS vary is within the USA. After down years in 2019 and 2020 with 14,920 and 13,600 models bought respectively, 2021 and onward have seen the corporate regroup and promote greater than 20,000 IS models in 2021, 2022, and 2023. It is also on monitor to hit this determine in 2024, with Lexus’ reported gross sales figures by way of June placing the whole at 10,149.
Large Names That Bit The Mud
On account of these main benefits, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Efficiency has managed to outlast a few of the most recognizable names available on the market with regards to naturally aspirated V8 sedans. Whereas the way forward for the EV has performed a job within the deaths of some opponents, others merely suffered from a scarcity of curiosity as a result of their unboosted engines didn’t present sufficient horses in a power-obsessed world.
2020 Lexus GS F
As for why the 2020 Lexus GS F was outlasted by its direct peer, it is tough to attribute it to any particular mechanical failures or shortcomings of the automotive. As an alternative, there was a normal lack of curiosity from customers in each the GS F particularly and in the complete GS lineup. Per Lexus’ gross sales figures for the 2019 12 months, the GS line was their lowest promoting with slightly below 3,400 models moved throughout the complete fiscal 12 months, accounting for simply over 1% of the model’s United States gross sales for the 12 months.
Whereas a part of this may be attributed to a shift in shopper preferences from sedans to SUVs on the time throughout the luxurious market, there’s additionally the truth that the GS line and the GS F particularly could not sustain with opponents. Direct opponents included the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and different equally sporty luxurious sedans. There’s additionally the truth that, because of the GS F missing any increase in any way and its opponents having it in spades, the automobile was just too underpowered relative to its opponents to fairly compete.
2023 Chrysler 300S
Whereas the Chrylser 300S suffered from related issues to the GS F, there was additionally the difficulty of dwindling gross sales on the 300 line as an entire, in flip making it tougher to justify the manufacturing of high-end variants just like the S. The 300, each in its base and S variants, additionally serves as the primary instance right here of casualties that may be attributed to the push for EVs within the business. Stellantis themselves, being the guardian firm of Chrysler, have overtly stated as a lot, backing it up by discontinuing their present fleet of automobiles and seeking to rebuild from the bottom up in preparation for the automotive business’s seemingly inevitable inexperienced future. Fortunately, this future nonetheless contains ICE fashions.
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The Chrysler 300 could also be lifeless, however its wealthy historical past formed what American luxurious sedans are supposed to be.
But this wasn’t the one issue, as, just like the GS F, it additionally suffered from poor gross sales which contributed to its main decline. Whereas frequently breaking into five-figure gross sales by way of the previous couple of manufacturing years, it typically limped to this quantity, with annually slowly and slowly reducing it nearer to lacking this determine till being discontinued within the 2023 manufacturing 12 months. Whereas the automobile most famously often called the Poor Man’s Bentley could have a storied historical past within the American automotive business, it, sadly, could not lower it within the trendy period, even with a formidable 5.7 Hemi V8 below the hood. Oddly, the restricted version 300C, outfitted with the 6.4-liter V8, bought out in lower than 12 hours.
