Jaguar Imagines A Future Without A V8 Engine

Jaguar dispose their V8? WHY? This is worse than Cadillac without V8s (Escalade and V-series aside). I was very concerned that Jaguar would succumb to those inane new regulations that the EU proposed recently. Now it has become obvious that Jaguar is willing to sacrifice part of their identity just to meet those regs. A total shame if they essentially turn Jaguar into a tarted-up, soulless Lincoln.

Electric motors provide superior torque anyway

True if everything goes electric, and the supercharged V6 does make 380 hp so it is a pretty strong engine. But Jaguar without V8s will be a sad day. What is scary is when you see companies like Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes moving away from V8s, Audi sort of already did. We are about 5 years away from V8s only being in AMG or M cars, and optional in the S-class and 7-series. Cars under $75,000 with a V8 could be really rare come 2020.

Jag survived being without their V12, they can survive no V8. So few buy Jaguars of any cylinder count, the needle will hardly blip.

Jag is a label much like Coach purses. people who buy them are mostly unaware of the engine and cylinder count as Balthazar says. From a history point and for those of use that are auto nuts, we will miss the V8. yet most cars today can get by without them. I truly hope the hybrids with a proper generator can truly produce the performance. As Drew stated, Electric does have superior Torque.

So who is up for starting a company that makes Performance Electric Motors? Think of this as a 3rd party upgrade for those that buy a Volt, Prius, etc and want more performance.

Historically, Jaguar's engines were straight 6s...the V12s were low volume and the V8 is a relatively recent development. Alas, they don't have straight 6s anymore, so they've already lost their iconic engine and seem to be doing ok.

Now if Jaguar went all-electric, that would be an interesting development. The better question is whether ANY carmaker can make a car with an electric motor (as opposed to Tesla with just a battery) that just works and is affordable.