Issue #154

We love a good V8 engine, but what about the rest of unsung heroes that are no longer available? 

Today, we discuss the engines that could make a comeback.

Market News

• When was the last time you heard of Infiniti leading a reliability rating? Well, their latest full-size option is the most reliable, and the list is quite complete. 

• The Toyota Rav4 isn’t doing so great this year, after dethroning the F-150 in sales last year. Here’s why. 

• Hertz and Amazon agreed to sell used cars, so how does this affect auto dealers? For one, their operational costs might be their end. Here’s more. 

• This article explains the pros and cons of trading in your car. 

• Is the US automotive industry booming or is it stalling? Here’s more. 

• Carvana purchased new car dealerships focused on Stellantis, but why did they do that? For one, the dealerships were available. Here’s more on what this could mean for car dealers. 

• The company responsible for Fram just filed for bankruptcy. Read more on why this is a big indicator of the aftermarket industry’s status. 

• Toyota teases the FJ Cruiser, and it poses a serious dilemma for its lineup. Where is it going to fit?

• All commercial trucks not made in the US will have tariffs, but it opens up a question about NAFTA and its implications. 

• Nissan launched its new Sentra; people love it, and it places GM in a bind because it has no sedans to compete. Here’s more. 

Safety and Recalls

• Jeep recalls more than 123,000 Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers because window trims detach. Here’s more. 

• BMW recalls more than 200,000 vehicles because of a risk of fire. Read here to find out more. 

Car Culture

• For 36 years, the Lexus LS proved luxury cars can be reliable and frugal, without being boring. Now, it’s retiring with this masterpiece. 

• This is the biggest displacement V8 engine ever put in a production car, but somehow, it wasn’t about performance. 

• Edmunds makes the comparison nobody asked for: which one is better, the Honda Civic hybrid or the Ford Maverick?

• Tom Cruise loved the Lexus SC. I mean, he really loved it. Here’s the story.

• A SWAT truck tried to ram a semi-truck and stop a chase. It didn’t work, here’s why.

• Here’s what ruins a car before 200,000 miles, according to one mechanic. 

• Jalopnik published the list of the last gas-powered cars you’d ever own. 

• Here’s how each generation spends time with their cars, in the survey you didn’t need, but somehow, will like. 

• This could have been America’s Ferrari, so what happened?

• You can have this Rambo Lambo SUV with 12,000 miles, but it will set you back a pretty penny. 

Video Of The Week

Doug DeMuro explains why high mileage doesn’t scare him, under certain conditions. 

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In The Know

The Curious Case of Naturally Aspirated, Powerful Engines

There’s a sleeper car that many people ignore. Duh, hence the term “sleeper car,” and it’s the perfect ride for anyone looking for some punch. 

I confess I’ve always wanted one. It’s the Chevy Monte Carlo SS. Yes, you might be scratching your head, but hear me out. 

Outside, it was mild, well-seasoned at most, and that was perfect. Understated is usually the way to go in life, but what really mattered was under the hood. 

This Monte Carlo SS came with 211 horsepower from a 3.5L V6 that was also bulletproof. Not only that, but it growled nicely, as you can listen here. 

Here’s more on how special this car was. 

But why am I gushing over a car from 2007? Basically, it’s because these engines are gone and, in their place, automakers have turned to four-cylinder powerplants with a gajillion turbos. 

It’s gotten so bad that even AMG, once known for its thundering V8s, went down this road. The four-cylinder C63 was so unpopular that Mercedes recently announced it’s ditching it, a decision that took longer than it should have. 

Why the switch in the first place? Emissions standards. Carmakers needed to reduce greenhouse gases, and turbos, combined with smaller engines, seemed like the solution, as they deliver more power with greater efficiency. 

The problem was that, even as far back as 2016, there was evidence that this wouldn’t work, as this article recalls. 

Then came the straw that broke the camel’s back, when policies shifted and emissions were no longer a critical requirement. Even the word is taboo, as this article explains. 

How does that affect us, the car consumer and user? It means one thing: fun. The catch is that it won’t come immediately. Turbos themselves may be fading, and in their place, the naturally aspirated engine is taking over. 

This article celebrates their comeback. 

With new policies loosening the pressure on automakers, there’s space to bring back the kind of powerplants that made cars exciting in the first place.

This is a must! Cars are boring now, and it’s not a 2025 problem. As Ars Technica pointed out back in 2022, modern vehicles have lost much of their “feel.” Steering feedback is numb, and driving engagement is watered down.

Cars got faster on paper but less fun in practice. Bringing back strong, naturally aspirated engines could inject personality back into the industry. It’d take a punchy, efficient V6 over a hybrid any time. 

This doesn’t mean a full return to gas-guzzling V8s in every driveway. The American market will always have an appetite for big power, but it’s not only about displacement.

A well-tuned six-cylinder or even a high-revving four-cylinder can make driving a thrill, as it did in the past, although I bet many people will opt for V8s. 

However, that places American automakers in an interesting spot.

The American market is the second-largest in the world and is more open than its Chinese counterpart (the largest in terms of size). So, what it chooses to do with its cars can resonate globally. 

However, other countries are relentlessly moving towards EVs, and American automakers can’t ignore that. 

As this article suggests, let’s build the V8, but don’t overlook researching EVs. 

The challenge—and opportunity—will be balancing two worlds: giving the American driver their horsepower fix, while staying competitive in the international EV race.

This brings me back to the Monte Carlo SS. A company like GM (Or Stellantis, Ford, and others) has the opportunity to revive their own “sporty car,” and it will bring some spice into the mix. At the same time, continue researching EV technology that will make the rest of car consumers happy.