I know that the 2025 CAFE standards have been pushed back for now, but that may or may not be reversed by whatever administration takes power in 2021. What are FCA and the other American auto makers doing to at least temporarily forestall the death of the V8? I'd still like to be able to buy a new Hemi Challenger in 7-10 years when I wear out my current one!
We've seen technology like VVT, MDS, eTorque, and direct fuel injection (which the Hemi doesn't have) appear, along with new and better fuel/air control systems, more efficient transmissions, etc. Dodge will likely also start incorporating weight reduction in the next gen cars. We also know that some form of mild hybrid electrification is coming to the next gen, per Sergio's words.
All this is good, but will it be enough to ensure the Hemi's survival?
Personally, I'd love to see Dodge adopt a technology like Mazda's Skyactiv-X () for the 4th gen Hemi, which would help both our wallets in fuel savings and keep the government regulators away for longer. It also seems to be the most cost-effective and simplest option, since it doesn't require new parts or more complex systems bolted on. Combine that with weight reduction, direct injection, and mild hybridization and I think we could potentially see 30-35mpg highway from a 392 cubic inch V8!
I don't know enough about IC engine engineering to say how our Hemi's performance would be affected by Mazda's approach though, perhaps someone better educated can shed light?
We've seen technology like VVT, MDS, eTorque, and direct fuel injection (which the Hemi doesn't have) appear, along with new and better fuel/air control systems, more efficient transmissions, etc. Dodge will likely also start incorporating weight reduction in the next gen cars. We also know that some form of mild hybrid electrification is coming to the next gen, per Sergio's words.
All this is good, but will it be enough to ensure the Hemi's survival?
Personally, I'd love to see Dodge adopt a technology like Mazda's Skyactiv-X () for the 4th gen Hemi, which would help both our wallets in fuel savings and keep the government regulators away for longer. It also seems to be the most cost-effective and simplest option, since it doesn't require new parts or more complex systems bolted on. Combine that with weight reduction, direct injection, and mild hybridization and I think we could potentially see 30-35mpg highway from a 392 cubic inch V8!
I don't know enough about IC engine engineering to say how our Hemi's performance would be affected by Mazda's approach though, perhaps someone better educated can shed light?