V-8
-
If lithium-ion batteries are "the heart of Fisker," according to new owner Wanxiang, then what does it say is "the soul of Fisker"? That would be the VL Destino, a version of the Fisker Karma range-extended electric luxury sedan with no batteries, electric motors, or plugs at all. MORE: Who's Still Buying Brand-New Fisker Karmas, And Why? The Destino is powered instead by a supercharged V-8 engine from a Chevrolet Corvette, which takes it to a projected top speed of 200 mph. And Wanxiang, China's largest auto-parts supplier, plans to build and sell both versions now that its purchase of...
-
VL Destino's Corvette-Powered Fiskers Still On Target
A V-8 conversion isn't your typical eco-modification, but for Fisker Karma customers it's one way of ensuring a longer-term survival for their vehicle since the company's troubles started well over a year ago. The conversions are offered by VL Automotive, backed by Bob Lutz and using one of two...
Antony Ingram -
What Now For Fisker Karma Owners: Are V-8s Their Likely Fate?
The 2012 Fisker Karma is one of the most striking vehicles on the road today. It's also on its way to becoming an orphan. With just 2,000 or so made, the low, sleek four-door luxury sport sedan and its range-extended electric drivetrain haven't been produced for 10 months. Some dealers have...
John Voelcker -
Fisker Karma-Based Destino: 2013 Detroit Auto Show Live Photos
One of the late surprises announced before the Detroit Auto Show was from VL Automotive, and its Fisker Karma-based Destino V-8 sedan. Stripping the 2.0-liter GM engine and electric drivetrain from the Karma might remove its unique selling point, but with the help of Bob Lutz the Karma's appeal has...
Antony Ingram -
Destino--The Corvette-Powered Fisker Karma: Detroit Auto Show
If you've always felt the 20 mpg Fisker Karma is a little bit too green, a new sport sedan based on the Fisker Karma might be just the car you're looking for. The VL Automotive Destino is essentially Henrik Fisker's range-extended electric car, with all the expensive drivetrain components removed...
Antony Ingram -
Chevy Unveils New, More Fuel-Efficient Small-Block V-8
Sitting under the hood of the next-generation 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, is a next-generation V-8 engine, both more powerful and more efficient than ever. It's said that the biggest gains in fuel efficiency can come from the least-efficient vehicles. As such, the new Corvette should be a huge...
Antony Ingram -
If you haven't already clicked off the page in disgust, or headed straight to the comment section to voice your displeasure, then thanks for sticking with us on this one... No, judged against vehicles that are purpose-designed to be green, there's nothing particularly eco-friendly nor fuel-sipping about a V-8 engine. However, given the luxury and the freedom of choice, some people simply want one. Some may even need one, and if that's the case then you may still be interesting in maximizing your MPG--which is where the following five vehicles come in. We've picked the sports car, truck, SUV...
-
Small Four-Cylinder Engines Are Here To Stay
There was a time when most car buyers looked on small capacity four-cylinder engines with distain. To them, unless an engine had 6-cylinders or more, it was over-stressed, underpowered and only fit for use in small European or Japanese economy cars. Nowadays, increases in gas prices, combined with...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Bentley Will Use V-8, W-12 Engines In Plug-In Hybrid
For years, prestige car brands remained insulated from the drive towards greater fuel economy and higher gas mileages. However, tightening regulations on gas mileage and emissions have forced many luxury automakers to take fuel economy seriously for the first time, requiring them to look for...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
GM To Invest $890 Million In Making Its V-8 Engines Save Gas
Going green on the road may involve smaller engines, electric cars, and clean diesels, but it also requires making all engines far more fuel efficient. To that end, General Motors will announce this morning that it will invest almost one billion dollars in five separate plants to build a new, far...
John Voelcker -
Fuel Efficient Fours Gain Ground on V-6s, V-8s In New Cars
At December's Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai made a big splash by saying it would no longer offer V-6 engines in its Sonata midsize car or its Tucson compact crossover. Instead, it replaced them with higher-performance, more fuel-efficient four-cylinder motors. But Hyundai's just one of many makers...
John Voelcker