Tag Archives: V8 engine

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Lamborghini Bets on Synthetic Fuels to Preserve the Combustion Engine Legacy

As the automotive industry accelerates toward an electric future, Lamborghini is taking a detour—one powered by synthetic fuels rather than lithium-ion batteries. The iconic Italian supercar maker has made it clear that the internal combustion engine (ICE) remains central to its identity, even as global regulations threaten to phase it out.

In a recent interview with CarExpert, Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to ICEs, arguing that synthetic fuel could be the key to their survival. “Synthetic fuel could be the savior of the combustion engine,” Mohr stated, adding that Lamborghini’s new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, set to power the upcoming Temerario, is capable of running efficiently on both gasoline and synthetic fuel.

Despite announcing its first electric vehicle (EV), Lamborghini has delayed its debut, signaling a lack of confidence in current EV solutions to deliver the same visceral thrill as a roaring V8. “If you ask me the emotion side at the moment… I don’t see the [electric] solution that is convincing now,” Mohr said. He believes that while EVs will eventually win broader acceptance, a new generation of enthusiasts may rediscover the allure of old-school combustion.

Synthetic fuels, often called e-fuels, are produced from renewable sources using water, carbon dioxide, and green electricity. They offer the promise of carbon-neutral emissions, a potential loophole in the European Union’s 2035 ban on new CO₂-emitting vehicles. While combustion engines won’t be outright banned, they must run on such carbon-neutral fuels to remain compliant.

However, widespread adoption remains a long shot. Synthetic fuels are still in their infancy, with production limited and costs high. That hasn’t deterred Lamborghini—or its parent company, the Volkswagen Group. Porsche, another marque under VW’s umbrella, has been producing synthetic fuel in Chile since late 2022 through a partnership with Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF). Their pilot project uses wind energy to generate hydrogen and combine it with CO₂ to create a renewable fuel—one Porsche has already used to power a 911.

Other luxury automakers are also testing the waters. Ferrari, Bentley, and Bugatti have expressed interest in synthetic fuels, while mainstream manufacturers like Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru are exploring alternative ICE technologies, including hydrogen combustion.

Still, industry analysts remain cautious. The global shift toward electrification has absorbed much of the industry’s capital, and developing an infrastructure for synthetic fuel may prove too expensive for mass-market viability. Most automakers are betting on battery EVs, not combustion’s revival.

For Lamborghini, the road ahead is split. While EVs may dominate the future, the brand is placing a high-stakes bet that there will still be space—and demand—for the visceral, emotional experience of a roaring engine fueled by innovation, not gasoline.

Source: Motor1, CarExpert; Photo: Lamborghini

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Great Wall Motors developed a new V8 engine

China is a major player when it comes to electric cars, and now its companies are trying to shift their leadership to combustion engines. Great Wall Motors has unveiled its first V8 engine that runs at up to 8,000 rpm.

At the Shanghai Auto Show, Great Wall Motors unveiled the result of its four-year project, a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. What sets this engine apart from other V8 engines is the two turbochargers mounted parallel between the cylinder blocks in a “V” configuration.

This engine is designed to be a hybrid or even a plug-in hybrid on demand, and is also specific in that the electric motor is installed between the engine and the automatic transmission. This means that the V8 is only used when power is needed. The V8 engine also has a dual-injection system, which means it has both direct and indirect injection. This system uses the Mustang’s 5.0-liter V8 engine, which offers excellent performance and efficiency.

Great Wall Motors announced that the V8 engine will make its debut in the mid-size SUV Tank, a rival to the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Ranger Raptor and Mercedes G-Class models.

Source: Great Wall Motors

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AC Cobra with 4-cylinder engine

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The AC Cobra is one of the most iconic and celebrated sports cars in automotive history. From its humble beginnings as a collaboration between a British car manufacturer and an American racer, it evolved into one of the most revered sports cars of all time. It was offered in several versions with a V8 engine, and from 2026 the company announces a version with a four-cylinder engine.

The AC Cobra’s story begins in the mid-1950s when AC Cars, a British luxury vehicle manufacturer, was struggling financially. The company had produced the AC Ace roadster since 1953, but it was not successful enough to compete with the demand for more powerful cars. To remain relevant, AC Cars needed innovation. Enter Carroll Shelby, a successful Texan racer who had already won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1959. Shelby saw potential in the AC Ace and proposed fitting it with an American V8 engine. This idea led to the creation of the AC Cobra in 1962. Shelby chose the Ford 260-cubic-inch (4.3-liter) V8 engine, which was unconventional for British sports cars, as they typically used smaller engines. The combination of the lightweight AC Ace and the powerful V8 engine resulted in an incredible performance machine. The Cobra’s success was immediate, captivating both road enthusiasts and racers. In 1963, the Cobra was upgraded to the 289 model, featuring a larger 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8 engine, offering even more power and handling. The AC Cobra’s blend of lightweight design, powerful engine, and aggressive style turned it into an automotive legend.

In 2023, a new version was launched, the AC Cobra GT, with an aluminum frame, carbon body, weight less than 1,450 kg and a supercharged V8 engine. The new option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and AC Cars did not say who will be the engine supplier. Also, final engine specifications have not been released yet, but it is expected to deliver up to 395 horsepower. Along with the new engine comes a new 6-speed manual transmission, as well as a dual-clutch gearbox. Some information suggests that the offer could also include the same engine but with less horsepower.

Source: AC Cars

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