V-8 engine on way out in new cars

NEW YORK, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The powerful, legendary V-8 engine is pretty much being relegated to history except for a few cases, U.S. auto industry reports say.

Most automakers are no longer putting the V-8 under the hoods of family cars, USA Today said in a New York report. Even the V-6's are reported to be losing popularity as more people opt for the V-4. Observers see the V-8 in particular as no longer politically correct.

Automakers introducing new V-8s are said to be confining them to a few premium cars or high-performance sports models and trailer-towing trucks.

Among new models still to be equipped with the V-8 are the Cadillac CTS-V, the Dodge Challenger and Hyundai Genesis. Automakers are stressing that the new V-8s are more fuel efficient.

But, General Motors is dumping the eight-cylinder engine from its 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover next year and Ford says it won't offer a V-8 in its Lincoln MKS sedan.