http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=31473

Twin turbo V6 in a supercar? An American supercar?

Sorry, but less than 8 cylinders for a supercar just turns me right off. A supercar should be exotic and rare and the engine is central to such a car.

The popular idea promoted in the media is that manufacturers are downsizing (cylinders / displacement) and slapping turbos on all their engines to meet emissions and economy targets. Why does this apply to niche models sold in low numbers? Are the targets mandatory for each model sold, or are they averaged across the manufacturer's entire range? If the latter, why are they doing this to the niche models? To be seen as 'socially acceptable' or 'eco-friendly'? Do buyers of niche models really care about / really want this in their supercars?

God, I hope Aston resists this trend for as long as possible, at least in their halo cars.

 

The XJ-220 had 6 cylinders and it was a supercar.

 

But it was originally supposed to have a 12 cylinder. What a shame...

I didn't say there weren't any supercars in the past with less than 8 cylinders. 959 and GT1 come to mind, as well.

Just my personal preference that a supercar should have an exotic engine, or at least, if the image fits (such as with an American car) a monstrous V8.

 

The Mustang has a V8....How can the GT not have a V8

 

I wonder about the same things. It's not like these cars are going to be sold in any number that would effect anything.

Also, turboed cars burn lots of gas too when driven like you'd expect a GT to be driven. At least in part, turbo cars do well in emissions tests because the tests are run at RPM levels at which the turbos aren't spooled up.

 

Aren't F1's just 1.6 litre and turbocharged now? They're pretty exotic!!

 

^^^Yeah, but they sound like sh#t. Seriously, many (me included) bemoan the change to turbocharged engines in F1. Just not the same....

 

I'm more disappointed by the lack of electric motors honestly.

 

It hasn't been said yet, but I think the design is flat-out gorgeous. Would not mind owning one. The original GT40 was the car that made me fall in love with the automobile. I used to play with a diecast model of it (and a DeTomaso Mangusta) when I was a little kid.

 

this is why i am slowly not caring about performance like i use to. i can respect these new kind of engines for there huge power while keeping good MPG. but i just cant fall in love with all this downsizing/add turbos to every car. its kind of boring, and lame. Sure a they are powerful engines. but nothing beats the the sound, and raw emotion of a high tuned n/A V8.

 

Yeah, it's gorgeous, and really cool. I "wouldn't mind" owning one either. There's just the small issue of the price.

BTW, the XJ-220 was a supercar but was a disappointment because it was originally supposed to have a V12 but ended up being produced with a turbocharged V6.

 

Very cool looking car, but I have to agree that the engine is a disappointment. It's pretty much the same engine being used in all of Ford's cars at this point - nothing exotic about it. For a car to be exotic, it needs a "prestige" engine or cutting-edge drivetrain. Either mate a twin-turbo V6 to some electric motors for a hybrid exotic, or do a forced-induction V8/V12.

 

 

I agree, at least make a echoboostV8 or even go ***** out and do a echoboostV10 and really compete in supercar territory. It's funny how they didn't put this engine tuned like this into the mustang..looks to me like they shot them selves in the foot in trying to keep there performance line balanced between Mustang and GT, why get a V8 mustang when the V6 echo boost can do more for less cost (minus the exhaust note).. Design is gorgeous but engine choice on the other hand, leave it to Ford to screw up an iconic legendary car.. Anyways just my 2cent rant

 

Glad to see the rant has already started...

Pretty amazing body work….. I like even more what it may do to the value of the last gen... hopefully drive it down. (possibly one of the BEST daily drivable exotics, not counting a 911 Turbo)

Just when you thought Ford couldn’t steal another Aston styling cue…. The front air dam is right out of the new Vanquish parts bin…

I lost my interest when reading the body work wasn’t configured for the last 2 cylinders to fit….

I am still hard over on 8 being the minimum cylinder count for an exotic.
(I'd still have my NSX if it had a V8) I have ownded a string of 6 cyl cars... and all very good cars.
Even Lotus finally yielded with the last gen Esprit. (not saying that was an epic success.... but good indicator of market demand)
Sure ... there are plenty of very high performance (super) cars with less than 8 cylinders.... and none of them sound right to me.

Exotic will no doubt be redefined in the years to come... but I am stuck wanting to hear a real engine note.... (not piped in sounds thru the stereo either!!!)

Maybe someday there will be a kit company selling a retrofit for a crate Chevy 427. ;-)