You might know that sedans are not as popular in the US as they used to be. However, they are still very much a favourite amongst new drivers and younger consumers. Companies like Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Toyota are all committed to building sedans for the global market.
Right now, SUVs and crossovers are all the rage, which puts the question into the mind of an automotive enthusiast. Are monstrous-sized engine sedans, including those with a factory stock V8 supercharge engine really necessary?
According to a recent study by Hot Cars, the French company called Antoinette was the first to build a V8 in 1904, and they used it to power a two-person aeroplane. Later on, in 1907, Glenn Hammond Curtiss used a V8 to power a motorcycle that then took the land speed record of 136 miles per hour.
Moreover, Cadillac was one of the first American automobile manufacturers to utilize a V8 in their luxury car called Type 51. Today popular variations of V8 engines have banks separating at 90 degrees.
In the light of this information, let’s take a closer look at the powerful V8 Supercharger Technology:
Types of SuperChargers
Superchargers are essentially air compressors that increase the density or pressure of air supplied to an internal combustion engine. They are not bulletproof cars, as some of you might think. The air compressor increases the intake of more oxygen to the engine, allowing it to burn more fuel and do more work, which evidently increases the power output to a tremendous level. When it comes to variations, there are basically two main types of superchargers, namely:
- Positive Displacement: this type of supercharger delivers nearly a fixed volume of air per revolution at all speeds.
- Dynamic Compressors: this type of supercharger relies on accelerating the air to high speed and then exchanging that velocity for pressure by diffusing or slowing it down.
Super Charging vs. Turbo Charging
Another important aspect of supercharger technology is to be able to differentiate between supercharger and turbocharger. Turbochargers were originally known as turbo-superchargers because all forced induction devices are classified as superchargers. However, today the term superchargers are typically applied to mechanically driven forced induction devices.
The key difference between the two is that the turbocharger is powered by a turbine driven by the engine’s exhaust while the superchargers are driven mechanically, often through a belt connected to the crankshaft.
In contrast, Twincharger refers to an engine that has both a supercharger and a turbocharger. Many people consider superchargers to be at a disadvantage because the engine must withstand the net power output as well as the power to drive the supercharger.
The First Supercharged Cars
In 1878, the engine supercharger was made by Dugald Cleck. Later on, Lee Chadwick of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, was built a supercharged race car in 1908 that reportedly reached a speed of 100 miles per hour or 160 kilometres per hour. Here are some of the first commercially available and sold cars that supported a supercharged engine:
- Alfa Romeo P2
- Bentley Four and a Half Liter
- Bugatti Type 35C
- Delage 2LCV
- Mercedes SSK (Super Sport Kurz)
Noticeable V8 Supercharged Cars
Living in 2021, you might be wondering about some of the best cars that support a V8 supercharged engine. Well, look no further as here is a lineup that is sure to pique your interest:
- 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – 5.2-litre, 760 horsepower, & 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds.
- 2021 Dodge Challenger – 6.2-liter HEMI®, 717 horsepower, & 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds.
- Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat – 6.2-litre, 707 horsepower, & 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds.
- Cadillac CTS-V – 6.2-litre, 640 horsepower, and 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds.
- Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – 6.2-litre, 650 horsepower, and 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.
- Jaguar F-Type SVR – 5.0-litre, 575 horsepower, and 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.
Most Powerful V8 Supercharged Car
As a car enthusiast, one probably wants to know the limits that our engineers have already breached. After all, the debate for the most horsepower, the fastest acceleration, and the highest top speed has always been a popular debacle amongst motorheads.
Even students who buy coursework can debate this topic for hours. Here is a quick rundown of some of the most powerful production V8s ever put in a car:
- Chevrolet Supercharged LT5 (760 horsepower)
- Ferrari F154CD 4.0-liter Twin Turbo (769 horsepower)
- Ford Predator 5.2-liter (760 horsepower)
- Hemi 6.2-liter Supercharged (840 horsepower)
- Koenigsegg Jesko 5.0-liter Twin Turbo (1,603 horsepower)
- McLaren 4.0-liter M840T Twin-Turbo (710 horsepower)
- Mercedes 4.0-liter M178 LS2 (730 horsepower)
- Mercedes 6.2-liter M156/159 V8 (622 horsepower)
Japanese Supercharged Cars
If you want to aspire towards quenching your thirst for the supercharger thrill, Japanese cars can be the answer. Pupils who opt for assignment writing services might already be considering buying a Japanese car in the future. Here are some Japanese muscle cars that might get your attention:
- 2018 Lexus LC 500, V8 is offering 471 horsepower with 5.0-litre, a true LS flagship sedan.
- 2018 Lexus RC F, V8 is offering 467 horsepower with 5.0-litre, impeccable build quality.
- Infiniti Q70, V8 is offering 420 horsepower with a weapons-grade 5.6-litre and looks that make it ready to pounce.
- Lexus IS-F, V8 is offering 416 horsepower with a 5-litre lump, a brawling bruiser in a schoolboy’s uniform.
European Supercharged Cars
European cars are often considered one of the most reliable on the planet. Hence they are quite far from those you would consider that will break down often. Therefore many car enthusiasts favour buying European cars.
Young learners who seek help from the best assignment writers know this for the fact that European cars come with incredible durability and build quality. Here are some of the best supercharged European cars that may be towards your liking:
- 2003 – 2006 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG is offering a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V8 that unleashes 469 horsepower.
- 2009 – 2016 Audi S4 is offering a supercharged 3.0-litre V8 option with tons of torque to entice you.
- BMW M3 (E46) offers a supercharged 4.0-litre V8 for the GTR version only dedicated to motorsports.
- Jaguar F-Type offers supercharged V8s that make 575 horsepower and are ballistic fast.
Participation in Racing Events
It is quite obvious that with so much power under the hood, these monstrous beauties were bound to hit the racing track sooner rather than later. The Supercars Championship is one such touring car racing event that is held in Australia and runs as an International Series under FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) regulations. All Supercars events take place throughout Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Australian Capital Territory formerly held the Canberra 400, which was a V8 Supercar event with a short life running from 2000 to 2002. A Melbourne 400 championship event is also held in support of the Australian Grand Prix.
The vehicles used in the series are loosely based on road-going cars; however, most of them are custom-made. However, all engines are electronically limited to 7,500 rpm with a compression ratio of 10:1 to keep things equal for all racers.
Future of Supercharged Cars
The electric counterparts in the market are making it difficult for the V8 sedans to survive the future change. Many industry specialists feel that this is probably the last decade for the V8 sedans.
Today’s V8 sedan support club is comparatively getting smaller with time as many manufacturers are heading towards a complete EV (electric vehicle) overhaul. So cherish your V8s while you can because probably by 2030, we all will be switching to an all-electric vehicle whether we like it or not.
Do We Need V8 Supercharge Technology?
As CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards tighten and people become more aware of global warming and climate change, V8 engines may soon become extinct. The V8s that power the majority of American muscle cars and European exotics are slowly losing their standing with both carmakers and motorists. In return, more fuel-efficient 4-6 cylinder engines are gradually overtaking the V8’s market share.
On the other hand, Turbochargers are also more favoured these days by Drag strip enthusiasts because Superchargers are less fuel-efficient. The only reason why Superchargers have stayed alive all this time is because of Muscle car lovers.
So to answer the question, do we need V8 Supercharge technology in sedans? Well, it all depends on where you are coming from, but from an environmentalist point of view, Tesla is a far better option.
Conclusion
The V8 has some of the most iconic cars to have touched a true motor-head. Who can forget the likes of Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage, the Audi R8, BMW M5, and Cadillac CTS-V, to name a few. Not to mention the Dodge Challenger, McLaren P1, Mercedes-AMG C63, Range Rover, and the Toyota Land Cruisers.
However, it does seem quite evident that if you want a daily driver, then a V8 engine that too Supercharged is quite a bit too much for a sedan, don’t you think? That’s it for now. Cheers, and all the best for your future endeavours!
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