V8s on the wane according to Edmunds.com study

To a degree you're correct about the trucks. However, the reason V6s aren't offered on most trucks these days is simply because the truckmakers know from past experience that V6 engines weren't selling. Therefore, why offer them, as all it does is complicate manufacturing to satisfy a very small audience?

Like a lot of studies, this one sounds like they started with a conclusion then went looking for facts to support it.
 
There aren't enough V8 cars available to give meaningful data these days.
 
Truck based SUV's are less popular then car based ones now but the V6's used are more powerful then the V8's of just a few years ago.
 
Regardless of the number of cylinders, every new car model that comes out has more HP then the one before.
 
The HP race is alive and well.

How many vehicles with V8 engines offer significantly improved fuel economy with a lesser V6? What are the price, power, and feature differences between V6 and V8 versions?

There's no replacement for displacement!!! :o)
 
Unless you have a turbocharged boxer engine!

Well said Orangutan.

V6s have gotten good enough to replace the V8 for all but truck-hauling duties.
 
GM's 3.6l engine is nice, and they haven't even added DI yet. When they do, it'll be close to 300hp. That's enough to fight the HP race even without a V8.
 
Ford, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Nissan...all have V6s approaching and in some cases exceeding 300hp.
 
That's plenty for a passenger car.

The 3.6 in the Caddy CTS has DI I believe.

A bit off topic.
 
Personally think DI is overated on some of these V6 engines as they really dont make anymore power than other V6's WITHOUT DI. Unless youre going for maximum output I would leave DI out. Sure it has its advatages but I dont see it as a necessity on most engines in this power range. The same could be said for the DOHC vs SOHC engines also.
 
GM's 3.6 DOHC seems to be a very nice piece but its too bad they havent put it in anything of lighter weight. In my eyes the Lexus 3.5 DOHC DI is the best V6 in its respective class while the BMW I6TT would probably be the best overall 6 cylinder.
 
I recently viewed a 330hp VQ37 (2008 G37 coupe 6mt) vs a 286hp J35 (2008 Acura TL-S 6mt) dyno graph and although the G37 had about 25-30 extra wheel hp over this particular J35 the torque difference was only 2-3 lbft accross the board. Keep in mind the G37 has more displacement, DOHCs, and the high tech VVEL system on both INTAKE and EXHAUST valves. The Acura J35 is SOHC, of smaller displacement, and uses one of the simplest forms of VTEC only on the intake valves. So is all that extra technology really needed for that specific application? For the minor performance gains....no!
 
So this makes me wonder. What could Honda (or any manufacturer) do with a 3.5L DOHC i-VTEC or upcoming a-VTEC (or similar valve timing system) with direct injection while using all of these technologies fully?
 
Ill use the Porsche 3.6 flat 6 out of the GT3 for example since it has similar displacement as the engines I mentioned above. It has Variocam on both intake cams and valvetiming on intake and exhasut cams. It DOES NOT have direct injection yet it has 415hp and 300lbft of torque. Considering its extreme high output and short gearing gets respectable 25mpg on the highway. Impressive!
 
In the end you can get competitive power numbers and economy out of a less complex, lighter, compact, cheaper package. Example Honda J series V6 and GM LS V8 series.

I forgot to ask, doesnt GM have a 3.6 DI turbocharged V6 somewhere? I could have sworn Ive read about it or something? Could be a more efficient/powerful Northstar V8 replacement!

I've been disappointed by the VQ engine. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastically smooth engine, but the power:displacement ratio is subpar for a performance engine (88hp/L). I hear the ECU is the bottleneck.