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Luxury automakers are finding it difficult to make the business case for building V8 engines.  Stricter fuel economy and emission standards, along with sales of V8 powered models dropping have them wondering if they should continue work on developing new variants. 
Take for example Jaguar Land Rover.  The current V8 in naturally-aspirated and Supercharged forms has been with us for 20 years.  While the company has been trying its best to keep the engine up to date, the thirsty nature and possibility of it not meeting future emission standards has the future of V8 up in the air. 
But Automobile reports that a deal is currently being worked out by JLR and BMW for the German automaker to supply V8 engines to the British.  The possible engine is a new 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that promises to be more powerful, fuel efficient, and lighter than the current V8s on offer from either automaker. 
Why is BMW making a possible deal with JLR?  Most likely it comes down making a stronger business case as to why they should go forward with developing a new V8 engine. 
Source: Automobile
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Luxury automakers are finding it difficult to make the business case for building V8 engines.  Stricter fuel economy and emission standards, along with sales of V8 powered models dropping have them wondering if they should continue work on developing new variants. 
Take for example Jaguar Land Rover.  The current V8 in naturally-aspirated and Supercharged forms has been with us for 20 years.  While the company has been trying its best to keep the engine up to date, the thirsty nature and possibility of it not meeting future emission standards has the future of V8 up in the air. 
But Automobile reports that a deal is currently being worked out by JLR and BMW for the German automaker to supply V8 engines to the British.  The possible engine is a new 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that promises to be more powerful, fuel efficient, and lighter than the current V8s on offer from either automaker. 
Why is BMW making a possible deal with JLR?  Most likely it comes down making a stronger business case as to why they should go forward with developing a new V8 engine. 
Source: Automobile

Nissan has been busy promoting the new Titan XD with the 5.0L Cummins Turbodiesel V8.  But we haven't heard a peep about what gas engines would be available until today. 
Nissan announced the Titan XD and the upcoming Titan trucks would come with a 5.6L Endurance V8 with 390 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque.  This will come paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.  Although this V8 shares a similar displacement to the current V8 engine found in the Titan, Nissan is quick to point out there are differences.  The new 5.6 V8 features direct-injection, four-valves per cylinder, variable valve event and lift technology, and a higher compression ratio (11.2:1 vs. 9.8:1). 
Nissan expects fuel economy, but they don't say by how much.  We hope its above the 12.1 MPG average we got when we drove a 2014 Titan for review. 
The engine will be assembled at Nissan's Decherd, Tennessee plant. 
The 5.6 Endurance V8 will be available starting in spring. 
Source: Nissan
Press Release is on Page 2
New Tennessee-sourced 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 Gasoline Engine to Power Nissan TITAN and TITAN XD
Advanced Endurance® V8 produces 390 horsepower, 401 lb-ft of torque; will be available in both TITAN and TITAN XD
Joins award-winning Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel to round out "every duty" TITAN XD engine lineup
V8 gasoline-powered TITAN XD Crew Cab goes on sale in early spring 2016, following this month's arrival of TITAN XD diesel models
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan announced today that a new 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 gasoline engine, assembled in Decherd, Tennessee, will be available in the all-new TITAN and TITAN XD full-size pickup trucks, completing the first phase of the "American TITAN" story.  The engine features four-valves per cylinder, Variable Valve Event & Lift and Direct Injection, and is rated at 390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm. 
The gasoline-powered engine joins the award-winning Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel in early spring 2016 to round out the engine offerings for the all-new Nissan XD full-size pickup, which stakes out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries.  The bold new design combines the capabilities of a heavy-duty hauler with the drivability and affordability of a light-duty pickup. 
"With this new engine, Nissan TITAN XD customers will have the opportunity to make the choice that is best for their towing and hauling needs – either the all-new Endurance V8 or the Cummins® diesel – two offerings that you won't find on any other truck on the market today," said Rich Miller, chief product specialist, TITAN, Nissan North America, Inc. "It's going to be a tough decision for TITAN XD customers between these two very durable, capable engines." 
While the new Endurance V8 shares its displacement with the previous-generation V8 installed in Titan, that is where the similarities end.  The new engine features 390 horsepower (up from 317) and 401 lb-ft of torque (up from 385), along with Nissan's advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake and exhaust sides to provide high performance and crisp response.  Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve, rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with a throttle valve, and valve timing and opening with non-variable camshafts. 
The new engine also features Direct Injection Gas (DIG™) technology, which provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance (versus a non-direct-injection system) by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and offering precise injection control.  An 11.2:1 compression ratio is provided by a new piston design, aiding overall engine efficiency and performance (previous Titan: 9.8:1) and a Multi Control Valve (MCV) assists in managing the engine's thermal efficiency better than a traditional thermostat. 
TITAN XD models equipped with the Endurance V8 engine will be outfitted with a new 7-speed automatic, which features Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching. 
More information on the Endurance V8 and 7-speed automatic will be available closer to its early spring 2016 on-sale date. 

Nissan has been busy promoting the new Titan XD with the 5.0L Cummins Turbodiesel V8.  But we haven't heard a peep about what gas engines would be available until today. 
Nissan announced the Titan XD and the upcoming Titan trucks would come with a 5.6L Endurance V8 with 390 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque.  This will come paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.  Although this V8 shares a similar displacement to the current V8 engine found in the Titan, Nissan is quick to point out there are differences.  The new 5.6 V8 features direct-injection, four-valves per cylinder, variable valve event and lift technology, and a higher compression ratio (11.2:1 vs. 9.8:1). 
Nissan expects fuel economy, but they don't say by how much.  We hope its above the 12.1 MPG average we got when we drove a 2014 Titan for review. 
The engine will be assembled at Nissan's Decherd, Tennessee plant. 
The 5.6 Endurance V8 will be available starting in spring. 
Source: Nissan
Press Release is on Page 2
New Tennessee-sourced 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 Gasoline Engine to Power Nissan TITAN and TITAN XD
Advanced Endurance® V8 produces 390 horsepower, 401 lb-ft of torque; will be available in both TITAN and TITAN XD
Joins award-winning Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel to round out "every duty" TITAN XD engine lineup
V8 gasoline-powered TITAN XD Crew Cab goes on sale in early spring 2016, following this month's arrival of TITAN XD diesel models
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan announced today that a new 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 gasoline engine, assembled in Decherd, Tennessee, will be available in the all-new TITAN and TITAN XD full-size pickup trucks, completing the first phase of the "American TITAN" story.  The engine features four-valves per cylinder, Variable Valve Event & Lift and Direct Injection, and is rated at 390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm. 
The gasoline-powered engine joins the award-winning Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel in early spring 2016 to round out the engine offerings for the all-new Nissan XD full-size pickup, which stakes out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries.  The bold new design combines the capabilities of a heavy-duty hauler with the drivability and affordability of a light-duty pickup. 
"With this new engine, Nissan TITAN XD customers will have the opportunity to make the choice that is best for their towing and hauling needs – either the all-new Endurance V8 or the Cummins® diesel – two offerings that you won't find on any other truck on the market today," said Rich Miller, chief product specialist, TITAN, Nissan North America, Inc. "It's going to be a tough decision for TITAN XD customers between these two very durable, capable engines." 
While the new Endurance V8 shares its displacement with the previous-generation V8 installed in Titan, that is where the similarities end.  The new engine features 390 horsepower (up from 317) and 401 lb-ft of torque (up from 385), along with Nissan's advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake and exhaust sides to provide high performance and crisp response.  Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve, rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with a throttle valve, and valve timing and opening with non-variable camshafts. 
The new engine also features Direct Injection Gas (DIG™) technology, which provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance (versus a non-direct-injection system) by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and offering precise injection control.  An 11.2:1 compression ratio is provided by a new piston design, aiding overall engine efficiency and performance (previous Titan: 9.8:1) and a Multi Control Valve (MCV) assists in managing the engine's thermal efficiency better than a traditional thermostat. 
TITAN XD models equipped with the Endurance V8 engine will be outfitted with a new 7-speed automatic, which features Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching. 
More information on the Endurance V8 and 7-speed automatic will be available closer to its early spring 2016 on-sale date. 
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Car and Driver is reporting that the next-generation Audi RS4 will retire the naturally-aspirated 4.2L V8 engine and use a turbocharged V6 engine.  This is due to the upcoming emission regulations coming soon to Europe which are very stringent.  Now the decision to go with a turbocharged V6 engine strikes us as odd since Audi currently has supercharged V6 that is being used in a number of their models.  However Car and Driver says Quattro GmbH, the folks behind RS, is looking towards turbo power for future models. 
Car and Driver also reports that a decision on whether or not the next-generation RS4 will come to the U.S. hasn't been made. 
Source: Car and Driver
William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears.  He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.com or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. 

Car and Driver is reporting that the next-generation Audi RS4 will retire the naturally-aspirated 4.2L V8 engine and use a turbocharged V6 engine.  This is due to the upcoming emission regulations coming soon to Europe which are very stringent.  Now the decision to go with a turbocharged V6 engine strikes us as odd since Audi currently has supercharged V6 that is being used in a number of their models.  However Car and Driver says Quattro GmbH, the folks behind RS, is looking towards turbo power for future models. 
Car and Driver also reports that a decision on whether or not the next-generation RS4 will come to the U.S. hasn't been made. 
Source: Car and Driver
William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears.  He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.com or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. 
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