Is the V8 a dying breed? Auto engineers expect more turbos, smaller engines

The V8 engine, a symbol of power and prestige for more than a century, is looking more and more like an endangered species. A panel of powertrain experts speaking on Tuesday at the 2009 SAE World Congress painted a bleak picture for big engines in this era of tightening emission standards and volatile fuel prices. But smaller engines will not mean drivers have to give up performance.

Audi A1 quattro prototype

The Audi A1 quattro snow testing in Canada It did seem a strange omission by Audi not to have a quattro drivetrain for the ‘Only Premium Brand in its Sector’ Audi A1. And it was that lack of a quattro system for the A1 which apparently stopped the car that ended up being the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI from being launched as the Audi S1 at Paris last year. All of which has no doubt spurred Audi on to see development of a quattro platform for the A1.

Moss's mangled Mille Miglia Maserati to move Monaco money

Stirling Moss drove the 1956 Mille Miglia in a heavy rain that came down in sheets; no visibility, no brakes. Spectators lined the streets regardless. Piero Taruffi took the lead in a Maserati 300S, but he had to stop at Savignano when his brakes gave out.