Infiniti preparing to phase out V8 engines?

2011 Infiniti M56 luxury performance sedan

Will use four- and six-cylinder engines instead

According to a recent report, Infiniti is preparing to phase out their V8 engines.

Speaking with Motoring.com.au, Infiniti president Johan de Nysschen said "I don't think any car that is on Infiniti drawing boards from here onwards we should expect a V8 to be included in that plan."

Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer went on to explain "I am afraid [U.S.] CAFÉ regulations and emission regulations around the world make the development of V8s, as part of a new family of engines, almost impossible." However, he went on to say "[A] V8 does not determine performance, F1 has gone V6 for example. You can get the performance out of a V6 or an I4 and you can get the fuel consumption out of it."

Despite promises of high-performance engines, Nysschen predicted the horsepower wars will be coming to an end as he said "The 600 horsepower engines that you see today, that are regrettably rare, - those are the real top performance cars right now - will become extinct."

To ensure customers have happy once the V8 engines are gone, Infiniti will turn to forced induction and hybrid technology. We can also expect the company will focus on reducing weight and improving aerodynamics.