V8’s days are also over.
Jeep, part of Stellantis is among the brands that will adopt electrification at an even faster pace. This is good news in many ways. The off-road specialist brand will use new technologies that are likely to improve the capabilities and performance of its products. This could also mean that Jeep’s combustion engine is coming to an end.
Christian Meunier, the CEO of American brand Jeep, recently stated that Jeep is keen to accelerate electrification. Meunier, however, suggested to Australian media that the diesel engine might be retired by the manufacturer before the end of the decade. This is not just for North America, but also for all global markets.
In a recent interview, he stated that he believes diesel in Europe will disappear. Europe was the origin of diesel engines. This is why it’s clear that diesel [sales] volumes will decrease significantly. Does that mean that we will cease offering diesel at all? “No, I believe there will be a transition from now to 2030. It will vary according to market.
Although this is not surprising, customers will be disappointed to learn that the V8 is headed for a similar fate. The emissions standards on both sides of the Big Pond are becoming more strict, and the eight-cylinder engine will soon be replaced by electrified four or six-cylinder powertrains.
“Some markets will keep V8 engines. [Some] will continue having six-cylinder engines [and] some will have diesel. It’s obvious that we will want to preserve the V8… [and] high-performance V8 for as long as possible in the medium term.