Automotive Engineering - June 2023 - 34

READER
FEEDBACK
The Sustainable Future
Congratulations to the SAE Automotive Engineering writers
for your comprehensive report on sustainability in the May
online issue. Your articles detail many aspects of the " sustainable "
future that corporate leaders, government and regulators
are reluctant to talk about, such as hydrogen, alternative
fuels and supply-chain responsibility. Well done!
Susan Schifter
Sunnyvale, Calif.
I found the May issue on the SAE website
after a colleague pointed me to it. I was
expecting to receive the printed magazine
which I like for its easy reference. The
McKinsey information is very insightful as
always. In the future are you planning to
publish only the digital edition?
Karl Lemkle
The May all-digital issue was a one-off for
2023. Glad you now know how to access
it! SAE plans to continue the printed editions
of Automotive Engineering, Truck &
Off-Highway Engineering, and ADAS &
Autonomous Vehicle Engineering, which
remain popular with readers. Check online
for the digital editions of each printed issue,
along with our articles posting daily
on SAE.org. - Lindsay Brooke
Sunset for the American V8
The death of the V8 engine has been predicted for many
years, with your April editorial being the latest example. But
without the GM small block and Stellantis/Chrysler Hemi family,
those companies would probably be out of business for
lack of profit. My company is a supplier to GM's all-new V8
that's coming soon and will be more efficient than today's
V8s. If, as you have written, the ICE will remain vital and in
global use for decades to come, then we can expect more
efficient and cleaner V8s to be in the mix.
G.K.
New York
RE: Sunset for the V8 - Isn't it interesting that GM has a new
V8 engine in development after the company pledged to go
" all-electric " in the next decade?
Al Hassan
GM is playing it smart, Al. They also have one of the industry's
most extensive hydrogen fuel-cell development programs
that includes power units for many types and sizes of vehicles.
Meanwhile, V8 trucks will be GM's cash cow for quite a
while, according to industry analysts. Some believe GM could
bring its fuel-cell electric powertrains into its heavy-duty
pickups, too. - Lindsay Brooke
34 June 2023
Mr. Theodore's 40-plus years as an automotive engineering
executive include leadership roles at Ford, where he led 2005
Ford GT development; Chrysler Corp., ASC, Saleen and
American Motors.
READERS: Let us know what you think about Automotive
Engineering magazine. Email the Editor at Lindsay.Brooke@
sae.org. We appreciate your comments and reserve the
right to edit for brevity and clarity.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
Good write-up on what may be the final development era of
the great American V8! What strikes me is the recent success
in crossing the 1,000-hp threshold in fully certified, streetlegal
vehicles with very different technologies - the Dodge
Demon SRT 170, based on the Hemi V8 ICE, and both the
Hummer EV and the Lucid Air electrics. I look forward to each
issue of Automotive Engineering.
Peter Mollineaux
Cleveland, Ohio
The V8 was made obsolete by turbocharged
V6 engines, as Ford proved with
the 2.7L twin-turbo V6 that was widely
accepted by F-Series truck buyers from
day one of the current generation.
Anything a V8 can do, a turbo V6 or
straight six, or even some turbo fourcylinders,
can do as well or better.
Except sound like only a V8 can! I think
V8s will remain viable longer than the
experts predict.
Ray Sweeney
Elkhart, Indiana
Your V8 Sunset editorial made some
good points about the 'modern' Hemi. I
was a release engineer at a supplier during
the program's early years. The thenChrysler
guys were aware that their design was more complex
and its BoM uncompetitive with the GM small block. But
subsequently, the GM engine got more complex in order to
keep up with emissions and fuel-economy targets. I think
the GM will be the " last V8 standing " in this long and competitive
battle.
K Sorensen
The Ford we didn't know
Your March 2023 editorial struck a chord. I've been hearing
and seeing the same mistakes being made over and over
again - and not just at Ford. Remote work didn't help; there
is no longer any mentoring.
Chris Theodore
Chris P. Theodore Associates
https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/sae/23AE05/index.php http://www.SAE.org http://http://
Automotive Engineering - June 2023

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