The new regulations will save owners about $1.7 trillion at the pump, but the standard will cost gear heads much more in the long run - V8 powered cars like the Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. According to Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, vehicles with eight-cylinders under the hood will soon become "rare as white flies."
The most fuel-efficient V8-powered passenger cars currently average about 20mpg, which is well below the 54.5mpg standard's real-world 40mpg average. The addition of eight- and nine-speed gearboxes should ensure V8 stick around for the short term, but you better get your fix while you still can.
