How many litres is a V8?

A V8 isn’t a fixed size: it simply means an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” layout. V8s have ranged from roughly 2.0 litres to about 8.2 litres historically; most modern passenger-car V8s sit between about 4.0 and 6.2 litres, with performance specials around 5.0–5.5 litres and heavy-duty truck petrol V8s up to about 7.3 litres. This article explains what “V8” means, typical sizes across categories, notable examples, and why capacities vary so widely.

Contents

What “V8” actually means
Typical sizes by category
Why sizes vary
Quick reference: typical V8 litre ranges
Summary

What “V8” actually means

“V8” describes the cylinder configuration—two banks of four cylinders forming a V—rather than the engine’s size. Displacement (often quoted in litres) is the total volume swept by all pistons. It’s determined by bore, stroke, and cylinder count, so two V8s can be the same layout yet very different sizes. Automakers choose displacement to balance power, torque, efficiency, emissions, packaging, and cost.

Typical sizes by category

Modern passenger cars

Contemporary road-going V8s cluster in the 4.0–6.2-litre band, with downsized turbocharged units and naturally aspirated or larger-capacity engines coexisting depending on brand and mission. Here are representative examples you’ll find on sale or in very recent production.

3.9–4.0 litres: Turbo V8s such as Ferrari’s 3.9L (Roma/Portofino) and McLaren’s 4.0L; AMG’s 4.0L twin-turbo appears widely (C/E/GT models).

4.4 litres: BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4L (S68) powers M and M Performance models and some high-end SUVs.

5.0 litres: Ford’s naturally aspirated Coyote V8 in the Mustang; Lexus’s 5.0L (LC 500, IS 500 in recent model years).

5.5 litres: Chevrolet’s flat‑plane LT6 in the Corvette Z06 is a 5.5L high‑revving V8.

6.2 litres: GM’s small‑block (LT1/LT2/LT4/LT5 family) in the Corvette, Camaro, and full-size SUVs/pickups.

These engines illustrate how today’s V8s span from compact, high-output turbo setups to large-displacement, naturally aspirated designs, matching different performance and character goals.

Pickup trucks and SUVs

Utility-focused V8s prioritise torque, durability, and towing. Capacities are typically larger, though some brands are transitioning to smaller turbocharged or hybrid alternatives.

5.0 litres: Ford’s Coyote V8 remains available in certain F‑150 trims.

5.3–6.2 litres: GM small‑block V8s in Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra and related SUVs.

5.7–6.4 litres: Stellantis HEMI V8s in Ram and Jeep models (availability varying as the Hurricane inline‑six rolls out).

6.8–7.3 litres: Ford’s “Godzilla” petrol V8s for Super Duty trucks, emphasising low‑end torque and longevity.

4.4–6.7 litres (diesel): V8 diesels in heavy SUVs and pickups (e.g., 4.4L Land Rover units in past models; 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel in Ford Super Duty).

Truck and SUV V8s demonstrate the upper end of modern displacement, where working loads and long service lives drive larger capacities.

Motorsport and historical extremes

Racing rules and past eras have produced both unusually small and remarkably large V8s, underscoring that cylinder count and capacity are independent decisions.

2.0 litres: Road‑car outliers like the Ferrari 208 GTB used a 2.0L V8 to meet tax rules.

2.4–3.5 litres: Formula One V8 eras included 3.0L and later 2.4L naturally aspirated engines by regulation.

7.0–8.2 litres: American “big‑block” V8s such as GM’s 7.0L (427), Mopar’s 7.0L Hemi (426 ci), Ford’s 7.5L (460), GM’s 8.1L (Vortec 8100), and Cadillac’s 8.2L (500 ci).

These examples bookend the V8 spectrum—from tiny, regulation-driven or tax-driven engines to massive torque monsters built for effortless power.

Why sizes vary

Displacement is a tool, not a target. Larger V8s usually deliver more low‑rpm torque and simplicity, beneficial for towing and durability. Smaller or mid‑size V8s often rely on turbocharging, variable valve timing, and advanced combustion to produce high power with lower emissions and better economy. Packaging constraints, brand character, regional taxes (often displacement‑based), and regulations all shape the final litre figure.

Quick reference: typical V8 litre ranges

The following summary ranges can help place most V8s you’ll encounter today or in common discussion.

Compact/high‑output turbo V8s: ~3.9–4.4 L

Mainstream performance (NA or turbo): ~4.6–5.5 L

American muscle/sports: 5.0–6.4 L

Pickups/HD petrol: 5.0–7.3 L

Diesel V8s: ~4.4–6.7 L

Historic big‑blocks: 7.0–8.2 L

Motorsport rulesets: ~2.4–3.5 L

While outliers exist, these bands capture the vast majority of V8s and reflect how purpose dictates displacement.

Summary

There isn’t a single litre figure for a V8. The term identifies an eight‑cylinder V‑configuration, not engine size. In practice, modern road cars typically use V8s between about 4.0 and 6.2 litres, trucks stretch to roughly 7.3 litres, and history spans from about 2.0 litres up to around 8.2 litres. Capacity reflects intended use, regulations, and brand philosophy more than the number of cylinders alone.

Is a 4 liter a V8?

Yes, a “4.0” can be a V8 engine, as the number “4.0” refers to the engine’s displacement (4.0 liters), while “V8” describes its cylinder configuration. A 4.0L engine can also be other configurations like a V6 or straight-6, so the “4.0” designation alone does not specify the engine type.

What “4.0” and “V8” mean:

4.0: This is the engine’s displacement, indicating it’s 4.0 liters in size. It’s a measure of how much volume the cylinders can hold.
V8: This describes the engine’s configuration. The “V” means the cylinders are arranged in two banks, forming a “V” shape, and “8” indicates there are eight cylinders.

Why “4.0” doesn’t automatically mean “V8”:

Engineers design engines in various cylinder counts and arrangements.
A 4.0-liter engine could be designed as an inline-6, a straight-6, or a V6, in addition to being a V8.
Therefore, to know if a 4.0L engine is a V8, you need to check the specific engine’s specifications.

Examples:

Many high-performance cars, like those from Mercedes-AMG, use 4.0L V8 engines.
Conversely, some inline-6 engines also have a 4.0-liter displacement.

Is a 5 liter engine a V8?

The 5.0L PFDI V8 engine is a robust blend of power, efficiency, and advanced technology. This powerhouse engine is featured in the 2024 Ford F-150, offering impressive performance for both work and play.

Is a 3.6 liter engine a V8?

No, a “3.6” typically refers to a 3.6-liter displacement, and in most modern vehicles, a 3.6L engine is a V6 engine, not a V8, although some older or specific performance vehicles, like an Audi V8, did use a 3.6L V8 engine. The number of cylinders (V6 or V8) and the displacement (3.6L or 5.7L) are separate characteristics of an engine, with the “L” standing for liters of displacement and the “V” indicating the cylinder configuration.

This video explains the difference between a 3.6L V6 engine and a 5.7L V8 engine: 53s4-LOWYouTube · Jun 4, 2025
Key terms:

Displacement: The 3.6L indicates the engine’s total volume in liters, measured by the combined volume of its cylinders.
V6: A V6 engine has its six cylinders arranged in a “V” shape.
V8: A V8 engine has eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape.

Examples:

A 3.6L V6 is common in vehicles like Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler models.
An Audi V8 model from the late 1980s and early 1990s used a 3.6-liter V8 engine as its flagship.