What does V8 mean?

[Verona]

The V8 engine is one of the cylinder arrangement types of internal combustion engines, typically used in mid-to-high-end vehicles. The number "8" represents the quantity of cylinders. More cylinders mean a greater potential for converting gasoline into power—simply put, more power, but with increased fuel consumption. The "V" denotes the shape in which the cylinders are arranged. Common arrangements include inline, V-type, and W-type, which vividly illustrate the concept. In a V-type engine, the cylinders are arranged in a V shape. This configuration divides all cylinders into two groups, with adjacent cylinders set at a certain angle to each other, forming two angled planes. Viewed from the side, the cylinders resemble the letter "V." V-type engines are compact in height and length, making them easier to install in vehicles. They allow for increased displacement and power by enlarging cylinder diameters and are well-suited for higher cylinder counts. The V8 engine arranges eight cylinders in two groups of four, forming a V shape. It is the most common engine structure in high-level motorsports, particularly in the United States, where series like IRL, ChampCar, and NASCAR mandate the use of V8 engines. The principle of a V8 engine is the same as that of other engines, with "V8" indicating the cylinder arrangement and count. Common cylinder counts in automotive engines include 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Engines with displacements below 1 liter often use three cylinders, 1-2.5 liters typically employ four cylinders, around 3 liters use six cylinders, approximately 4 liters use eight cylinders, and 5.5 liters or more use twelve cylinders. Generally, with the same cylinder diameter, more cylinders mean greater displacement and higher power. With the same displacement, more cylinders allow for smaller diameters, enabling higher RPMs and thus greater power output. The most common angle in V8 engines is 90°, which provides optimal ignition and vibration characteristics. Some V8 engines use different angles—a notable example is the Ford/Yamaha V8 engine used in the Ford Taurus SHO, which is based on Ford's Duratec V6 and features a 60° angle.