FCA Vows to Keep V-8 Engines

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has no intention of discontinuing its V-8 engine lineup, CEO Sergio Marchionne tells Automotive News. This counters a recent report by Allpar.com, which suggested FCA would be forced by stringent U.S. fuel economy and emission regulations to abandon its powerful Hemi and Hellcat offerings in favor of smaller, more efficient engines.

For the near term, Marchionne says, FCA will continue to buy credits from other carmakers to meet greenhouse gas standards. AN notes that FCA purchased more emissions credits than any other carmaker during the 2013 model year, the most recent year information was available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Favoring large displacement over downsized turbocharged and direct-injection engines, FCA trails its mass-market competitors in terms of fuel efficiency and emissions.

Marchionne acknowledges it's becoming more difficult to meet U.S. regulations. He says FCA is working on ways to improve the efficiency of its next-generation compact and midsize cars.