• Three naturally-aspirated V8 engines remaining in SA.
• The below list consists of two SUVs and one sports car.
• All three cars are from Japanese descend.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
These days, you don't see as many vehicles that are powered by naturally-aspirated (N/A) engines anymore. Sure, you get turbo-less four-cylinder engines, but increase the number of cylinders and the engine has a forced-induction unit bolted on.
Six-, eight-, ten- and 12-cylinder engines are more than likely to be turbocharged, but there are still a few remaining 'dinosaurs' living among us. We scoured through the South African carpool and found three N/A V8 vehicles living among us.
And all three of them are from Japanese descend.
Lexus LC 500
The LC500 is one of the most beautiful coupés yet, and it is a stunner wherever it goes. Whether it's parked at your nearest shopping mall or patrolling one of the quaint towns in the Cape Winelands, this is one Lexus you will never miss.
Priced at R2 031 200, the 5.0-litre V8 engine produces 351kW and 540Nm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox. From a performance perspective, Lexus claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds and a 270km/h top speed.
Though it has seating for four people, the rears are more suited to small children and only for short distances. Even so, the coupé has eight airbags and rides on 21-inch wheels. In 2021, a convertible will join the one-model range.
2020 Lexus LC 500 Coupé (MotorPress)
Lexus LX 570
The Lexus LX range consists of two models, both powered by V8 engines. The 4.5-litre diesel engine is turbocharged, but the petrol unit not. The 5.7-litre engine produces 270kW and 530Nm, available at a respectable 3200rpm. The LX sends its power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Performance-wise you are looking at a sprint time of 7.7sec and a 210km/h top speed.
The LX 570 retails for R1 890 200, some R70 000 more than its diesel counterpart. The SUV also has two fuel tanks for a total capacity of 138L (93 + 45). Though it's unlikely that you'll manage the average claim of 14.5-litres/100km, you can squeeze about 950km out of both tanks if you do get it right.
2020 Lexus LX 570 (MotorPress)
Nissan Patrol
The Nissan Patrol is a direct rival to the LX 570, but at 298kW and 560Nm, it churns out slightly more power from its 5.6-litre V8 engine. It, too, is an all-wheel-drive machine and will top out at 210km/h. From a fuel perspective, the Patrol will drink a claimed 14.4-litres/100km and should realise a theoretical range of 970km on its 140L fuel tank (100 + 40).
The refreshed Patrol came to market in 2017 and is endowed with a capable off-road system and several technologies to make it relevant in a highly-competitive luxury SUV market.
Only one model make up the range and retails for R1 500 700.
2020 Nissan Patrol (MotorPress)