V8 Engine Convertible Cars:

The V8 engine produces a distinctive sound and impressive power from a reasonably compact size. If well balanced they can be smoother running than a 6 cylinder and are cheaper to produce than a V12. Two banks of four cylinders commonly at 90 degrees to each other turn a single crankshaft. Eight cylinder engines generally only feature in more powerful cars where the extra displacement is required. While most road cars feature smooth running counterbalanced cross-plane designs high performance and racing engines often feature a flat plane design to keep it free revving.

The V8 is rarely as fuel efficient as engines with lower numbers of cylinders and as a result are in decline in mass manufactured cars with builders opting for smaller turbocharged engines to provide better economy.