Americans are asking for bigger engines. Automakers are deliveringJust a few years ago, the auto industry was largely shunning big engines in favor of more fuel efficient powertrains. Eight cylinders were out and small, turbocharged six and four cylinders were in. Some consumers didn't seem to notice, or care. But others certainly did.Tim Kuniskis, head of Stellantis' American brands and Ram CEO, said the automaker made a mistake to drop the popular Hemi V8 engine in 2023 and replace it with a turbocharged straight six in its trucks. The consumer response was significant enough to make Stellantis rethink its strategy."It wasn't so much that people didn't like the T6 [engine], they hated the fact that we didn't give them a choice," Kuniskis told ABC News. "That's what we learned the hard way ... and that was the impetus to bring back the Hemi."AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Ram team has delivered on its promise: the marque recently unveiled its 2027 1500 Rumble Bee pickup, which will be available as a 5.7L Hemi V8, a "392" 6.4L Hemi V8 and a 6.2L supercharged ''Hellcat" Hemi V8. Then there is the Ram 1500 TRX SRT, which is making its return with the 6.2L Hemi V8.Stellantis - PHOTO: The Ram Rumble Bee SRT features the most powerful V8 engine ever offered in a production pickup truck.The Hurricane inline six-cylinder engine, however, will still be available in the Ram 1500 RHO. Adding a V6 to the Rumble Bee lineup wasn't even considered, Kuniskis said."I love performance, I love V8s, I love supercharged V8s," Kuniskis said. "The T6 is a fantastic engine -- it actually performs better, it's lighter, it's got better fuel economy than a regular standard 5.7L Hemi ... but power and capability will always outweigh fuel economy."Ram is not the only automaker investing in internal combustion engine technology. The updated S-Class sedan from Mercedes-Benz features a new V8 engine that produces 530 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. of torque. The German company said it heavily engineered this engine to meet the "latest emissions standards" and "support seamless power delivery," making the ride experience more responsive and smooth.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe newly developed V8 also makes its debut on the 2026 Mercedes-Maybach S 580 (U.S. Maybach consumers can also choose a V12 in the S 560 sedan). Mercedes calls the "celebrated" V12 engine "the embodiment of power and refinement."Mercedes-Benz - PHOTO: A new electrified eight‑cylinder engine powers the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. A V12 engine is also available for U.S. customers.Of course, larger engines require more fuel, which has touched new highs in the U.S. The extra cost for gasoline hasn't convinced many big-engine fans to seek out vehicles that get better MPG -- yet."Consumers are still willing to go this route of eight cylinders, even if [prices] are killing you at the pump," Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, told ABC News. "Fuel economy was never the No. 1 consideration. Larger engines still matter, especially for large truck buyers."Kuniskis said he expects gas prices to drop by November, when the Rumble Bee will be available at Ram dealers. A midsize Stellantis truck called the Dakota and a compact truck, the Rampage, are also coming to the U.S. before 2030, allowing the company to expand its truck customer base.AdvertisementAdvertisement"Both trucks have been in the works for a while," Kuniskis noted.These additions, plus the Ram 1500 Rev, a range-extended full-size truck that gets 690 miles of range, will satisfy some consumers. Truck traditionalists, however, will not settle for less than eight cylinders under the hood, Kuniskis said, and customers often tell him that a compact truck can't get them to their work site or reliably tow their boats or trailers."The V8 is looking a lot better today than two, three years ago," Drury said. "It will soldier on longer than expected and these new V8s are vastly superior" especially on fuel economy, he pointed out.Less than 1 in 10 U.S. vehicles (9.3%) sold this year have been V8s, compared to 20.4% for six cylinders and 64.7% for four cylinders, according to Edmunds. General Motors still offers a V8 on its Silverado and Sierra trucks and nearly every Ford F-150 truck can be built with a V8.Ford - PHOTO: A V8 engine is available in several Ford F-150 trims, including the XLT and Raptor R.Sports cars like the Mustang, Corvette and exotics (Lamborghini Temerario, McLaren 750S, Aston Martin Vantage and Ferrari Amalfi, for example) will continue to break speed records with their supercharged and turbocharged V8s.Chevrolet - PHOTO: The 2025 Corvette Grand Sport's next-generation V8 engine produces more torque than any other naturally aspirated V8 before it, according to Chevy.General Motors, like Mercedes, had been pouring resources into improving its famed V8, which will power the latest Corvettes being built in Kentucky.AdvertisementAdvertisement"We hear from our customers that V8s deliver three things that remain deeply valuable: capability, character and confidence," Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet, told ABC News. "These engines are tied to our heritage. The feel, sound and performance V8s provide are authentic to the experience many customers want when hooking a trailer up to their Silverado or dropping the top on a Corvette, which is why we remained committed to offering V8."Aston Martin - PHOTO: The turbo technology in the DBX S V8 powertrain was transferred directly from the upcoming Valhalla supercar, according to Aston Martin.Bigger displacement engines are also found on luxury sport utility vehicles like the Range Rover, Land Rover Defender, Porsche Cayenne, Aston Martin DBX S, BMW X7 M60i, Bentley Bentayga, Cadillac Escalade and Lamborghini Urus. V8s are also sold in the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and Dodge Durango.Other brands like Toyota, Kia and Hyundai have been moving toward V6s and turbo four cylinders to meet emissions standards.Alisa Priddle, a senior editor at MotorTrend, said the V8 is part of car culture in the U.S.AdvertisementAdvertisement"People are addicted to the sound of a V8," she told ABC News. "Right now 40% of everyone buying a Ram is opting for a Hemi. People still want V8s."And the V8s of today are drastically different than previous generations, she added."They drive more similarly to the new six cylinder engines, there's less lag and they meet modern emissions [standards]," she said. "V8s are in play a lot longer than we thought."