√Ford to send-off the V8 with epic ‘Megazilla’ engine

As the V8 enters its final act, Ford is reportedly planning an engine with huge performance – but it won’t be available in showrooms.

The 2023 Ford Mustang – revealed earlier this month – will be one of the last passenger-cars of its generation with a petrol V8, now the Blue Oval brand is reportedly planning on going out with a bang.

Reports out of Detroit claim Ford has something even bigger planned before the iconic V8 disappears completely.

A trademark application – first reported by CarBuzz – shows Ford in the US has applied to use the name ‘Megazilla’ on an upcoming engine.

While this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of the Megazilla project, the trademark was submitted as a Class 12 filing, which is reserved for “crate motors, namely, electric motors and internal combustion engines for automobiles; and powertrains for automobiles”.

Ford first hinted at the Megazilla engine in December 2020, though Ford Performance Product Manager Mike Goodwin didn’t offer any details, simply referring to it as a “super-secret project” during a video about the 7.3-litre ‘Godzilla’ V8 crate motor.

Popular in the US with enthusiast DIY car-builders and drag-racers, crate motors are typically sold off the shelf by vehicle manufacturers as a high-performance turn-key option.

In March 2022, a Mustang Shelby GT350 with a large bonnet bulge was spotted driving in Michigan, with Ford using the vehicle to test a manual transmission control package for the 7.3-litre V8 (top).

The non-turbocharged and non-supercharged (also known as ‘naturally-aspirated’, as it has no forced air induction) Godzilla V8 has a claimed output of 321kW.

However, a rumour from website Ford Authority in May 2021 suggested the car giant was considering adding twin turbochargers to the Godzilla – and all signs point to it adopting the ‘Megazilla’ name.

Horsepower figures weren’t discussed in the report, but aftermarket tuners have extracted in excess of 800kW by fitting turbos to the 7.3-litre V8.

As with the Godzilla on which it’s likely based, the Megazilla V8 is also expected to be offered as a high-output crate motor from Ford Performance, allowing the company to circumvent strict emissions laws required for production cars.

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