I'm guessing it'll be an option & we'll see $8x,***+ sticker prices. Why would they cut the EB out entirely when they sell just fine? Not everyone will want/need a damn 700HP offroad truck. Personally.....and hope the Ford fanboys don't get butthurt on this.....very few Ford V8's interest me....the flat pane voodoo, the old forged/blown termi motor, SC'd Lightning.....that's about it. Much prefer GM smallblock or a hemi SOHC, for the sound, simplicity, tunability, proven reliability (particularly for LS/LTx) etc.
There's no way they're going to make a blown 700hp V8 the only engine option it'd cut out too many potential buyers not just b/c of price, but b/c its just so extreme & get terrible MPGs etc. You would think the drive shaft/axles/diffs would all have to be strengthened as well (even if the current gear could potentially handle it - they're still going to have to warranty it.
Did Jeep GC SRT8 sales plummet b/c Dodge dropped the Trackhawk? I think not.
Since that is an actual vehicle that exists right now....really think hard about the reality of driving around a 475 hp N/A SRT Jeep GC vs. a 707 HP SC'd 7mpg Jeep that would in the very least require a whole separate set of wheels/snows to get through winter, if you were even going to drive it in the winter, be worried about getting it scratched up, costs $20-25k more minimum than a "regular" SRT etc.
Now the Challenger? Different question - that's a weekend/hobby/toy car not a family hauling, trailer pulling, DD candidate like a Raptor Truck.
Wow I think I just convinced myself in this post - yeah, def will bring the boosted V8 option, def still produce the EB, the V8 will be ridiculous & sold in small batches.
Big BlueAdministrator