Which car was the first production automobile to use a V8 engine, introduced by Cadillac in 1914?

The Cadillac Model 51 was the first production automobile to use a V8 engine, introduced by Cadillac in 1914.

Cadillac’s V8 placed two banks of four cylinders at an angle around a shared crankshaft. Compared with a straight-eight, the arrangement could provide substantial power in a shorter engine package, helping Cadillac offer strong performance without an excessively long engine bay.

The Model 51’s engine was a 314-cubic-inch side-valve design. Cadillac marketed the car as a major technical advance, and its V8 helped establish the configuration in American luxury cars.

The question is distinct from later Cadillac milestones: the Type 53 introduced a modern control layout, while the V-16 arrived in 1930. The Model 51’s significance is specifically its production V8.