The 8th character of a VIN encodes the engine or powertrain code (last VDS character). It falls in the VDS (4–8) block of the 17-character VIN. Below is exactly what it means, with a real sample VIN highlighting the 8th position.
Here it is 4, part of the descriptor block J3CA4 for this Hyundai Tucson.
The 8th character is the final character of the VDS, immediately before the check digit. It very often encodes the engine or powertrain — displacement, fuel type, or motor family.
Because it closes the descriptor block, character 8 combined with positions 4–7 fully describes the vehicle's configuration for that make and model.
Decode a full VIN → · See all 17 positions →
← 7th character · 9th character →
It encodes the engine or powertrain code (last VDS character). In the sample KM8J3CA49LU240087 the 8th character is 4.
It is the last VDS character and typically encodes the engine or powertrain (displacement, fuel type, motor family).
Most often in position 8 (and sometimes 6-7), within the manufacturer-defined VDS block.