One of the reasons that led to the use of the 300cu.in. straight-6 in the Brazilian F-1000 (a short-bed F-250) instead of the 302cu.in. Windsor V8 was due to the fuel consumption. Not a notably greater advantage, but the 300 was regarded as a better choice.
Anyway, I might confess I'd rather get a Chevrolet LS-series instead of any European or Japanese opponent if I were on the market for a V8
