A New Era for V8: GM Expands Engine Production in Canada
Just a few years ago, it seemed the days of V8 engines were numbered. Due to tightening environmental regulations and the global shift towards smaller turbocharged engines, the classic eight-cylinder powerplant was gradually fading away. However, General Motors is going against the downsizing trend that has dominated the automotive industry for the past decade by developing an entirely new generation of V8 engines for the Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac brands.
Production Geography: USA and Canada
The Detroit giant has already confirmed that its new small-block V8 will be manufactured at plants in Flint, Michigan, and Buffalo, New York. However, as it turns out, production will not be limited to the United States. GM announced that its plant in Oshawa, Ontario, has returned to two shifts and will also manufacture the sixth-generation V8 engine family.
The company states that it has invested over 2.6 billion Canadian dollars in its Canadian operations over the past five years. This amount includes 280 million dollars allocated to support the production of the next generation of full-size pickups, which will also benefit from the new V8 engine lineup.
Technical Features and Configurations
The company’s new engine, potentially named LS6, may be offered in 5.5-liter and 6.7-liter displacement configurations. The flagship 6.7-liter version, and possibly the 5.5-liter as well, will feature an aluminum block with both direct and port fuel injection.
Corvette to Receive New Engine
These V8 engines will not be limited to just pickups and SUVs. GM plans to add them to the Corvette lineup, including the long-awaited mid-range Grand Sport model.
This model was photographed without any camouflage during an official photoshoot earlier this month. The car had the same Admiral Blue paint as the C7 Corvette Grand Sport, as well as bright red stripes on the rear fenders.
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The exact power output of the new Grand Sport remains undetermined, but rumors suggest the 6.7-liter engine could produce around 550 horsepower. This would place it comfortably between the base Stingray and the more powerful E-Ray and Z06 variants.
GM’s decision to invest in a new generation of large engines simultaneously in several countries demonstrates strategic confidence in this segment, despite general trends. It may also indicate a calculation that the market for powerful cars, especially in North America, will remain stable. The success of these engines could largely depend on their efficiency and compliance with future regulations, making fuel injection technologies a key element of their design.