The Gas-Guzzling V8 Isn’t Dead; GM Invests Nearly $1 Billion to Keep Them Alive
Those who lament the continued rise of electric vehicles will rejoice when learning that GM is heavily invested in continued V8 engine production. Recently, General Motors announced a nearly $1 billion investment into V8 engine production. This signals the survival of this lauded engine configuration. While other automakers (cough Toyota) turn their collective backs on V8 engines, GM continues to embrace these big and powerful workhorses.
Is GM developing a new V8 engine?
General Motors has recently announced it will spend $854 million to develop and build its next-generation V8 engines in the United States. The most recent addition to the mix is the new engine powering the Corvette Z06. As GM works toward new V8 engine production, the classic 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter models will remain in production.
Is Chevy Killing the V8?
On the contrary, the brand new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 uses a downsized V8 engine. This new, smaller engine is more powerful than the standard 6.2-liter model. The new 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine achieves 67 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is now the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine in any production car.
Additionally, The new 10-liter racing V8 used in the COPO Camaro has been added to the lineup. This big engine brings the heat at 1,004 horsepower and 876 lb-ft of torque. Its made for drag racing in the NHRA series. Fox News says this engine will likely go down in history as the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine in Chevy’s history.
Why is General Motors investing in V8 engine development and production?
GM is a leader in the EV market already. The Chevy Bolt EV took the world by storm as an answer to Tesla. The GMC Hummer EV showed what an electric pickup truck can do. Several new GM EVs are on the horizon. Still, several GM-branded pickups and large SUVs cannot offer the same capabilities using an electric powertrain as consumers receive from V8 engines.
Proof that gas-powered engines are still superior to electric powertrains for “truck stuff” such as towing and hauling has been shown time and again. Until EV power catches up to gas and diesel capabilities, we will likely see V8 engines continue to be used in pickup trucks.
But Toyota went hybrid with the Tundra; why can’t GM do the same?
Perhaps General Motors will develop a hybrid V6 that’s as powerful as the current V8 engines. That is not currently the case. Eventually, we may see the Chevy Silverado 1500 powered by a twin-turbocharged hybrid V6 or the Chevy Suburban with a similar power plant, but not yet. Maybe the future of GM V8 engine production will be hybrid. GM could add a hybrid component to the V8 engines, giving owners more power and capabilities.
How will this GM investment be split?
The most recent announcement showed a total investment of nearly $918 million. Some of this will go to the manufacturing of electric components at the Rochester, New York plant. This plant will receive $56 million for the production of battery pack cooling lines. Another $8 million will go to Defiance Operations in Ohio to build a casting development cell for future EV strategies. GM V8 engine production and development receives the remainder of the investment.
The new small block V8 engine from General Motors should be exciting, powerful, and capable of replacing at least one of the current V8 engines used in GM vehicles.
Next, check out how the Chevy Camaro will change to an EV sub-brand, or learn more about the new GM investment into V8 engine production in this video below:
