The good ol’ American V8 apparently still has some life in it during this increasingly electrified era.
While petrolheads are currently bemoaning that EVs will soon take over their world, a quick look around will show that ICE doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. And truly, even the big ol’ V8 seems to not be at death’s door, with General Motors recently announcing it is planning to develop an all-new generation V8.
Production of what is to be its upcoming sixth-generation V8 engines is slated to start in 2027, and GM is certainly putting its money where its mouth is, by investing $888 million (RM 3.75 billion) into its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in New York for the eventual production of these engines. The automaker incidentally noted today’s announcement was the “largest single investment the company has ever made in an engine plant.”
GM has stated that these upcoming sixth-generation V8s will predominantly be used in full-size trucks and SUVs including the Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban as well as the GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL. It remains to be seen if there will be another ICE-powered Cadillac Escalade as the company recently launched the Escalade IQ, though Cadillac officials have previously walked back their electric-only plans.
As for something a little sexier meanwhile, it remains to also be seen if this V8 will end up in performance vehicles like the Corvette or Camaro. Though even if it does, previous hints suggest that the latter may eventually arrive with two more doors than normal.
Now putting models aside and focusing on the V8 itself, GM said the “new generation of engines is expected to deliver stronger performance,” better fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. The company also teased “new combustion and thermal management innovations” that aid in these improvements.
There’s sadly no word on specifics of these upcoming V8s, but the current 5.3-litre “small block” develops 355 hp and 519 Nm of torque. Customers can also get the aforementioned 6.2-liter V8 that churns out 420 hp and 623 Nm of torque in its naturally aspirated form, or 682 hp and 885 Nm of torque when a supercharger has been slapped onto it.
Rather ironically, the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in New York where these V8s will be churned out represents a shift from a previously announced $300 million (RM 1.3 billion) commitment to make EV drive units at the plant. The move is likely another sign of automakers adapting to slower-than-expected market demand for EVs and comes after the Detroit automaker aggressively lobbied Congress to rescind California electric-vehicle rules.
Funnily enough too, this announcement comes amid General Motors being embroiled in a massive 6.2-litre V8 engine recall from problematic connecting rods and/or crankshafts. Recalling a whopping 597,630 trucks and SUVs, three percent of the recalled population is believed to have defects.
CEO Mary Barra said of this recent V8 investment announcement, “Our significant investments in GM’s Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.” She added that they’re “continuing to innovate the engines we build there to make them more fuel efficient and higher performing, which will help us deliver world-class trucks and SUVs to our customers for years to come.”
