GM’s Next-Gen V8 Engines Benefit From Another Huge Investment
While pushing electrification, General Motors is also working on a new generation of V8 engines—the sixth—mainly for full-size pickups and SUVs. After announcing an investment of $854 million USD in January 2023, the automaker is now committing another $888 million to boost production.
All that money will go to the Tonawanda Propulsion plant near Buffalo and represents the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine plant.
- Also: GM Recalls Trucks, SUVs With 6.2L V8 That May Lose Power or Fail
- Also: GM’s Battery Breakthrough Promises to Make Electric Trucks Cheaper
The new V8 units, expected from 2027, promise more power and fuel economy. Currently, the 5.3-litre block delivers 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-litre engine develops 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. A supercharged variant of the latter powers models such as the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and Escalade-V (up to 682 hp).
As for reducing fuel consumption (and emissions), GM says “new combustion and thermal management innovations will be a key factor driving these improvements,” without being more specific for the moment. Could these upcoming V8s be electrified, let’s say with a mild hybrid system? Only time will tell.
Their launch will come one year after the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, which are slated to debut in 2026 as 2027 models.
Hopefully, build quality will be better. As we wrote in late April, the 6.2-litre V8 currently faces a major recall due to manufacturing defects in the crankshaft and/or connecting rods—the nature of which isn’t specified—that can lead to engine damage, loss of propulsion or failure.
GM’s ultimate goal, remember, is to go all-electric by 2035. There’s still a lot of time left to sell conventionally powered vehicles. CEO Mary Barra has even hinted that gas-powered vehicles could continue beyond 2035 if customer demand justifies it.