Going against the industry trend, General Motors is preparing an all-new sixth-generation family of V8 engines
Not long ago, it seemed that classic V8 engines were living on borrowed time. Emissions rules continue to tighten, automakers are downsizing and turning to turbocharged engines, and naturally aspirated V8s have been steadily pushed into the background. General Motors, however, is choosing a different path.
The company is working on a completely new sixth-generation V8 engine family for Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac. And this isn’t limited to trucks and SUVs—the engines are also slated for sports cars, including the Chevrolet Corvette and the future Grand Sport.
GM has already confirmed that production will take place in the United States, but manufacturing will not be limited to U.S. plants. Canada is also part of the plan. The Oshawa Assembly plant in Ontario will return to a two-shift operation and begin producing the new V8s alongside GM facilities in Flint, Michigan, and Buffalo, New York.
According to GMSW, GM has invested more than CAD 2.6 billion in its Canadian operations over the past five years. That figure includes a dedicated CAD 280 million allocation aimed at preparing for next-generation full-size pickup production—models that are expected to be among the first to receive the new V8 engines.
Key points confirmed so far:
Production planned in both the U.S. and Canada
Oshawa plant moving back to two shifts
Part of the investment tied to future full-size pickups
The new engine, which may eventually carry the LS6 name, is expected to come in two displacements. The standard version is rumored to be a 5.5-liter V8, while the flagship option is said to measure 6.7 liters. Higher-output variants—confirmed for the 6.7-liter and possibly the 5.5-liter—are expected to feature an aluminum engine block and a dual fuel-injection system combining direct and port injection.
Engine lineup expectations:
5.5-liter V8 as a core offering
6.7-liter V8 as the top-tier version
Aluminum block and dual injection on higher-performance trims
Perhaps the most intriguing part of the story is that these V8s won’t be limited to workhorses. GM plans to introduce them into the Corvette lineup, including the long-anticipated mid-engine C8 Corvette Grand Sport. The model has already been spotted during what appears to be an official photo shoot, completely free of camouflage. The car was finished in Admiral Blue—matching the C7 Grand Sport—with bold red accents visible on the rear quarter panels.
Official output figures have not yet been released, but early rumors suggest the 6.7-liter V8 could produce around 550 horsepower. If that proves accurate, the Grand Sport would slot neatly between the base Stingray and the higher-performance E-Ray and Z06, filling a long-expected sweet spot in the Corvette range.