GM investing almost $1billion in next-gen V8

23rd January 2023

Ethan Jupp

It seems every other day a new death knell rings for the internal combustion engine. Happily, this story isn’t a part of that narrative. Quite the opposite in fact. Here we bring you news that General Motors is investing almost a billion dollars in the next-generation small-block V8.

Yes, next-generation, yes small-block V8: the engine format that’s as archaic as it is evocative, powering everything from ‘60s Lola Can-Am cars that race the Goodwood Revival, to the just-revealed hybridised 2023 C8 Corvette E-Ray. The move is described by the General as one to ‘strengthen its industry-leading full-size truck and SUV business’.

We can surely hope then that the marque’s quintessentially V8-powered sportscar will get V8 power in at least the next generation to come too. GM has so far only committed to all-electric manufacturing and the stop of internal combustion engine production by 2035. That’s no guarantee the gen-six V8 will live right up until then but you can be sure this $918million investment will be expected to yield returns for as long as possible. Add to that the next Corvette isn’t expected before 2028 and you can sort of fill in the blanks: this new V8 should go the distance. Indeed, as the gen-five has, given it debuted almost ten years ago in the 2014 C7 Corvette.

As for the current Corvette, a future V8 doesn’t exclude electrification. Quite the opposite. The E-Ray with its front motor and compact battery is just the start, with GM being very open about the imminent arrival of an all-electric ‘Vette. The fact that will be sold alongside the screaming 670PS 8,600rpm Corvette Z06 is if nothing else, proof the two approaches can co-exist, and even benefit each other. Ford CEO Jim Farley once told us, if not for the Mustang Mach-E, the V8 pony car wouldn’t be allowed to live on. Indeed, there’s a reasonable investment coming for EV architectures and integration, as well as for the V8.

As for the new mill itself, no specs are known just yet and indeed, only the volume utilitarian offerings have been spoken about on the record as hosts for it. Whether it’ll remain naturally aspirated is also up for debate. More as we have it.