Let's Hope GM's New V8 Is Better Than The Last One

The automaker announced an $888 million investment into its Tonawanda Propulsion plant in New York to support the production of GM’s upcoming sixth-generation small-block V8, which is expected to start rolling off the line in 2027.

The next-generation V8 will power the company’s lineup of full-size trucks and SUVs, including favorites such as the Chevrolet Silverado and Tahoe, as well as the GMC Sierra and Yukon. The new V8 engine should also find its way into the Cadillac Escalade, considering it prints money for Cadillac—although Cadillac's decision-making process has been anything but logical over the last 10 years.

GM says the new engine will bring improvements in performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions. Output figures won't be known until GM drops the engines into its full-size trucks, but GM says the next-gen engines are expected to surpass the current small-block lineup thanks to revised combustion strategies and updated thermal management systems.

Currently, the 5.3-liter V8 produces 355 horsepower, and the 6.2-liter V8 makes 420 horsepower. Both engines have been plagued with issues—both the 5.3L and 6.2L engines equipped with Active Fuel Management (AFM) have experienced valve lifter failures, which can also cause the camshaft to fail, and the 6.2L is currently under recall due to crankshaft bearing failures.

“GM's Buffalo [Tonawanda] plant has been in operation for 87 years and is 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,” said Mary Barra, GM's Chair and CEO.

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