Angel Sergeev is a seasoned automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the automotive industry. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he began his writing career in 2010 while pursuing a degree in Transportation Engineering.
His early work included contributions to the local edition of F1 Racing magazine (now GP Racing magazine) and roles at various automotive websites and magazines.
In 2013, Angel joined Motor1.com (formerly WorldCarFans), where he dedicated over a decade to delivering daily news and feature articles. His expertise spans a wide range of topics, including electric vehicles, classic cars, and industry topics. Angel’s commitment to automotive journalism is further demonstrated by his membership in the Bulgarian Car of the Year jury since 2013.
Chevy looks ready to shake up the C8 Corvette ’s engine room. Multiple reports say GM’s next-gen small-block family will come in 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter flavors, and the bigger one could land in the Stingray, E-Ray, and a long-rumored Grand Sport. None of this is locked yet, but the smoke is getting thick.
A now-deleted Facebook post from a Corvette buyer claimed a GM dealer meeting in Texas teased a widebody C8 Grand Sport and flagged the new 6.6-liter as the go-to engine for the base and mid-range C8s. CorvetteBlogger and GM Authority both picked up the chatter, though you should probably treat the information as early intel, but it lines up with GM’s broader V8 plans. Keep in mind there’s also a manual transmission now that could fit in the C8’s engine bay.
GM didn’t shelve big cubes, far from it. In May, the company poured $888 million into its Tonawanda Propulsion plant to build its sixth-gen V8s. GM said these engines target stronger performance and better efficiency for trucks and SUVs, and outside reporting pegs the ramp for 2027. That spending keeps the small-block alive and kicking, and gives Corvette a healthy parts bin to raid.
The Grand Sport angle gets fans buzzing for a reason. The C6 and C7 Grand Sports nailed the sweet spot – widebody grip, cooler hardware, and a price that undercut the track monsters. A C8 Grand Sport with a 6.6-liter would bring big torque and the stance people want, without jumping straight to the Z06’s high-revving exotica. GM Authority says the Grand Sport is “inching closer,” and that timing pairs nicely with a mid-cycle punch for the lineup.
So what would a 6.6-liter do in a mid-engine Corvette? Look at GM’s current 6.6-liter L8T in HD trucks for a hint, then add imagination. The truck tune isn’t Corvette material, but GM already shows a hotter 6.6 crate spec that makes 523 hp and 543 lb-ft. A Corvette-specific Gen VI could rev freer, breathe better, and keep mass in check. Figure broad, easy torque, quick throttle, and less strain than the LT2 at the same pace. That’s catnip for street and track-day drivers.
There’s also a manufacturing wrinkle in the rumor mill – one post claimed GM would bring all engine building to Kentucky. Tonawanda, New York, builds the LT2 for Stingray and E-Ray, while Bowling Green’s Performance Build Center in Kentucky hand-assembles the LT6 for Z06 and the LT7 hybrid twin-turbo for ZR1/ZR1X. GM’s fresh $888M for Tonawanda strongly suggests New York stays deeply involved with Gen VI. Expect a split – mass-volume small-blocks from Tonawanda, hand-built exotica from Bowling Green.
Meanwhile, GM’s production strategy is bending back toward ICE where buyers still want it. The company shifted its Toledo facility back toward gas-vehicle transmissions earlier this year, and Reuters noted Tonawanda’s pivot away from planned EV drive units to the new V8 line. That context makes a Corvette engine refresh feel even more plausible.
Where does the ZR1X sit in all this? Up top – and likely scarce. Chevy now lists the ZR1X with a 1,250-hp hybridized LT7 and e-AWD, a price north of $200K, and a Quail Silver Limited Edition. CorvetteBlogger says dealers were told ZR1X availability will be “very limited,” under 5 percent of total output, especially early on. The model’s configurator is already online, and you can create your dream Corvette right now.
Source: Corvette Blogger
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