V8 Engine Is Far From Dead at GM
Date posted: 01-22-2008


DETROIT — Afficionados of the grand ol' American V8 moaned when news came last month that General Motors killed an ambitious program that was well on its way to developing a sophisticated, all-new DOHC V8 architecture. The so-called "Ultra" V8, or UV8 in GM parlance, was to replace the aging Northstar in a variety of GM premium cars, but was mainly earmarked for Cadillac.

Yeah, the UV8 program is shelved, Tom Stephens, GM's group vice president for global powertrain and quality, told Inside Line at the recent Detroit auto show — but he says don't be in a hurry to write any obituaries for the V8 at GM.

First, the ubiquitous small-block V8 architecture remains for any number of applications, including the Corvette, obviously, and Cadillac's high-power V-Series models. GM will go out of business — or be taken over by Greenpeace — before it ever kills its historic small-block V8 architecture.

Second, although in the decision to shelve the UV8, Stephens says, "I think we did the right thing for this moment in time," the UV8 development is "wrapped up with a bow," and the program could be revisited in the future, if market conditions warrant.

In fact, Stephens teased us by saying the UV8 is "as refined as anything in the history of internal-combustion engines. It was the quietest engine we've ever tested."

He also says that while it has been assumed the long-in-the-tooth Northstar V8 would be discontinued by around 2010-'11, "you'll have to wait and see," regarding the ultimate fate of the V8 that has been in production since being introduced in the '93 Allante roadster. The insinuation is clear: Keeping the old Northstar around longer than planned now may be an option for premium-car customers who still insist on seeing a V8 when they lift the hood.

But Stephens says GM already has observed a change in consumers' engine preferences: At the Cadillac division, 85 percent of buyers for the SRX crossover and STS luxury sedan are opting for the 3.6-liter DOHC V6 instead of the Northstar 4.6-liter V8. GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner recently said buyers of Chevrolet's hot new Malibu midsize sedan also are opting more for the car's base four-cylinder engine than GM planners anticipated.

What this means to you: Fantasize about what might have been with GM's now-discontinued premium V8, but take heart in the knowledge the great small-block V8 remains — including for the all-new Camaro. — Bill Visnic, Correspondent

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=124444

 

Good stuff. I like the part about being taken over by Greenpeace before the small block ever goes away.

MAN it woulda been sweet to see what the UV8 program turned out.

 

sounds like they cheapened out.

 

So they will give-up up-to 15% of their buyer base to save the money in development costs? Not my way of doing things, but i suppose there is always European V8's, or the trusty LSx.

 

I think the V8 is a hard sell it tops the V6 by only 18hp. V8=320 15/24, V6=302 17/26

 

One man's "cheaped out" is another man's "good business". Why waste development money on an engine architecture that may be made obsolete by CAFE?

The choice seems pretty clear -- if CAFE will dictate that only premium vehicles will have V8 options, why would you develop two distinct V8 lines? Put all of your V8 development money in your tried-and-true architecture and in making it more fuel efficient.

 

but they are still going to build the engine it was to replace.

 

yup. which is why they need a newer version.

 

I would think that we will find some (all?) of the UV8s refinements in the Gen V LSx engines, including DOHC on some versions.

 

Sure. But they aren't putting more money into it, are they? The article hints that the Northstar will only continue on as long as CAFE will allow it to. That would make sense.

Exactly. And I'm sure you're still saving money by carrying on with one future V8 family in different configurations than two distinct programs. To me, this is just further consolidation, much like GM Powertrain consolidating all of its operations in the 70's/80's, when each division no longer had its own unique engines.

 

Personally, I'd look for some of the UV8's refinements to go on the Northstar. That would make sense, since they're limiting developments to current V8 families. Just pure guessing, but I'd expect the Northstar to get a bump sometime in the near future.

 

I figured 400hp easy, whoops. Sounds like the V8 needs a lot of work! Not less .

 

First its doom and gloom because GM is dropping all V8s.

What's that? Only the Ultra-V8 program is being put on hitaus?

Now its doom and gloom because GM is trying to cut costs by maintaining the LSx V8 program.

Does anyone else see the irony in this logic?

 

I think we all knew GM wasn't dropping V8's. The Northstar replacement is a setback for Caddy. We'll have to see of CAFE is dealt with by M-B and BMW. But more money for the LS engines is better for all of us. DOHC still on the table?
With the dual system hybrids in the full size trucks there is a potential to place them in passenger cars like Camaro, Vette and Caddy's.

 

I still fail to see why GM would pour all that money into a new engine just to kill it before it hits production. Seems like a huge waste of financial resources to me. Even if it was killed because of CAFE, just put it in high dollar low volume cars to keep it from effecting GM's CAFE number so much.