7.0-litre Gen IV V8
to be unveiled in the Corvette Z06 at the Detroit motor show in January, is almost certain to power the next generation HSV GTS sedan and coupe. The new engine, due for North American launch in the Corvette late in 2005 along with a new six-speed automatic gearbox, could be here in early 2006.
HSV did confirm that the GTS badge was being "rested", not retired, and despite recent comments by General Motors' enigmatic product czar Bob Lutz that the LS7 will produce 500hp, Payne refused to budge.
"There is nothing to tell about GTS. There is no GTS at this time."
Lutz, however, is less secretive when it comes to future GM product.
"A German competitor has just launched a complicated V10," Lutz said. "Our overhead valve V8 has the same power and performance, and only revs to 6500rpm."
Lutz is referring to BMW's 5.0-litre V10 engine in the M5 sedan, which revs beyond 8000rpm. BMW's engine produces 500hp (373kW) and 520Nm of torque. The M5 accelerates from rest to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds.
General Motors' new Wixom high performance engine facility in Detroit is confirmed to build the 7.0-litre LS7 engine alongside a supercharged version of the NorthStar V8 for the Cadillac XLR roadster. Initially the LS7 engine will find its way into the extreme Z06 Corvette in late 2005 before finding homes in other GM products, like the HSV GTS.
According to GM global drivetrain boss Tom Stephens, the Wixom facility has the capability to produce 15,000 "high performance niche engines for low volume specialty vehicles."
HSV's Payne admitted that Callaway, the supplier of high performance engine parts for the previous GTS, is "not a supplier to HSV at this time". He declined to confirm if that status would change in the near future.
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Chris
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