GM reveals next-gen V8 Chevy Corvette engine

The fifth-generation small block engine for the 2014 Corvette will deliver an estimated 450 horsepower and achieve 0-60 in less than four seconds, officials say.

When the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette arrives late next year, it will be powered by a technologically advanced, racing-proven 6.2L V-8 delivering an estimated 450 horsepower and helping produce 0-60 times in less than four seconds. (Courtesy GM)

PONTIAC, MI- The seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette will be powered by an all-new small-block, LT1 6.2-liter V8 engine, General Motors Co. announced Wednesday.

The fifth-generation small block engine for the 2014 Corvette will deliver an estimated 450 horsepower and achieve 0-60 in less than four seconds, officials say.

“The Corvette LT1 represents the most significant redesign in the Small Block’s nearly 60-year history – building on its legacy to make one of the world’s best engines even better,” said Sam Winegarden, GM vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering, in a statement.

The new engine, which will be built at GM’s Tonawanda Engine Plant in Buffalo, N.Y., features a direct injection, active fuel management and continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion system, which all add up to better fuel efficiency.

GM said finalized miles per gallon figures won’t be finalized until early next year, but the new LT1 engine is expected to be the most fuel-efficient Corvette ever, exceeding the 2013 EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

“The Holy Grail for developing a performance car is delivering greater performance and more power with greater fuel economy and that’s what we’ve achieved,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer.

Officials said more than 10 million hours of computational analysis were conducted on the engine program, including 6 million hours (CPU time) dedicated to the advanced combustion system.

The highly-anticipated vehicle will debut on Jan. 13 during a special media event ust before the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

To start the countdown to “1.13.13,” GM last week released a new logo for the 2014 model.