These are the most likely candidates to receive V8 power for years to come.
General Motors announced a sizeable $918 million investment in four US facilities, but the big news is an all-new sixth-generation small block V8 engine. So, where will this V8 be used?
While GM has been pushing EVs hard via brands like GMC and Chevrolet, it is following Toyota, Hyundai, and BMW's lead by not placing all of its eggs in one basket. We think it's a smart move, as there are certain segments in which customers won't accept an EV-only range.
GM's announcement only referenced full-size trucks and SUVs, and those models are easy enough to identify within each brand. Looking at the various brands closely and GM's previous statements about what will go electric, we can make an educated guess as to where this V8 will eventually pop up.
It's worth noting that no technical specifications are available, and we won't see this new engine for a few years.
Buick
Buick has been left stagnant for a long time. Most of the models currently on offer arrived on the Ark with Noah.
In late 2022, we discovered several Buick trademarks for electric vehicles. GM now owns the names Electra E1 through Electra E9, which suggests Buick will become electric-only.
The Electra-X Concept will come to America as the Electra E4, offering another competitor in a hotly contested segment. Buick's latest concepts are all EVs, and it doesn't seem like GM has any ICE plans for the brand beyond the models it currently has on sale. These old models will likely be phased out to make room for the E1 to E9 mentioned above.
So, no V8 power for Buick.
Cadillac
Cadillac is leading the charge for GM's electrification. The Lyriq was the first out of the gates, and it will be followed by an all-new halo model, the Celestiq. Caddy also owns the trademarks for Ascendiq and Lumistiq, so we know more EVs are coming. In fact, Cadillac wants to be fully electric by 2030, and that includes its famous full-size SUV, the Escalade.
The CT5-V Blackwing is not getting a successor, and Cadillac hasn't sold a truck since 2013.
Still, we can't see Cadillac not selling an Escalade with a V8 engine. The biggest Caddy can adopt the same massive battery pack as the Hummer, but the brand might alienate thousands of loyal customers by only selling a battery-powered Escalade.
It's also worth noting that the current fifth-generation Escalade will likely survive for a few more years before Cadillac's switch to electric power. The new V8 could be an ideal way of keeping ICE fans happy with more power and reduced emissions.
Chevrolet
Chevy will undoubtedly be at the receiving end of this new V8 engine. While its Bolt EV has been a smash hit and the upcoming Equinox is bound to sell up a storm, a few of its models will remain V8-powered.
Chevrolet already broke tradition when it introduced the Corvette E-Ray, and we don't think Americans are ready for a world without a V8 Corvette. Already there are rumors that the C9 will retain its V8. Chevrolet will likely want to keep its supercar combustion-powered for as long as possible, especially now that a Corvette sedan and SUV are rumored to be in the pipeline. Those cars can have electric powertrains, but the OG American supercar slayer needs to stick with internal combustion as long as possible. The next-gen E-Ray hybrid will almost certainly also use the new V8 engine.
The Silverado EV is also coming, but it's highly unlikely Chevy will stop producing ICE trucks. EVs aren't particularly good at towing or in cold weather, so the V8 engine needs to stick around in the 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD models.
For proof, look no further than Ford. The oldest American automaker is hitting the EV segment hard, but even it decided that its Super Duty models won't be electrified anytime soon. In fact, Ford reckons heavy-duty trucks will go the hydrogen route before going fully electric.
EV prices aren't coming down, which is why SUVs like the Suburban and Tahoe will likely remain V8-powered for as long as possible.
GMC
While GM chose the GMC Hummer as its halo EV, we can see several models carrying on with the new small block V8 engine.
As with Chevrolet, GMC's truck portfolio will remain mostly ICE, even though the Sierra EV is on the way. The same goes for the Yukon.
As mentioned earlier, EVs are not getting cheaper. A top-spec Sierra EV is expected to cost more than $100k, nearly twice as much as a V8-powered 1500. We're sure there will be enough noisy customers demanding V8s for GM to at least consider imbuing GMC with its new small block, but it seems like a no-brainer.
Whatever the future holds, at least the V8 will be around somewhere. Here's hoping it's worth the wait.
Keyword: What Will GM's All-New Small-Block V8 Power?