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2014 Corvette Gen5 LT1 V8 Revealed, Likely Previews VF Commodore Engine

Last week it was a new logo. Now Chevrolet has unveiled the new engine that will power its 2014 C7 Corvette sports car. Dubbed 'LT1', the new 6.2 litre engine marks the fifth generation of Chevrolet’s ‘small block’ V8, whi


Last week it was a new logo. Now Chevrolet has unveiled the new engine that will power its 2014 C7 Corvette sports car.

Dubbed 'LT1', the new 6.2 litre engine marks the fifth generation of Chevrolet’s ‘small block’ V8, which first saw duty in 265 cubic inch (4.3 litre) guise in the 1955 Corvette.

Significantly, the new engine uses direct injection and variable valve timing for the first time, while adding the existing active fuel management cylinder deactivation system already used in several GM models.

These high-tech features have been integrated into what is clearly still a overhead valve engine design, although the word 'pushrod' is suspiciously absent from Chevrolet’s press material.

Chevrolet also points out that the new engine is 18kg lighter than a competitor’s twin-turbo V8 engine (read BMW), yet delivers similar power - but does not specify its weight relationship to the current Generation IV engine.

This is the third time the LT1 moniker has been applied to a small block, having previously been applied as the hyphenated ‘LT-1’ in the early 70s, before returning sans hyphen to a version in the early 90s.

The latest LT1 is likely to find its way into Australian Holden Commodores (and its upcoming Chevrolet SS export cousin) some time after the VF model launches next year.

Before this, the LT1 will be unveiled within the C7 Corvette at the Detroit Auto Show in January, ahead of commencing production in September.

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