C8 Grand Sport: Hear The Upcoming Gen 6 Small Block
The Gen V small-block V8 from General Motors debuted for the 2014 model year, and now, almost twelve years later, we are eagerly awaiting to hear what the next-gen V8 will be. Will it still be pushrod? Or will they move towards a DOHC layout? Well, we now have a quick glimpse into the possible Gen 6 Small Block, but we have to use our ears instead of our eyes to get a “peek” at it.
C8 Grand Sport Rumors Point to a New Naturally Aspirated Powerplant
It seems that GM is preparing the next expansion of the C8 Corvette lineup, and all signs point to the return of the Grand Sport nameplate. Expected to slot neatly between the standard Stingray and the hybrid E-Ray models. The upcoming Grand Sport is rumored to feature a naturally aspirated V8 paired with a widebody chassis. That engine is widely believed to be a high-performance version of GM’s forthcoming Gen 6 Small Block V8, and we may have just found out what it will sound like.
What We Know So Far About The Gen 6 Small Block
The audio was shared by the Rick Corvette Conti YouTube channel and reportedly features an in-cabin exhaust sound clip from a C8 Corvette fitted with the Gen 6 Small Block, and might be called the LS6. While GM has not officially confirmed the engine or vehicle details, sources cited by GM Authority indicate the Gen 6 Small Block will launch in two displacements: a 5.7-liter version and a larger 6.6-liter variant. The smaller engine is expected to serve as the next-generation half-ton truck V8 for the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, while the larger displacement would be reserved for high-performance applications like the rumored C8 Grand Sport.
From The Rumor Mill
According to the video host, the C8 Grand Sport is projected to become the highest-volume model in the Corvette lineup once production begins. This would coincide with declining Z06 output and more limited availability of other widebody variants. The video also highlights a curious design detail spotted on a camouflaged C8 test car: a Buick-branded wheel center cap. As previously reported by GM Authority, this could be a subtle reference to Buick’s historic use of the “Gran Sport” name, potentially serving as an early Easter egg pointing to the Grand Sport’s return.
Listening In On GM’s Next-Gen V8
Do we think the next gen will be called the LS6? Not likely. While the last LS6 was produced 20 years ago for the first-gen CTS-V, we still think that’s too recent, and they will move towards a different designation. If the rumors hold true, the C8 Grand Sport could become the first performance showcase for GM’s Gen 6 Small Block, blending traditional V8 character with the advanced chassis of the C8 platform.
See the Youtube video below for the audio. The early portion of the video discusses the Grand Sport rumors and the audio runs from 3:45 to 4:25.
