GMInsidenews EXCLUSIVE:
Global Ultra V8 to replace PV8 (Northstar) in 2008
www.GMInsidenews.com
December 30th, 2004
GMI has learned that GM has acquired the help of the GM Performance Division to create an all-new engine which will be built in Livonia (where the current Northstar engine is produced) which will replace the current Northstar V8. The New Ultra-V8 will be a Global unit and is in the same High Feature Family as the DOHC 3.6 and 2.8 which currently power the Cadillac CTS and several Buick vehicles as well. The Ultra-V8 will displace 4.7l and is targeted to make 350-375HP Naturally Aspirated. This is extremely favorable against the current 4.6L Northstar Unit which makes 320HP N/A.
GMI has also learned that the new 7.5L V10 will not be based off of the expensive Northstar/Ultra Architecture, but rather the LS family of engines (LS2 and LS7) making it an OHV engine, not an OHC.
Another notable tidbit is that GM will finally be replacing it's dreaded 4-Speed Auto (4T65-E) with a new transmission code-named N22x.