Historically, the General Motors “LT” small-block V8 engine family featured multiple variants. There was the base 5.7L LT1 V8 engine, used in several GM vehicles in the early 90s, the most familiar being the C4 Corvette, F-Body Chevrolet Camaro SS and Pontiac Trans Am. There was also the LT4, a high-performance version of the LT1, which was found in C4 Corvette Grand Sports, SLP Pontiac Firehawks, and SLP Camaro SS models. But for the C4 Corvette ZR1, there was the special LT5 — an engine developed by Lotus, with a DOHC design, and four valves per cylinder.
As GM seems to be looking to repeat history with the all-new fifth-generation Small Block 6.2 LT1 destined for the 2014 Corvette Stingray, as we’ve discovered that the LT engine family will expand with familiar names. Most recently we’ve uncovered that General Motors has reapplied for the “LT5” trademark, described as “engines for automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks and vans.” As such, we’re lead to believe that a new LT5 would find itself in a new high-performance variant of the C7 Corvette, given the history.
The same goes for the “LTX” trademark filing. While some may point out that “LTX” could simply be the umbrella name for the entire LT-engine family (LTx, with x being whatever designation the LT engine is given), we like to think “LTX” could be the name of some range-topping motor in the works, as X is so-often tied to something extreme. Perhaps a crate motor, like the current LSX engine.
While we’re on the subject, a very revealing Corvette Forum thread also mentioned the return of the LT4 engine, which is expected to be placed in a high-performance variant of the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro that will begin rolling out in 2015. There’s also the refiling of the “L88” trademark, which was the name given to a select amount of 7.0L Corvette racing engines from the 1960s.
So, with the new LT1 and the Corvette Stingray due to arrive shortly, keep an eye out for LT4, LT5, LTX and L88 engines, and get ready for a new generation of GM performance.
Comments
These will surely be names of future small block icons…gen 5 will not disappoint!!
Gen V blocks with LT_ prefixes.
Fill in a letter or a number in the last slot, and you have 36 different flavours of Gen V; a flavour for everyone.
sweet, when do we get to see them?
Wonder what the name/designation will be of the motor in the next CTSV.
I wonder what the name/designation will be for the motor going into the next CTSV.
I wonder what the name/designation will be for the motor going into the next CTSV.
Seems to be an echo in this thread. Hopefully the engine has a humdinger of an exhaust note.
OR like the LTS ultra Cadillac sedan it could be the ultimate crossover vehicle, LTX
Then the trademark would not have described an engine. It would have described an automobile or badge work.
If only the USPTO required them to release the specs on the product they are trademarking. If only…
LT-5 5.7 Liter .