Next Corvette to have all new 5.5 liter 440hp V8?

Motor Trend, citing a source inside General Motors, is reporting that the next generation Corvette will sport an all new motor. Naturally, this motor will be a V8, it just won't have the large displacement of the current 6.2 and 7.0 liter engines.

This next generation small block will find its first home in the next Corvette, the results of an $890 million dollar investment on GM's part. It will feature an aluminum block and heads, direct injection, and a new combustion system to improve efficiency.

The reported new engine will displace 5.5 liters, and produce around 440 horsepower. While this isn't an earth shattering number, one would certainly expect the next Corvette to be lighter than the current model.

Corvette C7 coming in 2012?

Corvette lovers had a slight scare in the state of the current economy with the bankrupcy of GM and word that performance models would be placed on the backburner, like the Z28. In a world of ever increasing gas prices, would the legendary Corvette meet it's demise after a long run as America's sports car?

Well it looks like the 'vette will continue on, at least if the latest two year product plans coming from GM hold out to be true. The plan is to introduce the C7 Corvette in 2012 as a 2013 model. Previous plans were to hold off on a new Corvette until 2014. Having a mid engine layout is a dead idea, as the C7 will continue on with the classic front engine, rear drive layout.

Rumors are that C7 will be smaller and lighter than the C6, which could be accomplished with the use of more exotic materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum in the construction. Rumor also has it that styling could be influenced by the 2009 Chicago Auto Show's Stingray Concept, the car you see in the pictures above. Well, we hope that rumor isn't true.