GM bids farewell to the Northstar V8

The Northstar V8 engine was the pinnacle of the automotive industry in the North American market during the 1990s, as it suited the models American customers were buying at the time.

Time has passed and needs have changed, so car companies must look for viable solutions to today’s demand; for that reason, the North American manufacturer has announced that the versatile Northstar system will stop being used starting next month.

This powerplant debuted in 1993 with the Cadillac Allanté, and initially its use was reserved for the Cadillac brand, but over the years its technical advances allowed it to be part of several Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile models.

Throughout the life of the Northstar system, the 4.6L V8 spread across most of the lineup because it offered outstanding performance (between 275 and 302 horsepower), and even some high-performance versions were developed, such as the powerful 468-horsepower engine that drove the Cadillac STS-V.

GM was working on replacing the engine around 2000, but administrative and financial problems forced the program to be ended. Instead, the North American manufacturer will continue to rely on its current range of engines.

Source | Leftlane News