We just got the formal invitation to attend the introduction of GM’s all-new small-block, the one that will power the 2013 Corvette, then all of GM’s V-8 powered vehicles. We plan on bringing you the complete story in the March 2013 issue of PHR, but at the moment we can give you a pretty good idea of what’s coming based on this intriguing photo at GM’s Tonawanda engine plant, taken recently by Buffalo Business First, and widely circulating on the internet. We expect the new Gen V engine to employ direct cylinder injection and have a higher compression ratio. Also look for variable valve timing—maybe even with dual camshafts (either separate in-block cams, or concentric cams)—and cylinder deactivation. The engine is also heavily rumored to take advantage of improvements in efficiency that result from an “Atkinson cycle,” which is a six-event sequence instead of the normal four found in Otto-cycle engines. (Basically, efficiency is improved at the expense of power density. Atkinson Cycle engines are already found in various hybrid engines, including the Toyota Prius.) Speculators who are in the know say to look for the 2013 Corvette Gen V engine to develop at least 450 hp, and have displacement between 5.3 and 6 liters.