5 Vehicles You Probably Didn't Know Were LS Powered
You will be shocked to learn that these vehicles are powered by variations of the GM's favorite engine, the LS engine.
1. Saab 9-7X
In 2006, the Swedish-produced Saab played a role in the story of GM. The Saab 9-7X was produced with an LS2 engine, quite similar to the one you'd find in the Chevy Trailblazer SS, which developed approximately 395 horsepower. This Saab was the first American-built model and was put together in the same plant as the GMT360 SUV. Would you have guessed there was an LS2 motor hiding under the Saab's hood?
2. 2003 Chevrolet Express
The LS engine has always been known for being powerful and aggressive, while the Chevy Express was thought of being mundane and utilitarian. The Express comes equipped with the Vortec LR4 small block V8 4.8-liter engine which was actually the smallest of the Gen 3 truck engines. It makes sense that GM would put an LS engine in the Express and Savana vans if you think about it. You're going to need a little grunt to move all that stuff you packed in there when you're hauling whatever you've got in there.
3. Holden VX
Holden is an Australian automotive manufacturer that is located in Port Melbourne. The Australian company used the GM LS engines as their motors of choice. The various Holden brands use engines like the L76 and the L98, which are variations of the LS2 and the LS3 engines. The engines were almost identical, but they added Displacement on Demand technology, which is an active fuel management used in these vehicles. This feature allowed four cylinders to shut down during cruising speeds to better the fuel consumption. The top of the line Holden VX offered a Gen 3 LS1 that put out 302 horsepower and 340 lb-ft-of torque.
4. Buick
In 2008, the Buick fitted the legendary LS4 engine in their LaCrosse Super. The LS4 was designed for front wheel drive vehicles. The LS4 is cast is from aluminum, and its crankshaft is 13mm shorter than the previous LS engine. The engine placement should be no surprise as it shares the same chassis with the Monte Carlo, Impala SS, and Pontiac Grand Prix GXP. The Buick has a couple advantages over these cars as it stops faster and is quicker than any of the other platform siblings in the stable.
5. Vauxhall
Vauxhall is another foreign car manufacturer that chose the Ls engine for their cars. The British automotive company was owned and manufactured by General Motors Europe, hence the GM Ls engines in their cars. The company began manufacturing in 1903, but they were acquired by GM in 1925. The Monaro VXR8 rolls with the same LS2 Gen 4 6.2-liter 425 horsepower that is used by the C6 Corvette and SS Camaro. In 2009, the VXR8 got steroids pumped into it by way of a supercharger and put out a version called the Bathurst S that puts out 552 brake horsepower. The Bathurst got its name from the famous Bathurst race in Australia that is 1,000 miles touring race held annually for supercars.
. For information on maintenance and repairs for your LS car, visit our How-To section here in LS1Tech.com!