Performance tuning company Vengeance Racing was – as far as we know – the first such group to get their hands on a brand new 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Their first order of business? Performing an obligatory burnout at the Chevrolet dealer for a group of on-lookers.
But their second order of business? Dynamometer testing.
Vengeance Racing found that their personal Corvette Z06 packed a few more ponies than expected, measuring 585 hp at the wheels, and 617 ft-lbs of torque. GM rated the motor at 650 each, power and torque (at the crank), so figuring a fairly standard 15 percent driveline loss, that would mean their Z06 was producing an awesome 688 hp, and 725 ft-lbs at the crank.
Of course, it could rather be that the Corvette Z06 has lower driveline losses than average; we do already know that the car contains a rather special carbon fiber driveshaft. But as noted by Corvette Forum, even assuming a much lower 10 percent driveline loss, torque is up 32 ft-lbs higher than it should be.
And this is in a car that hasn’t even been broken in more than the 20 or so miles to drive back to the shop.
Either way, General Motors seems to be continuing their tradition of under-representing the performance numbers of their motors, much (we’re sure) to the satisfaction and excitement of its customers.
Comments
Good. GM should do like BMW where they low ball HP numbers.
What is the surprise GM has a history of under rating engines for nearly 20 plus years. Ford on the other hand have been a little more optimistic and have been cause over estimating. I remember them getting in trouble for one of the Mustangs a few years ago.
Better to play it safe in this legal world anymore.
gm has been underrating engines since 1967 with the L88 and ZL1 with 560 and 600 respectively as real dyno numbers in later years and a factory rating of just 430 hp no wonder why 300ish l88s were made and 3 ZL1s.