Next-Generation Corvette C7 ZR1 Rumored To Deliver As Much As 700 Horsepower
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It sounds absolutely bonkers. But considering the outgoing model made just shy of 640 horsepower, the Motor Trend report that the next-generation Corvette C7 ZR1 will pack anywhere between 650-700 horsepower, with the respective Z06 model making around 550-600 horsepower, isn’t that big of a stretch.
Providing the next range-topping Corvette that amount of giddy-up is expected to be a supercharged version of GM’s new LT1 V8 engine, which isn’t that far of a departure from the setup currently found in the outgoing model with the supercharged, 6.2L LS9. Appending the rumor is the suggestion that the engine will be the rebirth of the LT5 nameplate, which made its debut in a previous-generation ZR1 in the early 1990s. THat said, we doubt the engine will be engineered by Lotus, and feature dual-overhead-cams this time around.
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A 700hp C7 ZR1 has been whispered around for 2 years and not all that surprising. The only problem is, the current ZR1 is already a handful and takes a pretty damn skilled driving to make use of anywhere close to it’s full power/potential. GM engineers will have their hands full keep all that power at the rear wheels in check
That’s why the calls of AWD grow louder.
I don’t think the Corvette should be like the Viper; like pure cocaine. I’d think of the Corvette like a whiskey, specifically an American bourbon.
That’s why I think AWD in a Corvette with 700hp probablly wouldn’t hurt, it would add to the experience.
agreed. Some exotic cars have a switch to adjust the power, maybe the ZR1 could do with one of those. So you could dial it down for regular driving.
This is awesome to hear. Honestly though it isn’t too surprising since the last one was almost at 700 hp. It’d be so badass if the ZR1 again took the Nurburgring fastest lap time crown along with having more horsepower than a Viper and Aventador.
I’d also like to see a version that was barely street legal like the old Viper ACR. Something with huge amounts of downforce, grip, power upgrades and weight reductions to defend that Nurburgring crown that will soon be on Corvette’s head.
With the 918, P1, F150 all set to debut, I don’t think we’ll see a Corvette take the Nurburgring crown.
The P1 is seemingly the car to beat, it has set lap times 6 seconds faster than a GT3 12C round the Catalunya racetrack. Which is only 2.9miles long, so 6 seconds is huge. But even more unbelievable is that claims are it is 24 SECONDS! faster around Silverstone than any other street car. And does 0-60mph in 2.8sec.
McLaren aren’t setting out to make the fastest car in the world like they did with F1 20 years ago. They are, however, making the quickest.
And that’s not to say the new Porsche and Ferrari are going to be slouches either.
The present car could go 725 HP as it has done this level in testing for emissions and Warranty.
The new engine should have no issue hitting this mark if GM wants to.
Watch the camaro horsepower go up .?
Scary.
Now you’re talking. A 700 horsepower C7 ZR1 is what I really waiting for. How soon can I place my order? When will deliveries start?
AWD is not necessay. This would only add significant cost and repair down the road. The hallmark of Vette is it’s straight-forward use of layout. Magnetic Ride has done wonders, rear mounted transaxle, and other tech are great as well.
This picture is B-O-$-$.
I understand that cars need to evolve — but AWD and Corvette will never be together. TCM systems will be the components to evolve.
I wish AWD was something you could change out, like tires or breaks, just to see how the car would preform with it. I would like to try it on my car because it gets soooo squirrelly!! Mine reportedly puts 800+ to the rear wheels but I have yet to prove that myself. I only have the dyno sheets. But still, mine does not have all the modern stuff this new ZR1 will have so I doubt they will add it. Might be fun though!
you can never have enough rwhp or $$ can you? ye who have little faith corvette is a force to be reckond with!!!
Regarding AWD, the other surpercars that have it are all mid or rear engined vehicles. The AWD actually helps them a bit with weight distribution and a little extra traction up front to steer and pull the lighter front end.
For the Corvette, I don’t think the advantages are as present. AWD would add significant weight which fights against there efforts to reduce it. The front differential would need to be driven from the rear transmission, requiring an extra driveshaft which also reduces the advantage of the transmissions location. This is unless they do something like the Ferrari FF, but that sounds like a compormised system to me, and Ferrari hasn’t applied it to their other vehicles since the FF launch 2 yearsa ago. These are all engineering challanges that would need to be overcome, and only for a marginal gain. The Corvette is already very competitive with the Porsches and Lamborghinis that have them, so the AWD design exercise seems to be an unnecessary burden for a Corvette.
*please overlook my typos.*
*overlooking typos* Great points, Brian. There are a lot more AWD cars and SUVs on the roads lately but those vehicles are not built for speed like the Corvette so they can take the weight. While the AWD does come in handy in the snow, I have no intention of driving any super car around this state in the winter due to all the chemicals on the road. The weight distribution point reminds me of the old days when we put sand bags over certain wheels to keep the cars on the roads in the winters. That was fun! =)
They might have to raise the HP to 700HP just for bragging rights over the 2013 Shelby GT500, if they don’t reduce the weight to something like 2900 lbs. Imagine just the 638HP with 2900lbs to carry. Nice power to weight ratio.
Nelson Racing In Chatsworth CA builds 1000-1500 HP Corvettes that run on pump gas. I am sick and tired of hearing BS about “it can’t be done” and such. I think the real reason GM is acting this way is because the (almost Bankrupt) US Government is carrying the NOTE that GM is paying back. So…GM is NO LONGER In the driving seat….? AWD is a true necessity when transferring HP to the wheels. GM knows how to do this…they just choose not to. I’m not buying a new Corvette until they make it what it truly can be. A pushrod “new LT-1”? Ugh. The LT-5 was lightyears superior to this “direct injection” (big deal..its been around forever) engine. Lots of “Marketing” being done here. Marketing isn’t always factual. It’s purpose is to persuade. Give the public what it wants, but don’t piss on our legs and tell us it is raining. I won’t buy until 700 HP and if it comes in at $90,000, I’m out. GM, who do you think you are fooling? Jeez, Ford announced that the 2015 GT500 will be over 1000 HP. Hello? The 2014 Viper is in the mid-600′;s. Hello? My take on this is that they are trying to attract a younger buyer (stated) and while the C-7 is pretty, it isn’t “world competitive” in horsepower. It is pretty though….and I’ll bet that it handles like a slotcar-limited by its horsepower. This situation is frustrating. I’m staying on the sidelines.
All that technology and no horsepower. I can’t believe that GM designed such a BEAUTIFUL CAR on the inside, and with the exclusion of the debatable tail (Camaro-like for the younger crowd), the visuals SING. But, a pushrod engine? Oh…direct injection? right…invented in 1902 (fact). Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, Renault, Volkswagen, Alfa Romeo, Ford, BMW, Isuzu, Mazda, Honda, Mercedes….it goes on and on. Everyone has one. So what? Jeez, why hasn’t the LT-5 been taken over and built by GM? I’d pay another $10,000 for an updated supercharged version….who wouldn’t? Who is spending the Marketing Department’s RESEARCH Money at GM? It is called a “Survey”. As the consumers. If you want the kids to buy the Corvettes, then ask them. But WE (the Boomers, the more “seasoned” fans) have the money, so you’d better listen to us as well. And I don’t think GM surveyed the folks who have owned TRUE Supercars, like my original AC Cobra (#2083). What is the real truth here? Build me a car that looks great, drives GREAT, and is left in the dust by many 4-seat cars? That’s not a Supercar. That is a poser. Give me 700+ horsepower, or keep your marketing money and build up that CRUZE, because SUPERCARS can’t leave so much on the table as this C-7 so obviously does. Really.
Leadfoot and the others who bash the push rod LT-1, here’s some facts that you might be interested to know: The cam-in-block, pushrod LT-1 is significantly lighter than a DOHC engine would be, as it has 1 cam as opposed to 4, it is cheaper to build, and thus to buy,it has less mechanical parts that are subject to wear and tear, and would be expensive to replace, it, because of its cam-in-block design has a lower center of gravity and smaller outside dimensions than a DOHC engine would, this allows for a smaller engine bay, a lower hood line, and overall a smaller and more aerodynamic car, also it is more efficient than BMW’s 4.4L DOHC 32 valve V8 found in the 550i and its twin turbocharged variant found in the M5, and is likely bulletproof like any other GM smallblock V8. You can have your overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder, and it can fall apart on you, I’ll gladly take this one and I’ll see you in my rear view mirror. Oh and also, DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder aren’t new technology either, I don’t know the exact date for sure, but I they date back to the early 1900’s as well. Have a nice day 🙂