Car and Driver has published photos of what could very well be the all-new Corvette Z06, or perhaps what will end up being called Z07. The photos themselves are a bit fuzzy, and it’s difficult to really make out anything other than it’s a C7 Corvette wearing a cloak. Now, it could be our eyes deceiving us, or is that a rear diffuser peeking out from the bottom of the rear fascia? We’re also expecting a larger front extractor with this track-oriented ‘Vette, but the vehicle in the spy shots doesn’t seem to have one.
Nobody is really sure what will power the next installment of the C7 family, but sources have hinted that turbocharged engines are not, repeat not, being tested with Corvettes. At least not yet. But considering the naturally-aspirated nature of the outgoing Corvette Z06 and its wonderful LS7 V8, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stick to that pedigree while dialing everything up a few more notches. And if we’re lucky, we just might see the 2015-2016 C7 Corvette Z06 at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in January. Winter can’t seem to come soon enough.
Comments
Would they use the DI treatment for the LS7? If so that would be great.. I was hoping they still kept the 427.. I don’t mind charging engines but keep the 427 just upgrade it with the new tech in the LT’s..
Sadly, I don’t think the venerable LS7 will find it’s way into the C7.
Hopefully there will be a new LT that has comparable (or better) output to the LS7, which would likely be inside a new Z06. All we can do is wait and see.
No LS 7 here as GM stated on the special edition cars last fall it was the last of the 427 in the Vette.
Now we have other engines coming including a L88 and others that will fill the roll of these past engines.
With the DI and other changes these new engines will do a lot in the Vette that will make the missing LS7 go un noticed.
I didn’t imply that GM would continue to use the LS7, but rather that GM should continue with the Z06 (Z07?) being NA.
too bad there no 427 any more which made the z06, but I’m sure the new z07 will up the hp antee (600hp)??
There is no way you’ll see a 600hp NA V8 without adding forced induction. Not possible, at least with Chevy. The ZR1 required a S/C to get to over 600hp. If the Z06/Z07 is NA then you won’t see more than 560hp.
Chris, the engine architecture between the LS series and the LT series of v8 smallblocks is WAY different. Building the engines with technology like direct injection and Variable valve timing increase the potential for NA power in these motors. Its apparent just by the torque and hp gains of the LT1 over the LS3 engine. I think a 7.0L LT5 is a definate possibility. And while 600hp seems a little lofty to me too, I think that 550-575 is more than likely the point that the Z07 will hit. Oh, and gloriously large amounts of Torque, hopefully 😀
Looking forward to my C7 and already have my first mod planned 🙂
C7 Exhaust Upgrade