Z06 Variant Of Corvette C7 To Be Called Z07: Report
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Following spy shots of the Z06 variant of the seventh-generation Chevy Corvette is a report stating that the vehicle won’t be called Z06 at all. Instead, the even-higher-performing Corvette C7 variant will reportedly wear the Z07 moniker, thereby aligning its alpha-numeric designation with the publicly-recognized C7 nickname.
According to Car & Driver, a replacement for the range-topping ZR1 isn’t in the cards for the seventh-gen ‘Vette, at least not until very late into the model’s life cycle. Instead, the C7 Z07 will fill the void left by the C6 ZR1, delivering performance levels closer to the outgoing ZR1 than the Z06 it replaces.
To note, the Z06 name came to existence as a GM RPO code designating a special performance package conceived by none other than Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov for use in the second-gen Corvette C2 in 1963. The code subsequently reappeared on the C5 Corvette in 2001, and then on the C6 Corvette in 2006. Given its lengthy history, the decision to replace the acclaimed Z06 designation could be yet another example of the seventh-gen Corvette dispensing with tradition for the sake of progress… or, in this case, brand continuity.
Car and Driver also states that the C7 Z07 will be motivated by a V8 displacing less than the 6.2 liters seen in the “base” 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray’s naturally-aspirated LT1 V8. Instead, the publication believes that a twin-turbocharged 4.5 liter eight-banger will power the Z07. And as luck would have it, General Motors may have hinted at the existence of such an engine when it unveiled the (nearly) universally well-received Cadillac Elmiraj concept car at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The boosted eight engine, which could be called LT5 — based on GM trademark filings — is expected to make a whopping 600 horsepower; a potential successor to the ZR1 would make as much as 700 ponies.
Current Z06 owners should take note that an increase in power and performance for the Z07 will likely be accompanied by an increase in price, reportedly catapulting the vehicle into the $100,000 territory — a space currently occupied by the mighty ZR1.
The timetable for the C7 Z07 is a bit murky at the moment — with the official C7 online configuration tool launching on Chevy’s site just yesterday. But a 2015 calendar year launch as a 2016 model doesn’t seem to be too far out of the realm of possibility at the moment.
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ZR1 with KERS or some sort of electric-hybrid boost system. Quote me on it.
You mean like the porsche 918 spyder?
Z07 The name makes me think it will be a seven liter V8. With 556 to 580 Horsepower.
If the Z07 doesn’t match or come close to the power of the outgoing ZR1, than there needs to be a C7 ZR1. Here’s what the lineup should be:
Base: 450hp
Z07: 550-600hp
ZR1: 700+hp
This lineup of power with the new vehicle (which has phenomenal handling) would kill all the competition. The base for 2014, Z07 for 2016, ZR1 2017.
This makes me think GM just might be smarter than we all thought before, I think this makes total sense! The current zo6 doesn’t have forced induction, based on rumors the zo7 does! This is not going to be a replacement car it’s going to be a step up in performance and price in a big way!
I kind of thought this to be coming as many people hinted that it may be a Z07.
The present Z07 with the carbon package is at to just over $100K. I fully expect this to be there.
I also still expect a ZR1 replacement and the name may change there too. GM registered two performance names, one was L88 and I forget the other right now but this was in addition to the LT registration. It gave me the impression we have two more performance engines to come and that is a good indicator of two more Corvettes.
I am mixed on expecting a 7.0 Liter as GM said the last 7.0 Vette was the last 427. But the registration of the name L88 makes one wonder if they changed their minds.
It appears to me that GM tired to increase the hp numbers of the ls7 427 and the cylinder walls are just to thin!
One of the best things about the lsx engines is that they are very reliable and don’t fail very often
The Z07 should NOT be forced induction, The Engineers need to get off their lazy ass and make a 600 Hp naturally aspirated V8 just like AMG, if AMG could do it, so can they!
If you’re talking about the AMG for Mercedes, Do you realize all AMG models are supercharged or twin turbocharged?
The 6.3 in the SLS is naturally aspirated, which has power ranging from 580-625hp depending on options package
Could be they are looking for more than 600 HP?
The old Supercharged engine passed the test for up to 725 HP on reliability runs and emissions. GM never used what all they could have used
This is great news. I really want a C7 but I can’t turn loose of my 2011 Z06 Carbon Special that stickered over $98 grand. Hopefully the new Z07 will match my Z06. This car is like a rocket.
the naturally aspirated 7 liter v8 is what made the z06 special. if the displacement is less than 7 liters w forced induction i would have to say that engine is bullsh*t and fans aren’t gonna be happy.
I agree. I think all this car really needs is an exhaust, intake, and a tune. With DI and variable cam timing, it will be a tuners game. I’m not interested in forced induction, I’m a track guy and cant deal with the heat issues. So far, this is what I have ordered for my C7. Hopefully with exhaust upgrades and a tune I can get to a level that fun again.
C7 Corvette Exhaust Upgrades
I stand corrected. C63 is also naturally aspirated.
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You’re right, because a forced induction TT Nissan GT-R is completely not a track car!… A factory forced induction based platform is much more the “Tuners game”, plain and simple. There is more performance per dollar left on the table with factory boosted cars vs N/A. Terminator Cobra’s, GT-500’s, 335i Bimmers, GT-Rs, etc.. Gains in the 100’s of RWHP for a little over a grand$? I’ll take it!
Turbo’s and a DCT would make the Zo7 dominate nearly anything out there.
Why would GM want to give a high end corvette a smaller engine block than the base model? Wouldn’t they have already given the c7 corvette a smaller than 6.2 liter block already for fuel reasons? well no they didn’t they stuck with the 6.2 liter v8 so it looks like c7 high end corvette models may get the same or a larger displacement. Remember this is an all American muscle car and the saying, there’s no replacement like displacement! If a c8 base corvette ever gets a smaller v8 block then the others, higher end models may follow or might stay bigger but not smaller! they are sold in smaller volumes too. Fuel is not as big of a deal with the higher end models as they might be for the base models.