New information has reached the internet surrounding the all-but-confirmed mid-engine Corvette. The news comes from a leaked IHS Markit analysis report, which a Corvette Forum user published on Tuesday.
The document details three distinct V8 engines for production at General Motors’ Tonawanda powertrain facility in New York that are said to power two models: Y1BC (that’s the current C7 Corvette) and Y2BC. The latter Y2BC vehicle is particularly interesting, since here’s what it stands for:
- The Y refers to Corvette platforms
- The 2 following the Y stands for the second generation of the architecture, in this case being the mid-engine car
- The B stands for coupe or sports car body style
- The C stands for brand getting the vehicle, in this case Chevrolet
The document states that three engines are planned for Y2BC, or the future Corvette C8 mid-engine model. First is a 6.2-liter V8 engine, likely the LT1. The second is a 4.2-liter DOHC V8 engine, and finally, a 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine is mentioned. The market forecast has the majority of volume going to the 6.2L V8 with 14,000 units produced annually from 2019 to 2021. Since the C7 Corvette variants also utilize the engine, we can assume the C7 Corvette will stick around until at least the 2021 model year.
Photo: Josh Busenbark via “Woodward” Facebook group.
The reports shows much smaller production outputs for the other two DOHC engines. The 4.2-liter DOHC V8 receives an average of 7,000 unit annual production rate while the 5.5-liter DOHC V8 receives a 5,000 average yearly production rate. With smaller production levels, both engines will likely achieve higher outputs than the 6.2L V8 and be reserved for higher-performance variants of the mid-engine Corvette.
Also noted in the report are the 4.2-liter V8’s twin turbochargers and specific Cadillac use aside from the C8 Corvette, or Y2BC. We know Cadillac has a DOHC V8 in the works (more info on the twin turbo Cadillac V-8 DOHC engine), so this isn’t much of a surprise. What is a surprise, however, is the mention of “Cadillac Sports Car” in the market analysis. Although the report does not mention year-by-year production counts for an engine, the sports car is listed as having an “average production per year” of 300 units. It could mean a Cadillac sports car is on the table but hasn’t been given a green light just yet.
The report certainly helps fill in a few blanks surrounding the Corvette’s future and it seems more likely than ever the C7 and C8 Corvettes will live on side-by-side for a few years. Though, it does pose even more questions surrounding the car’s launch cadence. If the report’s timeline proves true, the new engines are slated for production in 2019, which would line up with previous reports of a 2019 on-sale date for the mid-engine Corvette. Thus, 2018 could be a suspenseful year.
Useful Links
- Future Corvette information
- Midengine Corvette information
- Corvette sales numbers
- Potential info about GM engines for C8:
- LT2 engine info
- LT3 engine info
- LT6 engine info
- LT7 engine info
Comments
These C7 corvette will be around for two more years that’s it. C8 corvette mid-engine, 4.2-liter TT V8 engine DOHC, 5.5-liter V8 TT DOHC engine, it will have hybrid drivetrain system and these base will started of with these 6.2 liter v8 engine. Cadillac’s flagship/supercar will have a all electric drivetrain, like all of Cadillac models going forward.
Sorry but wrong
It will have a 700 hp quad turbo 2.0L in-line 4
That is impossible! The best inline-4 engine was the Quad-4 in the Oldsmobile Aerotech that holds the world’s speed record in a circular track for a 4-cylinder engine, driven by A.J. Foyt. It didn’t have over 400 HP.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Aerotech
Ray this is sarcasm……….
But the truth is much more power has been found from a 4 cylinder.
https://www.thecarconnection.com/tips-article/1004325_gm-prods-ecotec-to-1000-hp
Later on John Lingenfelter was getting 1500 HP from a Eco,
Also there have been many to get over 1000 Hp from a Indy Offy 4 cylinder on Nitro. They would lower the power to get 500 miles out of it. Most ran around 750 HP at that trim.
Turbo 6’s are the new NA 8’s and turbo 4’s are the new NA 6’s. I bit the bullet and have both v6 and I4 turbo. The I4 makes as much power, with less noise, less weight and better front-rear balance. It doesn’t sound as good, and power isn’t there below 2k, but you learn to change your style… Can’t fight progress forever, and a vette with a 4 wouldn’t be the end of the world. It’s about performance, not numbers. The Ford GT is a legit *race car*, powered solely by an ecoboost 6 that would crush most 8s out there. 718S with a 2.5 H4 outran the new corvette GS on motor trend’s drag race. It has <1/2 the vette's displacement.
While today we have quality turbo 4 cylinders and V6 engines they are not what a Corvette is all about.
I owned a 300 HP turbo 4 and it was a blast to drive. But with that said it makes a nice option in the Camaro but not a Vette.
Might note even in the Camaro sales for the Turbo is very low. I would imagine the take rate in the Vette would be very flat.
As long as GM has a V8 I expect the Vette to offer the V8 and soon a Turbo V8.
We may see a V6 some day but I think they would just full electric before a 4 cylinder.
FYI my Turbo had 23 pounds of boost and was a blast to drive but with fwd it sucks and you can never get the better sound of a V 8 from a 4 cylinder.
Really! I just witness this Fall an SVO produce 460-WHP and it only has one OHC.
700hp 4? Still not as exciting as the next Hybrid Jaguar with turbines!!!!!
Speaking of Jaguar, they’ve been busy!
Jaguar sets fastest lap by saloon around Nürburgring piloted by Vincent Radermecker. Just 5.19 seconds behind the mighty ZL1 1LE
https://newatlas.com/jaguar-xe-sv-project-8-nurburgring/52398/
I think we will find the C7 will live on as a Roadster and ZR1 for a couple years. Take a gander at the mules and now have been a convertible. The roadster counts as a large part of the volume and even a Targa can not replace it.
The extra time will give them time to finish a proper mid engine roadster and then bring it to market.
Note the ZR1 Convertible this time around is a good sign this will happen.
A Cadillac is still some years off. Cadillac has so much on their plate now that they will need time to do a proper car. Also they have more concern selling a sedan and CUV than they do 300 non profit cars right now. You have to eat your supper to get Cake.
To this point have we any proof the Mid Engine is even able to be a Targa? many of the mid engines today are coupe or roadster with no Targa anymore.
JDN has said he would have interest in a Sports Car but it is not feasible till 2025. That is a good indication they have not done much if any work on such a project at this point.
General Motors current family of engines are capable of generating 125-130 horsepower per liter of displacement meaning the base C8 Corvette will feature possibly 525 horsepower from a twin-turbo 4.2L DOHC-4v V8, 708-710 hp from the twin-turbo 5.5L DOHC-4v V8 and the top tier motor being 755 hp from the LT5 supercharged 6.2L OHV-2v V8.
Power is not an issue. GM can make over 1000 HP with their engines. Tuners. already offer them.
The problem is MPG and Emissions.
The other issue is putting all the power to the ground. Big numbers under the hood mean little if they do not equal the results.
Time will tell but the present 755 HP is just a temporary pause till the new car and s higher end offering.
Also don’t forget the added torque and flat curve a turbo will deliver.
General Motors has demonstrated they can build a zero emissions all electric vehicle and plug-in hybrids, GM also has worked with companies to developed fuel cell technology meaning Chevrolet’s C8 Corvette could have been an all-electric or a Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle with the reason for why it didn’t happen is because there’s no infrastructure to support such a vehicle.
Every country who have said they will only sell zero emission vehicles in 2025 or 2030 need to begin building infrastructure as they need to make recharging a car’s battery or buying Hydrogen as easy as it is to buy gas or diesel.
With the Corvette it is not infrastructure. Though they do need to build more for the coming 23 EV Cars they have planned.
With the Corvette much of the experience is about the sound of the car, the changing of gears. Sure there is room for EV performance but the Corvette owners are about all the senses.
Also the racing program needs gas as batteries are not going to cut it at a The 24 at Daytona, 24 at Lemans Ns the 12 hours at Sebring.
Finally Hydrogen is not ready yet. Still too expensive and too long to fill for most drivers in too few locations.
I love The fuel cell idea as I have driven one and it was great but more work is needed and again not a priority for most sports car owners.
If a EV sports car is done Cadillac with little sports car heritage or following would be a good place to start.
Chevrolet Camaro will see a new 2.7-liter Turbocharger four cylinder engine coming.
Scott 3, do you see these C8 ME corvette getting a six cylinder engine ?
It may happen at some point but as long as GM is making a V8 it will remain a V8.
Follow the trucks as they are the key to a V8. They hold the volume to keep it viable.
It could be an option at some point with a Tubo but no time soon.
As long as the corvette and the camaro keep getting faster then I am kool with this direction.
The caddy Mid Engine has been a question we keep discussing with car people social circles. Would not make sense to have a C7 line of cars with front engine up to ZR1 and then a competing car with same name in different configuration. But a caddy sports car produced at same plant using similar parts, but then after so many years phase out front engine platform to have mid engine corvette.
It makes sense when over 50% of all Corvettes sold are roadsters and the Mid Engine appears first as a Coupe.
The logic is you can’t kill the roadster till the mid engine roadster is ready. As of now the new C8 mules have never been seen as a roadster and the roof does not appear to be a targa.
Cadillac is still more worried about establishing their base vehicles the sedan and the SUV that it needs to move forward. Till they get that right a sports car will just be a drain on man power and funds needed else where.
Also note is the next time Cadillac does a sports car they have to get it right as with two major failures already it will only get tougher to gain the customers trust to spend six figures on a car that may fall to $30K in 2 years.
Reg; ” C7 and C8 Corvettes will live on side-by-side for a few years._ _ Duh! Been saying that on this blog for the past year or so.
The ‘C’ type has to continue on as long as GM builds a sportscar. And the Mid-engine Corvette won’t go by the nomenclature ‘C8’. It is a whole new animal/type and will likely have a its own nomenclature as the traditional Front-mid-engine Corvette will continue to be built.
300 units for the DOHC V8 is probably for the Mid-engine vehicle as that is all the GM probably, with common sense, will build. The business model for mid-engine type doesn’t support more then that number unless the price point is unprofitably low, not that GM plans to make any money on it.
I would be very surprised if the base unit price is below $200K.
And a swing and a miss………….lol!
I may save this on to a word document and repost it during the Detroit auto Show. No othe comments will be needed to make the point about clueless.
Just exactly why does a mid engine car have to be priced at $200k? What rational do you have that backs that up?
I wager the mid engin base will be in the $70k range and will only go up with the high end models like a ZR type model that is now being reported to be around 850 HP.
Save your response repost, Scott we will see who is clueless.
Reg; “why does a mid engine car have to be priced at $200k? _ It doesn’t, could be higher. It is pretty obvious that you don’t understand development costs, and minimal sales numbers. Just look at what other Mid-engine cars cost and how few they sell. Is GM exempt from the reality of product development and production costs and the market.
There are Two Types of People in this World.
No. 1 _ Those Who Can Extrapolate from Incomplete Data
Save your wager, Scott, you probably need it.
Regards.
By the way, I don’t do ‘Thumbs Down’ votes, those are for the lame and intellectually challenged.
You are funny.
I understand the cost so much more than you think. I am one of the few on here that explain why some cars just do not happen.
The development cost of this car over a new front engine is no where greater as you think.
The engines will be shared again. The trans let’s internals like the present will be shared. The car already has electric power steering.
The only real added cost will be for some of the things that need to be extended do to spacing or upgrades in materials. Things such as new radiators and gas tanks but a new rew would have seen the same cost.
Brakes will be similar or carry overs.
The reality is the new car will go up just a bit but will still be under 100k in base form and would not be surprising to be in at the 70k range.
I so expect a high end model to comein at $150k to 180k depending on their carbon content.
Tre we like you as you post make many of the rest of us look good.
Chevy has no plans to abandon the entry segment for these cars.
The only limiting factor on the new car will be the temporary lack of a roadster. Once it arrives the will be back to normal volumes.
The Corvette will still be the bargain supercar of the world.
$70k Base for C8 ME corvette. It was figured long time ago that these C7 would be around for a few more years, until they get these c8 in order.
How much longer do you think the horsepower wars will continue? This is not at a tuner level of high performance, this is a manufacture level at a point we have never seen!
I hope it never ends and there are 1000 hp factory cars, but at some point they will end!
Base :: Manta ray ME: LT2 NA V8 6.2 liter engine (DI/PI) 500+Hp/500+Torque, ZR1 ME :LT6 DOHC V8 5.5 liter TT engine (DI/PI) 600+hp/600+ torque, Zora ME: 4.2-liter TT v8 engine (DI/PI) DOHC + Hybrid system 850+HP/750+ torque,( E-AWD system).
Scott3 think they will use a DCT Transaxle from tremec ?
Too soon to make the call.
We do know they looked at AWD in the ZR1 per Tadge’s latest Interview. He said it was looked at but there was no room for the drive shaft and not enough room for it to be run off the front of the engine.
This
Dads me to believe the Mid Engine is getting it in some form but just what system? Cost will be a factor as they will work to keep the price down but they will not accept less performance.
Note the ZR1 will be a sub 2.8 second car. We know this due to Tadge saying the car is faster in all aspects than the AWD Cerv2 that did 2.8 seconds zero to sixty.
History tends to repeat itself. The Cadillac XLR was introduced 2 years before the Corvette C6 on which it was based. It was launched a few years after the Cadillac IMSA racing program was started. The new Cadillac racing program was started a few years ago. Now we will get the Cadillac Sports Car as a 2020 model. The Corvette C8 version will be out in 2022. As I stated at the outset; history tends to repeat itself.