The mid-engine Corvette is coming, and Car and Driver once again has juicy details on what we may see from the most radical Corvette in decades.
The publication reported that the mid-engine C8 Corvette will indeed multiple powertrains, but not exactly the ones we’ve reported on in the past. Instead, the sports car turned supercar will begin with an upgraded 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine that will allegedly make 500 horsepower. We’ve suspected the LT1 will live on for some time.
However, things get interesting quickly. The C8 Corvette will also reportedly include a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter DOHC flat-crank V8 engine good for 600 hp. Then, a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 will join the fray shortly thereafter. Said engine is rumored to make 800 hp with two turbos attached.
Finally, sitting atop the engine hierarchy will be the long-rumored hybrid variant. Said Corvette’s powertrain will begin with the twin-turbo V8 engine, but a 200-hp electric motor will reside in the “frunk,” or front trunk. The electric motor will power the front wheels, while the mid-mounted V8 will send power to the rear wheels to provide all-wheel drive. Said variant won’t arrive for a few years after the car’s original introduction, however.
That’s not all C&D had to spill about the mid-engine Corvette. Allegedly, the C8 Corvette will do away with the manual transmission in favor of one gearbox option: a new Tremec eight-speed dual-clutch unit.
Though that’s sour news, Chevrolet and General Motors have reportedly worked to keep the mid-engine Corvette quite attainable. Thus, the architecture will largely sport aluminum with a mix of magnesium and carbon fiber. Body panels will be made of fiberglass, and the final curb weight should hover around 3,500 pounds.
With four model years recommended for purchase.
This example is a former NCRS award winner.
Many automakers oppose right-to-repair laws citing cybersecurity concerns.
Breaking out the spec sheets for a comparison.
Plus, a nationwide lease on all-electric off-road Pickup and SUV.
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Wow wow wow, wonder how the naming will go will the AWD vette be the ZR1 and will the 800 hp be the Z06?
Will the “base” vette or the hybrid vette be the Zora?
Zora
Grand Sport
Z06
ZR1
Lastly..... when is this beast scheduled to be unveiled? Detroit?
Hybrid AWD might get something like ZXE for a name
GM Trademarked "E-Ray" which is a somewhat clever name compared to using "hybrid" or "E-assist"...
oh right, forgot about E-Ray
The "Electric Ray" is a real existing creature, capable of giving any human a mortal shock:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_ray
Car and Driver did not break this as this has been posted here about a year or so ago and several times since.
Look at my post as I stated that a Corvette engineer was quotes as saying that they were testing over 1,000 HP on the Corvette and would only use as much as they could put to the ground.
The same for the Hybrid AWD as the same leak stated a possible Hybrid system. Also the intro of the ZR1 Chevys stated clearly they had looked into AWD on the C7 but could not fit it in. This was a clear indication AWD would be a part of the new car.
Hybrid mule C7 models have also been reported at this obscure web forum.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/01/c7-corvette-frame-spotted-at-gm-battery-lab-fuels-hybrid-corvette-rumors/
E Ray name has been registered too. It may be the new systems name.
Some folks will be shocked at what is yet to come. The Easter Eggs have been all around and if you have been paying attention you would not be shocked by this post.
Where are all the "its a Cadillac people now LOL!"
While not cheap the 1000 will be cheaper than anyone else with that much. Much cheaper.
GM should call this car the Exorcist as it will cast the Demon and Hell Cat out.
not sure how any of this is "sour" news. This is actually pretty awesome. Would love to see that 600hp 5.5L N/A work its way into a Z/28 Camaro. Now that would be good news! Honestly I like corvettes but Camaros are really where its at. GM is on a serious roll right now. It'd be better if they brought some more of Holden's HSV vehicles up here but GM is doing a good job. Between GM and Mopar, we really don't need a third Brand. (get lost Ford!)
All mid-lifers rejoice!!!
If the rumors hold, that will be one awesome car!
I do hope GM spreads the love to a few vehicles with more than 2 seats, too (maybe a V-series Cadillac?)
Caddy defiantly needs AWD and Hybrid engine to their cars. New Mercedes E AMG and new BMW M5 are AWD now. New Mercedes E53 is mild hybrid. I think new CT5-V will follow them. Putting this C8 drivetrain to CT5-V will be an awesome idea. Just can image how crazy that current 640hp CTS-V to future 800hp CT5-V.
Getting rid of a manual in a Corvette is a HUGE mistake. Hopefully this is not accurate news.
A dual clutch automatic misses the fun factor mark.
Save the manual!
I second that.
Reported right here on GMA that nearly 80% of all Vettes are auto...
There not rumors.
Disapointing yes but the loss of the manual will not kill the car.
Let’s face it Ferrari never saw an issue losing the gated shifter. You do not get more traditional than that. Yet they sell all they can build and offer the most powerful and fastest cars the ever made by them.
Losing the manual is not a bad thing if having a automatic transmission makes for a faster Corvette! You buy a Corvette to drive it fast, if the auto version is superior to the manual in terms of performance then that's the way to go. People that belly ache about not having a clutch pedal to push need to get over themselves.
This car should be about performance only! What makes it go faster should be the focus!
I think people should be buying a sports car for an engaging dynamic. If you just want to cruise or you rode traffic frequently, then an automatic makes perfect sense.
The only place you'll care a dual clutch shifts faster is a track, and even then most amateur track day goers are not pushing the limit and have 25 other factors slowing them down.
No driver merging onto the highway is going to say "watch my auto trans shift 1/10th faster than a manual"
Then why do people who own sports cars post their time slips from the track, or tell people how fast their car is!
If you like losing then go ahead and find a car with a manual but if you like coming in first then the automatic is the way to go.
I guess this explains why we now give kids participation trophies. Those kids eventually became adults and I wonder if this guy was one of them?
Who are you trying to be Ricky Bobby? Calm down shake N bake
Did you notice I mentioned track days? And of the 40,000 Corvettes sold each year, the 20,000 Porsche car sales, the 10,000 MX5, the you get the point, how many of those cars end up on the track?
I'm not doubting the auto is faster. I know it is. But any true purist will be disappointed about no manual.
There are some fans and customers who are loyal manual although DCT and multi automatic have proven having better performance than manual. Looking on Porsche, they did plan that high level 911s been DCT only until they realize sales is most important, so they bring back manual only on 911 GT3. For GM and fans, it is logical to keep version of manual in Corvette.
C7 ZR1 are setting records with a automatic transmission.