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Corvette C8 Z06 Could Go Atmospheric, C8 ZR1 Might Go Twin-Turbo

Over the weekend, we covered a rumor that the upcoming mid-engine Corvette C8 Z06 would be powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine doling out 800 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. But now, GM Authority has learned that the C8 Z06 could be naturally aspirated, while the new C8 Corvette ZR1 gets the boosted eight.

6.2L V8 LT2 engine in the 2020 Corvette C8 Stingray

According to our sources familiar with future Chevrolet product plans, the new C8 Corvette Z06 could be powered by a naturally-aspirated V8 engine, just like the standard Corvette C8 Stingray. This means no turbos, no superchargers, and and no hybridization. This stands in stark contrast to previous rumors that the C8 Z06 would get twin-turbos, which would up output considerably over the 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque (when equipped with the optional performance exhaust) of the “base” Stingray C8. But even without turbo-charging, the new C8 Z06 should still make significantly more power and torque over the Stingray.

Meanwhile, the Corvette C8 ZR1 could be the model to receive a twin-turbo V8 engine. The powerplant in question is known internally at GM as the LT7, and is believed to feature 5.5 liters of displacement and a DOHC layout. GM Authority published CAD images of the new lump back in July.

GM LT7 twin-turbo V8 engine

Interestingly, the LT7 won’t be based on GM’s fifth-generation Small Block push-rod engine family, but will instead utilize the same architecture as the twin-turbo 4.2L LTA V8, known colloquially as the Blackwing engine. For reference, the Blackwing LTA powers the Cadillac CT6-V, where it produces 550 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque.

While the upcoming C8 ZR1’s 800 horsepower and 700-pound-feet of torque makes for the most-powerful factory-produced Corvette in history, we’ve previously reported that Chevrolet is also working on a new range-topping Corvette C8 model to slot above the ZR1. That model could potentially be called “Zora,” a name GM trademarked globally in 2018.

But wait, that’s not all. While two of our sources told us that the C8 Corvette Z06 will be powered by a naturally-aspirated engine and that the C8 Corvette ZR1 will cradle a twin-turbo V8 DOHC, another source with a proven track record has told us that these rumors are way off the mark, so it seems that there is much more to this story. Hence, treat all of the above as rumors as we dig deeper to find out what’s really going on.

In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Guys,

    All this Corvette news is awesome….

    Any word on what we are doing with the CT 5? Its been pretty quiet.

    I really need 4 seats.

    Thanks,
    Sean

    Reply
    1. Reply
      1. Thanks!

        I meant info on the horsepower variants..

        If i can get any info whether its gonna be around 600+ i will hold off on the 0% offer on the current CTS V.

        Its driving me crazy!!!

        Cheers,
        Sean

        Reply
        1. Oooh I see. That’s a tricky one, since it seems to be between the 4.2L Blackwing TT and the LT4 from the CTS-V, and very little credible info is available.

          My personal bet is on the LT4, based on the fact that production output of the Blackwing is way too low to supply the CT5-V. Granted, that might change by the time the CT5-V is ready, but my money is on the LT4.

          Reply
          1. Thanks Alex!!!

            I am probably going to wait for the new Cadillac.

            I miss the supercharger to be honest!!

            Reply
  2. One just never knows of how future cars may be configured as C7 Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter said he knew nothing of a mid-engine Corvette which means people will blow smoke and nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes.

    Reply
    1. That’s what Benjamin Franklin said only three things in life are certain. Death, Taxes, and software updates.

      Reply
  3. Who said there would be a Z anything. They could go with new codes as this is a totally new car.

    I would just wait till there is more info as these folks are just guessing. We all know more power is coming and we know it will be more than what we have now. 800 is a pretty safe guess and a TT DOHC is a given.

    We also know they were working on a flat crank and it would go production I’d the can get it smooth enough. That cane from Tadge himself.

    This car is just starting out and we have a lot of packages, bigger brakes lighter body parts and more tricks to come. Sit back and just enjoy the ride.

    Reply
  4. The Z06 is not going to be released for another ~2 years, so we’re going to be seeing dozens of these speculative posts for another ~730 days. When we get solid info. on the engine, output and price, I will be getting ready to add one to my stable. Until then, all of this hearsay doesn’t mean much.

    Reply
  5. That said I am not a fan of DOHC engines,they struggle to make torque.The power is all up in the high rpm range.Take the Slowstang for instance,any version(5.0 or 5.2L) seems to make only 420 ft.ibs. of torque while the HP shows good numbers.The LT1&LT2 pushrod engines show consistent HP&TQ levels through the rpm band which I have always found to be superior.In the case of a racecar that is wound up for hours I can see the draw of a DOHC engine but as for the street I believe that a pushrod engine is king.If I was in charge of the C8 design team it would get a supercharged or twin turbo 7.0L LS or LT version pushrod engine.I remember reading that the last C7 Z06 was supposed to get it and it made 900+HP but failed emissions testing and they went with the 6.2L instead.Get it to pass emissions with some fine tuning and it will be awesome!Hennessey made 1000HP with an Exorcist ZL1 Camaro,just imagine a 7.0L C8 on steroids.

    Reply
  6. Also GM rarely uses new names and codes.See the all new Blazer,errrrrrr Camaro SUV.

    Reply
    1. Unblazer, underpowered v6, mini wagon, just my opinion.

      Reply
  7. Bring on the ZO6 in two years then role on into my garage.

    Reply
  8. The NA ZO6 rumor is bunk. All upcoming DOHC V8s will be twin turbo. Listen to the C8.R for a taste of what they will be like.

    The C7 V8s would have been turbo if they could have packaged them. It’s one of the primary reasons for moving the engine back where it belongs in a sports car.

    Reply

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