GM Confirms Two More High-Performance Corvette Variants
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The C8 Corvette Stingray, C8 Corvette Z06, and upcoming C8 Corvette E-Ray are only the beginning when it comes to the eighth-gen Chevy Corvette C8, with The General currently developing several other Corvette variants, per previous GM Authority coverage. Now, GM President Mark Reuss has confirmed that the automaker is cooking up two new high-performance models, namely the C8 Corvette ZR1 and C8 Corvette Zora.
During the recent GM Investor Day event held last week, Reuss discussed two upcoming high-performance Corvette model variants, and although he declined to specifically name the new models, he did provide some interesting insights to help build hype.
With regard to the upcoming C8 Corvette ZR1, Reuss said that “as C8 was designed as an early architecture, we keep stepping it up, so this will again set the standard of the world for performance for Chevrolet, and I couldn’t be more excited for that.”
For those readers who may be unaware, the C8 Corvette ZR1 is set to be a highly capable all-round performer offering ultra-high-performance for both the road and the track. Making this possible will be the new twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine, which will arrive as a boosted variant of the 5.5L V8 LT6 that motivates to current C8 Corvette Z06. Output from the new ZR1 is expected to peak at 850 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. A pallet carrying the LT7 name recently foreshadowed the development of the new twin-turbocharged engine, as GM Authority covered previously.
Meanwhile, with regard to the upcoming C8 Corvette Zora, Reuss teased that “the next version of the C8 at the very top of the line [would be] something you won’t be able to imagine from a performance standpoint,” adding, “we’ll put the world on notice with this car, it’s our platform of excellence.”
The C8 Corvette Zora will stand out thanks to its twin-turbo, hybrid V8 powerplant and all-wheel-drive system, similar to the forthcoming C8 Corvette E-Ray. Output from the Zora, however, is expected to surpass 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque.
Stay tuned as we continue to cover everything you need to know about these two high-performance Corvette variants, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Exactly, that is what my previous comments about GM BS!!! They will sell C8 no matter what because we as consumers allow it. Same as professional sports where cry babies continue to earn millions for beating their wife’s. It’s because fan continue to pay high ticket prices. It will never stop as long as will give in.
GM techs are certified under their umbrella of cars, depends on the brand you choose, some techs move to other brands and still certify under their old brand ($$). So GM…..funny…..I remember long ago corvette split from GM because they were limited by GM in what they could do with the cars (performance vs insurance etc.)…. So to me it is all bullsh!t that GM is up charging people because they were holding the corvette back years of potential sales. My 4th camaro ss was rated “best bang for the buck” 320HP 350TQ for $31000….the new camaros are $15,000 more for an additional 150HP…….for $3000 I can get more than 150HP added to my current camaro….without the $800/month payment….I don’t need interior lighting, touchscreen 10 spd auto transmission…..I bought a dam muscle car to rip through gears like a pure hearted American should!!!! Bring back the real Chevys, ones that were affordable and quality made for the working person….like Mr Chevrolet promoted when Chevy became a car manufacturer.
Looks like you have precisely what you want. There is a thriving pre-owned market out there for like minded individuals. I have only bought two new cars in the last 50 years; a 2004 Prius and a 2021 C8. I still have the Prius as my daily with 210k miles. The C8 is a retirement toy to myself. As long as parts are available, it is always costs less to maintain or update what you have.
In 1979 I ordered a new Corvette from the factory – and have modified it extensively. I told the dealer that I’d be back to buy another one when the fenders rusted off. Well, they never did and I got tired of waiting. So I’m on a wait list to get a C8 Z06 for my one last, final “special” car. BUT if they build a turbocharged C8 ZR1, I’m a buyer! If neither happens, my other cars are sufficiently entertaining. I also own a modified 1987 Grand National and modified 1989 Pontiac 20th Anniversary V6 turbo Trans Am Indy Pace Car. However with a C8 ZR1, I’d be known as “triple-turbo” Bob. I don’t plan to modify the Z06 or ZR1. Just get a 10 year warranty…
Camaro prices adjusted for inflation aren’t much different from the 80s and 90s. Difference is you could not buy a 650 hp Camaro at any price back then. Now you can buy a four cylinder Camaro that can smoke an 80s V8 Camaro, especially on a twisty road course, and use less fuel. It’s also FAR safer in an accident.
Cars today are far superior to any of the junk GM made in the 80s. Expand your view and you can even buy a Honda, Hyundai, or VW hot hatch that can smoke that 80s garbage. We are in a golden era of performance yet some boomers do nothing but complain! Here’s the truth: cars are better but you’re older and not everything works like it should. As a result you miss the “good old days.” Sure, because when you’re young everything is betting, especially making love in the back seat!
Every one that thinks that these automakers are doing you any kind of a huge favor by building you this self serving crap is sadly mistaken… there whole goal is to make everything they build so complex and complicated that you are forced into going to a dealer and having it repaired or in many cases trading it off for a new one… So I ask this question.. What’s the difference in selling you a car that you cannot really call your own, because it takes you and the dealer to own it together, and PRICE FIXING, which is illegal..
Will GM continue to build cars with gas engine beyond 2034?
I’m not buying 850 ft lbs torque for zr1 with TT. No way. Car will still be a beast
850 lb ft is indeed possible in a twin turbo 5.5L V8. Recall what tuner shops have been doing with turbocharged Buick Grand National 3.8L V6s since the late 1980s. Some 8 second 1/4 mile GNs are out there with full interior – and are still street drive-able. Turbocharged engines produce a LOT of torque. Turbocharging is where it’s at… Not sure what my HP and torque numbers are, but my full body GN ran 7.0 @ 100 mph in the 1/8th mile – beating new supercharged C7 Z06 cars that were 0.5 seconds behind. Takes a lot of torque to do that.