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All Future Corvette C8 Variants Will Feature Forced Induction

Despite the inevitable transformation of the Chevy Corvette nameplate into an all-electric performance vehicle, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in burning gasoline with a Crossed Flags badge on the nose. The mid-engine C8 Corvette is proof positive of that, with models like the C8 Corvette Stingray, C8 Corvette Z06, and C8 Corvette E-Ray all touting naturally aspirated V8 powerplants. But, as they say, more is better, and that includes more gasoline burned in the name of performance, and as such, all future Corvette C8 variants will feature forced induction.

A GM Authority rendering of the future Corvette ZR1

GM Authority rendering of the future Corvette ZR1

First, a quick recap of what’s out there right now. The first C8 Corvette model variant out the gates was the C8 Stingray, which dropped cover for the 2020 model year with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine behind the cabin. Output is rated at a maximum of 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, or 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque with the optional performance exhaust system.

Next was the C8 Z06, which cradles the high-revving naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT5 gasoline engine, producing a maximum of 670 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque right out of the box.

C8 Corvette E-Ray

The latest mid-engine Corvette to drop cover is the C8 E-Ray, which also makes history as not only the first production-spec Vette with all-wheel drive, but also the the first production-spec Vette with a hybrid powertrain. Specs include the same 6.2L V8 LT2 as the C8 Stingray, plus a front-mounted electric motor, the combination of which doles out 655 horsepower.

Now, with these three C8 variants out of the bag, it looks as though all future Corvette C8 variants will feature forced induction. The first of these will be the new C8 ZR1, which, as GM Authority has covered on several occasions, will cradle the new 5.5L V8 LT7. The LT7 is essentially a turbocharged variant of the 5.5L V8 LT6 that powers the C8 Z06, and, with a healthy dollop of boost on board, should make significantly more power than the 670-pony Z06.

C8 Corvette ZR1 prototype testing at the Nurburgring

While the ZR1 will be impressive, the C8 Zora that follows will reign as the top dog in the future Corvette lineup. Making that a reality will be a hybridized version of the ZR1’s LT7, mating forced induction and the E-Ray’s performance hybrid system into a single, pavement-scorching package.

To note, when we say “future Corvette variants,” we mean specific model lines, and not special edition models. It’s also worth mentioning that this all could change it GM decides to offer a Grand Sport model, but for the moment, the E-Ray currently serves as the “Grand Sport” of the current C8 lineup.

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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. They can’t even meet demand now for the three C8 corvettes and want to add 2 more!Rediculous and going full electric will kill the Corvettes as we know it 🥵

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    1. I agree with you adding 2 more models only causes more delays. My dealer said you can now order a C8 and get it in two months. Their allocation for the Z06 is being delivered however personal orders for the Z06 are still out a year. A lot of customers switched from the Z06 to the E-Ray which is now in more demand than the Z06. That said, they were told by the factory that the 2024 production run for the E-Ray will be less than 2000. If that is true, it just demonstrates they can’t meet demand on 3 models let alone 4 followed by 5. Very disappointing.

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  2. Regular Stingrays starting to be ordered for dealer stock on lots. 5 year run of MSRP or or more is ending per article on Corvetteblogger yesterday. All electric corvette, huh? Watch demand and sales fall off a cliff in the future. Need balance of ICE and EV and customers making the decision in the future and responsible use of all energy sources.

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  3. Looking forward to LT 7. Turbos on overhead cam engine, excellent.

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  4. Since when has logic and common sense gotten much consideration in GM Marketing meetings??

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  5. The 5.5L twin turbo engine has been around since at least 2020 when it was at a metro Detroit supplier’s lab for testing. Can’t wait to see how much horsepower this baby makes.

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  6. OK, off point here but curious:

    Para 3 : “Next was the C8 Z06, which cradles the high-revving naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT5”

    Para 5: “The LT7 is essentially a turbocharged variant of the 5.5L V8 LT6 that powers the C8 Z06”,

    So is the current 5,5L the LT5 or LT6?

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    1. LT6

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  7. I’ve had a Zora on order for 2 1/2 years thru Stanford Chevrolet in Dearborn Michigan. Currently ride is 2009 ZR1 that I bought new. It’s my everyday driver in Florida. We’ll see if I get it.

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    1. I had a deposit on a Z06 fir over 2.5 years and dealer couldn’t tell me when I can place an order so I cancelled and had my deposit returned. I went to another dealer and placed a deposit 6 months ago on a E-Ray and Zora. The dealer told me I wouldn’t be able to order the E-Ray until 2025. I am 73 owned a lot of exotic sports cars but never a Corvette. I am looking forward to another first. Good luck with getting your Zora.

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      1. The waiting game can be challenging ! My suggestion , search your region for a car and go get it. I have been on a list for almost 2 year for a Z06. I found several interesting cars and called on them. Drove several hundred miles looking and talking to dealers . I made a deal in a new Z06 that have almost everything I wanted. Bought it a month ago. I’m still on the other list to order one. I’ll sell this one and order exactly what I want then.

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    2. A ZORA? Did you mean a Z06?

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      1. Z06, there is a better chance of finding a Z06 now and keep your place inline for a Zora. You’ll have a car for the summer. To enjoy. Then trade or sell the car. There were only a few options I had to have before I would buy.

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  8. I think a lot of people are mis-informed about who is calling the shots regarding future vehicle technology (long term). It’s not the consumer or the manufacturer. Currently we have an administration that is unnecessarily (!) tightening emission regulation to deliberately ban the sale of internal combustion engines. Last week the administration announced that it wants to move up their schedule. If you’re a car guy and want to continue to be able to buy whatever transportation technology you prefer, you’d better know how to vote in November. The other guy says: “buy whatever you like” – just like in a FREE country. The current administrations stated goal is to change the weather. No amount of electric cars on the road is going to change that.

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    1. Thank you very much !

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    2. SERIOUSLY? Your’re gonna blame Biden because GM is making questionable decisions???
      The president of Toyota himself warned Mary Barra not to go all in on electric, way too soon, infrastructure not there, battery tech not ready for the range people want. People are not going to pay more and get less for ANY product except niche markets. If GM put money into “affordable for the masses” electric vehicles then those large volume sales would offset emission protocols for great ICE based vehicles for entusiasts and those who just prefer them. GM is “calling the shots” with regards to HOW they meet corporate emission standards. They were (are?J are just a bit shortsighted when they saw Tesla selling millions of vehicles and they just went all in way too fast rather than gradual market penetration and balance of products that people really want.
      BTW my 70 chevelle big block got maybe 12 MPG on trips while my C8 gets between 26 and 28. Not sure that would be the case had the government not mandated better fuel mileage and lower emissions over the years. Vote for whoever you want to but don’t blame bad corporate decisions on politicians – that just gives them an out when they fail!

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      1. Yes I will blame the current administration for unnecessarily tightening emission regulations to either push industry into electric propulsion – or make nothing at all. Consumers have spoken in the past few years and most don’t want to replace their affordable, holistically superior ICEs with expensive short range battery cars. Corporations don’t want battery cars stacking up in inventory. Ford doesn’t want to lose any more than the $4.5B they lost last year on battery cars. So why not let consumers buy what they want – like in a FREE country?

        Note that C5s had reasonable emissions and got better fuel economy than C8s. For the past 25 years CO2 has fallen because fuel injected ICE technology became commonplace on the road. Engineers know that good fuel control keeps emissions low AND improves performance! Consequently, the FREE MARKET would have demanded EFI even without government “help”. Given that nobody is dropping dead in the streets, and the curve is downward for emissions, when is enough emission regulation – enough? If we let government power dictate without any pushback, the model for society and personal transportation fits China pretty well. You’ll find yourself getting around town on the back of a co-op flatbed. The government is on the path to outlaw your big block Chevelle too. After all, that car makes “emissions”. Can’t car enthusiasts and freedom minded people see that? … and know how to vote? The other guy says “buy whatever you like – EV or ICE”.

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        1. Customers are buying what they want and will always do so and your still screaming the sky is falling?
          Our democracy has always gone back and forth with regulations based on the party in power at the time with new ones continually being instituted and previous ones being repealed or relaxed. And it’s worked pretty well to average things out while progressing at the same time.
          Paraphrasing Churchill: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others”. I,myself, would prefer to stick with democracy.

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          1. First of all the US is a Constitutionally limited form of government, not a democracy. The word democracy does not appear in the Constitution or Declaration. So save the Churchill quotes. We democratically elect representatives and that’s all the democracy you get. Next, you’ll be citing Mao who said that all power derives from the barrel of a gun. Second, these are not liberals. The hard left behind Biden is in charge and it’s coming for your rights. Biden just a week ago told his EPA to force 67% electric content into cars in just 8 years from now – because most consumers are not voluntarily buying them. Keep up with current news from a good news source and you won’t have to argue with people so much. You could also use a lesson in civics so I don’t have to straighten you out on that too. We have pretty lousy schools these days.

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      2. The EV movement wants everyone to believe how much more our planet benefits over the use of ICE or fossil fuel vehicles however what they’re not telling all of us is how the chemicals used for the mining for lithium batteries are contaminating our water supplies, and let’s not forget when the lithium batteries lifespan is over and where these used batteries are stored. They have NO plan on there disposal and as of this very moment they’re being dumped in our landfills leaching out all of the batteries contaminants into our ground water which NO study has been conducted on their effects on us and our environment. So I ask you which is worse on us and our environment fossil fuels or EV’s? Food for thought!

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        1. You must be mistake , we are the only ones in general trying to save the plant . We have to do the EV now ! lol
          It’s all a sales pitch from a group of people that have an agenda. It’s not about cleaning anything up , it’s about money. And control.
          Let’s just do away with cars , and walk to work.
          Enjoy it while we can ,

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  9. I don’t understand it when people drop off of the Z06 list. But thank you anyway. I have been on a list to order a Z06 for 2 years with a $2000 deposit. It’s refundable. How much interest is lost over a 3 or 4 year period? Not much compared to the cost of the car. Looks like it will take another 18 months to get my turn. So I bought a regular Stingray and will trade it in whenever the time comes. I am also on a ZR1 list. Given an opportunity I will order a Z06 orZR1 – whichever comes first.

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  10. I have always loved Corvettes most of my 66 + years. But unfortunately will never be able to afford one. Of it could afford one it surely won’t be electric! Vote the Dems out and stop the insanity!

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    1. There is always the used car market. I plan on getting a lightly used C6 Z06. The last truly great Z06

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      1. I guess my point is that there won’t “always” be anything ICE unless Americans today resist unnecessarily heavy handed government regulation and control of what manufacturers and make and what we can buy. Voting is the way we do that.

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  11. Well the Turbo deal is just something that was coming. These engines will better meet emission and the side effect will be more HP and torque.

    As for GM building cars. Much of the issues are parts availability, but high demand and the fact not all dealers are the same when filling orders. Some dealers have more and better allocations and are the ones best to deliver the car you want vs other dealers that will take your money and they have no clue when they will or if they will get it.

    I bought my son a new car and the dealer I was at had a number of C8 models including a Z06 in the show room. They wer not over priced and they keep them moving. They also have been digging up low mile used ones and selling them also at a good price. I have seen other Chevy dealers like this.

    While you may not have one local to you you may want to do the home work and search for a Corvette focused dealer not just a Chevy dealer.

    As for GM this is really a better problem than they had with the C4. It is better having people waiting and a car in demand vs one no one wanted and not selling. This car has really taken the Corvette to a new level in popularity. Let’s face it in most of our life times we have never seen this many Corvettes sold and this much demand for them.

    If forced to drop the ICE models you can bet the rush for thes emodels will be unlike anything we have ever seen.

    With the spring they are a little lower on supply but the Stingrays are there at a near sticker price.

    https://www.lariachevybuick.com/VehicleSearchResults?search=new&make=Chevrolet&_vsrefdom=c4goog&c4campaign=20399553527&c4adgroup=151283096789&c4source=googleads&c4medium=cpc&c4adid=666921954612&c4tracking=20399553527_151283096789_666921954612&sd_campaign=Retention-Chevrolet&sd_digadprov=c4analytics&sd_channel=search&sd_campaign_type=google&sd_program=tier3&sd_adgroup=23-CHV-DLR_RTN_Retargeting_New__Chevrolet-Branded&sd_adid=666921954612&sd_digadcid=20399553527&sd_keyword=laria%20chevrolet&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwYSwBhDcARIsAOyL0filqdKw7q-2WFfnk7gPdWrn5Jhbvzl7pvU-jnbFfhwL_k-OmZ–R0UaAiKNEALw_wcB&searchQuery=corvette

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    1. The C7 did very well too. The IMSA and WEC racing has elevated the Corvette brand to Porche levels. Now they can diversify the portfolio to include the bespoke options of a 911 and increase pricing to make space for the Camaro below the Corvette.
      The electrification BS is just not going to work out well for performance cars though. We have seen the movie with Tesla and Lucid. There is no point in having a sportscar if Sedans are as quick as dragsters

      Mary needs to think about her electrification push and consider profits first.

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      1. C5-8 all have done very well. I think the C5 was the best selling of all C models.

        No reason to get too crazy on the bespoke stuff as it would be in so few cars. You do not want to increase pricing of the Stingray anymore than needed as it is still a sports car most can afford to buy and it provides the volume that keep the Corvette profitable.

        The Camaro is dead as are two door coupes. Even the Charger was only selling volume due to low prices of an old platform and even then it was not close to what coupes used to sell.

        The performance is not going to be smooth sailing for EV. Most performance buyers love the feel, the smell. Just going fast is not the only thing but the sound and the feel are lost in a EV.

        Handling is not also great and the thrill of a small light tossable car is lost too.

        Mary is thinking of the future. If you have not noticed her plan is to sell both ICE and EV as long as possible, She has not abandoned ICE but she has invested in EV to the point GM can go either way depending what the elections hands us.

        GM even has a new V8 coming so we still have time but I expect the laws will make things even more difficult for the automakers.

        But yes profits come first and that is why GM sells what they sell as it makes the greatest return on the dollar.

        I just hope they do not use the Camaro or Corvette name on a SUV. It is a model not a brand. Porsche needs it as they need the volume Chevy already has the volume. No need to damage the equity of a 70 year old name for a 2 seat sport car just to fool some folks that it a SUV is a Corvette.

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  13. How does a Corvette blog turn into political agendas. I don’t want to hear about people’s political views on this site I want to hear about corvette’s whether good, bad or indifferent.
    These people need to be kicked out of this forum and take their political views elsewhere. Ridiculous!

    Reply
    1. Gary,
      I concur with your perspective. However, the present political leadership’s electric vehicle (EV) mandates, their recently enforced stringent emission standards, and the government’s monetary support for the automotive sector significantly influence the auto industry. This includes the production of vehicles now and in the future, such as the Corvette, which explains the political expressions of frustration from individuals on this platform.

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    2. “How does a Corvette blog turn into political agendas?” Since you asked the question, it’s not about agendas – not sure where that came from. It’s about government control of what manufacturers are allowed to build and what consumers will be able to buy in the future. One group is using excessive policy to outlaw internal combustion engines that most people prefer – including in Corvettes! The other group says allow the sale of any powertrain you want. Censorship isn’t the answer. Shouldn’t the “agenda” be promoting citizen awareness so that they can make good voting decisions? One may not care about politics – but politics certainly cares about THEM when it comes to government regulation, restriction of personal freedom (and taxation), no? Silence is tacit approval…

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  14. That point I wasn’t objecting too the comments that need to be excluded from this site is your political choices whether it be democrat or republican or other.
    When people start expressing their political affiliation and saying, and I quote “ that’s what you get with the far left so on Election Day remember that” end quote.
    Most of us come here to talk about our new corvettes and to get away from all of the other chaos going on in the world.
    It’s just sad that we live in such a divided country these days with no place to escape if just for a few minutes but I guess as everywhere else it’s all about the numbers and the hell with the content!

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    1. Glad that we’re on the same page then. Sorry that you took offense. I’m saddened that John F Kennedy would have been kicked out of his party today. You can’t talk about future corvette powertrains without introducing government’s role and restrictions – and that means future government. My original post said “long-term” and that’s where my remarks apply. I always look at the short and long term picture.

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  15. Well Bob in Fl. You obviously missed the point entirely I’m speaking in regards to the comment made on an auto makers forum that stated and I quote “ that’s what you get with the far left so remember that come Election Day” end quote.
    Everyone needs to leave out your views on which party you should vote for but I’m sure not won’t happen because of the huge divide and political differences that everyone can’t seem to keep in check you know “There’s a correct Time and Place for everything” !
    Enjoy your platform there’s other REAL automotive websites that are actually just that!

    Reply
    1. That was another forum wasn’t it? Thanks for following along! To my recollection I never called for censorship of anyone. I must be making some good points. Thanks!

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  16. All future models will feature a 25k mark up minimum.

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  17. Folks need to ck out Jay Leno’s Garage vidio where he demonstrates a new C8 Electric with Vette engineer. It has ICE mid engine , plus 2 electric drives up front. Batt charges when decelerating

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    1. I endorse that video too. At first I was dismissive of the e-Ray, but that video changed my mind and peaked my interest. It accelerates very well. However, the chief engineer said that the balance and lighter weight of the Z06 makes it preferable for road racing. Also, he said e-Ray is probably the most complex consumer product you can buy. As an engineer, I prefer “simple”. Additional complexity means that individual parts have to have higher reliability to keep overall reliability of the car high. As we all know, it’s best not to buy early production of ANY new design as consumers perform additional long-term reliability “field” testing – using and abusing these vehicles. Do some C8 transmissions still have an issue? Or is everything OK in current production? For my sake I hope so.

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