MR Corvette C8 - General Discussion

[AudiMan2011]

Sounds like a turbo version of the LT6 in the ZR1. Whether it will also have the AWD hybrid from the E-Ray is a different story

 

[Keef]

Sounds like a turbo version of the LT6 in the ZR1. Whether it will also have the AWD hybrid from the E-Ray is a different story

Jesus, that thing is way turbo. I'm curious why they've left the wastegates open out the back. All four pipes seem to fit...I wonder if they're planning to do that for the road? No way that would pass a dBa scale for sound testing especially in Europe. Cars get away with loud rumbly V8 exhausts because low tones don't factor highly on the dBa scale.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Jesus, that thing is way turbo. I'm curious why they've left the wastegates open out the back. All four pipes seem to fit...I wonder if they're planning to do that for the road? No way that would pass a dBa scale for sound testing especially in Europe. Cars get away with loud rumbly V8 exhausts because low tones don't factor highly on the dBa scale.

Probably because GM knew that there would be spotters at the 'ring and could get some free viral publicity.

 

[Darla Starch]

 

[TheCracker]

'The unthinkable is coming this summer'?

The ZR1 is going to be an electric SUV.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Let me guess...it's going to be the fastest Corvette ever...just like every other ZR-1 was. Truly unthinkable.

 

[Joey D]

Corvette ZR1 getting its debut on July 25:

 

[Keef]

Let me guess...it's going to be the fastest Corvette ever...just like every other ZR-1 was. Truly unthinkable.

The engineering behind a mass-production sports car which is relatively affordable, sold and serviced by dealerships, and warrantied for tens of thousands of miles is considerably more interesting to me than that of a fantastical and unobtainable hypercar with so few restrictions.

 

[McLaren]

Leaked earlier today on the Corvette forum, though members have shared GM requested the thread be deleted.

When the bow-tie automaker unveiled its first-ever mid-engine Corvette Stingray for the 2020 model year, it was already expected that a very diverse lineup would be on the horizon. The quintessential American sports car would therefore be offered in a few distinct versions to attract a wider customer base. In fact, to date, consumers can already get their hands on the Corvette Stingray, the Corvette Z06 and the Corvette E-Ray with hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive.

But, from 2025, we can now talk about the Corvette ZR1, the first in history to surpass the 1,000 horsepower mark and also the first to fit a pair of turbochargers on top of a V8 engine from the "Small Block" series. The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox remains in place.

Two turbos and lots of horsepower

This new block, dubbed LT7 for the occasion, with a displacement of 5.5 liters, develops the trifle of 1,064 horsepower at a speed of 7,000 rpm and a torque of 828 lb-ft at a speed of 6,000 rpm. It should be noted that the LT7 is born from an LT6 block already in service on board the very high-end Z06. The block therefore retains its double overhead camshaft and its flat crankshaft, cast cylinder heads with unique ports and an enlarged combustion chamber. The intake has also been revised to adapt to the turbochargers, while the distribution and the valve lift profile are optimized for forced induction. In addition, the anti-lag engine calibration has been developed for this model to react to the driving style.



Other improvements include increased gear capacity through shot peening for all gears, oil management to support increased longitudinal and lateral capacity, and increased control valves to accommodate higher clutch clamp load, to name a few.

To curb the beast's ardor, the engineers integrated a new carbon-ceramic braking system with 15.7-inch discs at the front and 15.4-inch at the rear with six and four pistons per caliper respectively. This is unsurprisingly the most imposing and biting braking system in the history of the model.

A look all her own

The Corvette ZR1 isn't just about pumping up the mechanics. To better slice through the air—or lean more—at high speeds, the Corvette ZR1 can be ordered with an optional aerodynamic package made entirely of carbon fiber. It should be noted that the Corvette ZR1 already comes equipped with a carbon fiber exterior aerodynamic package with a rear spoiler and a front wing, side skirts, and side air intakes. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires are the stock tires.



However, the ZTK package comes with a larger trunk spoiler, a front wing, and that Gurney-style hood scoop, a ploy to improve the car's aerodynamics and increase downforce. It also helps cool the front-mounted intercooler. The Magnetic Ride suspension (also available on the base ZR1) has also been tweaked with this package, which comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2-R tires.

Split Window

The highlight, however, is at the back, as the designers have brought back the famous "Split Window" over the V8 engine, the central panel that serves to ventilate the engine compartment. Also noteworthy is the addition of a carbon fiber roof, unique wheels and even a set (of wheels) in carbon fiber.

New exterior and interior colors have also been added to the catalog of the most desirable Corvette. Now it remains to be seen how much this true exotic will sell for, the manufacturer who will reveal this information later.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

That's a lot of power, a lot more than the 850 I would have guessed. I wish GM would do something a little more interesting though. I like the character of the base C8, but I dislike the styling, it's too heavy, and the automatic only is a shame - none of these are remedied with the higher end models. Here's my dream C8 -

-Cross-plane crank version of the 5.5L n/a LT6 making ~550hp (As with the GT350 I think flat-plane V8s this size sound OK at best, they don't really suit American cars, IMO, and the advantages are minimal)
-7 speed DCT or optional 6 speed manual
-Weight reduction to take the car down to 3,000lbs
-Restyle the car to be less fussy & more sophisticated/mature
-Give it a Cadillac badge and simply the name "V"

 

[Joey D]

It's going to be in so many spectacular accidents with that much power. But I really can't wait to hear it. It's going to sound amazing.

 

[Canada_25]

I didn't expect that much power!!

I'm glad I've put my name on 2 lists a couple of months ago to have the chance to get my hands on one. In Canada, the amount they ship to us is very very limited... I'm 2nd at a low volume dealership and 10th at the biggest Corvette dealership in Quebec. For some reasons, I think my best chances are still at the biggest dealership. I'm not holding my breath for that, but I still hope to get the call somedays.

 

[Tornado]

That's great and all but even though that's 200 horsepower more than basically any of the rumors suggests unfortunately all of the automotive websites already declared the Mustang with a $300,000 NFS bodykit the winner of this battle 6 months ago when Ford's press releases told them to.

also the first to fit a pair of turbochargers on top of a V8 engine from the "Small Block" series.

Wow, that's not true in two different ways.

 

[Omnis]

Never tell anything sensitive to someone that works for GM and/or Corvette. That team leaks like a sieve.

 

[McLaren]

I didn't expect that much power!!

I'm glad I've put my name on 2 lists a couple of months ago to have the chance to get my hands on one. In Canada, the amount they ship to us is very very limited... I'm 2nd at a low volume dealership and 10th at the biggest Corvette dealership in Quebec. For some reasons, I think my best chances are still at the biggest dealership. I'm not holding my breath for that, but I still hope to get the call somedays.

Congrats on just getting yourself that high up. Are you considering going all out like the yellow example, or more subdued like the blue, by chance?

 

[Canada_25]

Congrats on just getting yourself that high up. Are you considering going all out like the yellow example, or more subdued like the blue, by chance?

I don't know... I'm not a fan of OEM big wings in general, except for the GT3 RS and the ACR Viper. This one looks alright, but I think the end plates looks a little bit too much... If I had to chose today, I'd go with the "base".

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I don't know... I'm not a fan of OEM big wings in general, except for the GT3 RS and the ACR Viper. This one looks alright, but I think the end plates looks a little bit too much... If I had to chose today, I'd go with the "base".

I'm surprised GM didn't go with the gooseneck wing that seems to be trending so hard these days.

 

[AudiMan2011]

 

[-Fred-]

I absolutely hate the rear wing, it's worse than the Z06's and somehow even worse than the tacked-on C7 ZR1 appendage. I'm curious to see how it'll be priced...

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I absolutely hate the rear wing, it's worse than the Z06's and somehow even worse than the tacked-on C7 ZR1 appendage. I'm curious to see how it'll be priced...

The end plates remind me of Forza aero....

 

[ScottPuss20]

This is the new Sledgehammer.

 

[05XR8]

With Aston Martin doing the Valkyrie and Vantage, I think Chevrolet could have continued the Corvette in both FR and MR. Could Corvette been split(no pun intended) as the main brand FR and Sting Ray the MR high end and race car? They’ve added the E-Ray. Maybe the MR car could have been the Sting Ray brand like the original concept car.

Since the Camaro is no more, the Corvette as Chevy’s FR car would be a way to keep that layout going. Plus whatever future possibilities.

 

[Keef]

With Aston Martin doing the Valkyrie and Vantage, I think Chevrolet could have continued the Corvette in both FR and MR. Could Corvette been split(no pun intended) as the main brand FR and Sting Ray the MR high end and race car? They’ve added the E-Ray. Maybe the MR car could have been the Sting Ray brand like the original concept car.

Since the Camaro is no more, the Corvette as Chevy’s FR car would be a way to keep that layout going. Plus whatever future possibilities.

I don't think Corvette as a brand makes sense like it would for Mustang, mostly because Chevy also has the Camaro nameplate. Ford only ever had the Mustang while the GT has effectively been an occasional one-off car. The Mustang itself has always been used and marketed in various capacities, from sporty economy car all the way to race car whereas the Corvette has only ever been a GT at minimum. Chevy already couldn't sell enough Camaros as it was so they can't even figure out how to do a tiered sports car system.

Beyond that I don't really get the comparison with Aston. Aston Martin caters to people with limitless money who will buy literally anything for any reason. Those aren't the markets Chevy or Ford can operate in.

 

[05XR8]

I don't think Corvette as a brand makes sense like it would for Mustang, mostly because Chevy also has the Camaro nameplate. Ford only ever had the Mustang while the GT has effectively been an occasional one-off car. The Mustang itself has always been used and marketed in various capacities, from sporty economy car all the way to race car whereas the Corvette has only ever been a GT at minimum. Chevy already couldn't sell enough Camaros as it was so they can't even figure out how to do a tiered sports car system.

Beyond that I don't really get the comparison with Aston. Aston Martin caters to people with limitless money who will buy literally anything for any reason. Those aren't the markets Chevy or Ford can operate in.

Not comparing. I’m saying what I said. Chevrolet branding Corvette and Sting Ray. Corvette is the FR layout since 1953 and Sting Ray as the new and future MR that does go head to head with high end MR cars in its category.

Directly comparing an Aston Martin to Corvette would be purely a numbers comparison. Most power, quickest, fastest, time attack.

 

[AudiMan2011]

Possible hybrid ZR1 Zora testing at the ring. The orange sticker on the engine cover is meant to denote cars testing with electrified powertrains.

 

[CTznOfTime]

AMG One = 1063 HP
Corvette ZR1 = 1064 HP

Truly a coincidence as confirmed by Corvette Technical Lead Chief Engineer
He didn't call out on the Merc, I just noticed the two numbers.

 

[AudiMan2011]

233mph Vmax for the ZR1

 

[05XR8]

Shucks! Almost as fast as a 30yo McLaren F1.

I’m not into top speed stuff, but that’s pretty cool for a mass produced car. Not sure how many will be made in total though.

 

[Ryan81]

I like it! 😀