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.

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.

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.

Read the entire story

Source: Jonathan Lopez - GM Authority

Posted 4/26/24