chucky7

Next Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 could pack 700hp, 600 for the C7 Z06


By Patrick Rall on Tue, 02/19/2013 - 19:38
•Chevrolet
•GM
•Auto News



While General Motors hasn’t offered any official information on the C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 or ZR1, rumors and inside information suggests that these two high performance package for the new Stingray are coming with some serious power packed under the hood – helping to further make the Z06 and ZR1 compete with (and beat) the best supercars in the world.
Even though GM hasn’t said word one about the existence of a Z06 or ZR1 based on the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, there is no one in the auto industry who doesn’t expect to see those two high performance packages offered on the new Stingray in the next few years. Even since before the 2014 Stingray debuted there were rumors floating around the internet about “what could be” with the C7 Z06 and ZR1 and thanks to the folks at Motor Trend, we have an idea of what we might see when these models debut in the next year or so.

First of all, Motor Trend’s source indicated that the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 would continue to be powered by the huge, naturally aspirated 7.0L V8 that powers the current C6 Z06 but the power output should be increased substantially. This is contrary to the rumor that the LS7 V8 packed under the hood of the current Corvette Z06 would be discontinued after the 2013 model year but the inside information doesn’t specify whether this 7.0L mill would be based on the current LS engine series or the new LT V8 engine. Regardless of the engine family, the inside information suggests that the C7 Z06 will pack somewhere in the area of 600 horsepower which will come as a significant increase over the 505hp produced by the C6 Z06.

The juicier portion of Motor Trend’s inside info is that the C7 Corvette ZR1 will be powered by a new supercharged V8 based on the new LT1 engine that will offer somewhere in the area of 700 horsepower. We should consider the fact that the C4 ZR1 was powered by a 375 horsepower LT5 engine option when the base Corvette was powered by the LT1 engine. The 2014 Corvette Stingray is once again powered by an LT1 engine so the C7 ZR1 could bring back the fabled LT5 name – although it will offer vastly more power than the LT5 of the early 1990s.
While all of this big power talk would help the C7 Chevrolet Corvette compete a great deal better in the global performance market – the real shootout for the Corvette is with the new 2013 SRT Viper. In early testing, the 2013 Viper has been pretty much even with the 2013 Corvette ZR1 but if GM was to cut some weight from the range topping ZR1 while adding an additional 62 horsepower…it would most likely put to rest any questions about which of these American supercars offers better performance. The Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology Group has been quick to refute any claims that the current ZR1 is the better performance car when compared to the 2013 SRT Viper GTS but if the next generation ZR1 packs 700 horsepower, it will be hard for the new Viper to compete in its current form.

In fact, if the C7 Corvette Z06 offers somewhere in the area of 580-600 horsepower, the next generation Z06 fitted with the ZR1 Selective Magnetic Ride Control system may be able to go head to head with the Viper in a venue with turns while the 640 horsepower Viper would still likely be the stronger car in a straight line battle with the C7 Z06.

Again, this information is to be taken with a grain of salt as it is all unofficial but considering the amount of information dug up by the folks at Motor Trend via their network of inside informants – we would expect that this preliminary info on the C7 Corvette Z06 and ZR1 would at least be very close to the actual specs when these models arrive in showrooms.

Source: Motor Trend

jr3

Blackdevil77

I know I'm probably gonna want the Z06 version when that comes out but I'm barely able to afford the base stingray with the options I want. No way would I be able to afford the Z06 anytime soon. It would be nice if they made the base stingray's performance around what the current Z06 is, the next Z06's performance around where the current ZR1 is, and the next ZR1's performance having un-godly, unmatched performance. That's likely not gonna happen

User24

Wait, isn't the LS7 already pushed to the limits of technology and science? What are they going to do to make it more powerful, and still last 3 years 36,000 miles?

Blackdevil77

I guess direct injection, variable valve timing, higher compression ratio etc

lt4obsesses

More like a shaker of salt, because I think this article was heavily influence by Anejo.

Gary '09 C6

From an economic standpoint, I can't see the business justification for two high-performance variants of the C7.
Unit sales of both the Z06 and ZR1 have been relatively dismal since MY 2010; the recent 427 'vert helped a bit,
but it was a one-MY edition.

Chevy would be more successful by offering the "C7 ZR1 equivalent" at 700 hp, and instead offering a more powerful
engine option upgrade for the regular C7 coupe/'vert (say 550 hp--600 hp). No need for another complete model
in-between...(JMHO).

User 2623

A long with that option would also be an areo package upgrade, more aggressive stance, the usual "Z" accountrements.

Gary '09 C6

^ kinda' like how the Corvettes were built from MY's 1955-1974...pick your own powertrain,
suspension, brakes, other accoutrements, etc. (what a concept !! )

ride250s

I would say it is more than likely. Judging by the fact that a C6 Z06 with the Z07 Option can pull track lap times not far off the pace of the current ZR1, I bet the new Z06 will get darn close to one upping the current ZR1's lap times. And I would expect the new ZR1 to blow anything else out of the water! I think they are aiming squarely at Ferrari and their new F150 Supercar.

ride250s

I think building both the ZR1 and the Z06 make perfect economic sence, esspecially when spaced out over a few years. They generate excitement, anticipation, and new sales for the brand.

This time around all corvettes will be utilizing in-house alluminum frames, sure the ZR1 and Z06 frames might differ slightly from the base model, but this saves money as opposed to having 2 completely different frames. There won't be much more cost for GM to build them, and they can shoot for low sales goals, as the base cars are there number one sellers. Anything spent on R and D will be worth it in terms of Excitement and notoriety for Chevrolet!

There are a lot of people out there, myself included, that wouldn't beable to afford a ZR1, but still want something substantially better than a Z51 Optioned car. Also, while the ZR1 is an awesome beast, I would rather have an NA motor and the 7.0L makes me smile more than a supercharger or a turbo. The Z06 has a nice niche as a very powerful, light, and appropriotly ballanced track day car. And while the ZR1 is a great track car, I wouldn't want it as my everyday track car, too big and bulky. It is a Flair car, with that look at me presence, with the motor to back it up. I would love to have one someday but for me, and for many more out there, the Z06 is a better fit. It don't hurt that the current one gets better gas milage either!

MikeyTX

Sounds like another scribe wanna be trying to boost sales of an extremely useless piece of pulp. I'd give more credence to the turn table model at the auto show. At least she is worth looking at.

C7envy

I need them to make 2 more models so that I feel better about passing on that deal with the 2013 zr1 lol.

But maybe now since they will all use the same body and such maybe they don't have to charge 130k for it again.

Unless now 3/4 of the panels will be carbon fiber this time around. Although they got at least half the car in carbon fiber already.

BWF07

I don't put a lot of credence in Motor Trend. I would wait for GM to announce what they have planned for the high performance model. After all the sales on the Z06 and ZR1 have not been setting the world on fire. Granted the economy has not helped, but I don't know that it has improved all that much or shown that it is stable and growing for a lot of buyers to run out and plop $120K+ down on a new C7 ZR1.

When GM introduces a new high performance model I really expect it to be something new with a new badge. Like an LT4 or LT5 or even the old L88.

I mean they just unveiled a complete new Corvette that has everone talking, and then they turn around and unveil a past years Z06 or ZR1.

Mike Mercury

that's exactly how the "toyota 8 sp auto trans for 2014" was introduced



and it's all because of Jalopnik. Jalop-crap is the tabloid of the automotive press. And since they get a lot of attention (though negatively in many respects) - other automotive publications are following their lead.

lt4obsesses

Well, I don't know, it appears to me that they are trying to make this a one size fits all chassis. I think production costs of building three different Corvettes bit them in the butt on sixth generation. This would be dissapointing to those hoping for the return of 'widebody' editions. However, some of that dissappointment could be relieved if, as a result, they could produce a track worthy 650hp version for under the six figure mark.

My other thought is that considering the auto manufacturing regualtory environment, I would not look to Chevrolet to hit the 700hp mark. Could they? Sure they could. But for reasons beyond their control, I don't think they will. I feel like they are going to focus in the direction of weight savings, rigidity, and wind resistance to get the performance numbers, not so much the raw power. I'm not saying this as a good thing or a bad thing, just stating my guess based upon what I've seen and read. But perhaps, I haven't had enough coffee yet.

FloydSummerOf68

Oh, you mean the same Jalopnik that brought us the C7 over a year before it's release?

davidwp97

Quote from a famous, and generally very accurate, insider:

Powertrain – Engine – LT4

"2015 LT4 supercharged engine - 586hp - will be an upgrade of Camaro ZL1

I think it is called LT4 so you don't think it is from a C6."



David

petermj

I will permanently stop visiting this place if indeed there is a high performance C7 coming WITH A REMOVABLE TOP.

355Spider

The ZR1 is going to need 750-800hp when it comes out in 3 or 4 years to dominate like it has. Everyone else will be in that range.