New Theory Suggests C8 Corvette ZR1 Could Be a Z06 With E-Ray’s Hybrid System
For years now, everyone has assumed the C8 Corvette ZR1 will be powered by a twin-turbo LT7, but that may not be the case after all.
Essentially since the launch of the C8 Corvette way back in 2019 for the 2020 model year, we’ve been eagerly anticipating more variants, and so far, we’ve gotten a couple of them – the Z06 and the E-Ray. As is usually the case in the Corvette world, however, the best is yet to come, in the form of a new C8 Corvette ZR1 and perhaps even the long-rumored Zora. Heck, we even know – or at least think we know – precisely what kind of powertrain those two cars will come equipped with, too.
The long-accepted rumor is that the C8 Corvette ZR1 will essentially utilize the same 5.5-liter LT6 V8 present in the Z06, albeit with two turbos added for more power and a new name – LT7. The Zora, on the other hand, is expected to take that same setup and add the hybrid all-wheel drive system from the E-Ray to create the ultimate version of the modern-day Corvette. However, another theory recently emerged via a video from Brink of Speed, and it’s one that has conjured up an interesting conversation in the CorvetteForum forums.
That theory is this – the C8 Corvette ZR1 will indeed come equipped with the LT6 – but with no turbos, and instead, the hybrid system from the E-Ray, while the Zora will simply add a pair of turbos to that configuration. The reasoning for this revolves around traction concerns, as the 800-1,000 horsepower generated by these two models could apparently cause issues there. Brink of Speed claims that this information comes directly from a GM executive, to boot.
As one might imagine, the folks at CorvetteForum have plenty of thoughts on this topic, including many who agree with this new rumor, or at least feel like the old rumor isn’t quite up to snuff. “I totally agree with the OP,” said NEVERL8. “Makes perfect sense. Think about it. Take two known technologies already in use (notice I did not say proven, yet). Put them together and have an 800+ all-wheel-drive supercar that will accelerate so fiercely it will compress you eyeballs on the way to a sub 10-second quarter-mile run.”
“If I were building the ZR1, I’d take the two things I know and trust and have already paid for developing and testing – the LT6 and the hybrid front,” said Fishfryer527. “If the ZR1 is a sales success, I would then spend the money to twin turbo the LT6, if it isn’t a success or the economic or sales climate changes, then skip the Zora. If it is a success, then continue development on the TT LT6. If the E-Ray turns out not to be in huge demand, then there may not be a market for an AWD/hybrid Corvette, then maybe they shift to go TT LT6 for the ZR1.”
“Here is my take. I don’t believe the LT6 will be in any other vehicle except the Z06,” said AustinVetter. “The ZR1 will be a twin-turbo LT2. The Zora will be a twin-turbo LT2 with E-Ray battery and motors up front.” “GM would not have stamped ‘LT7’ on an LT6 shipping crate if they planned to use an LT2 in either the ZR1 or Zora!” contended JMB.
“I’ve been thinking for a while that it would make a lot more sense for the ZR1 to have an LT6 with the E-Ray’s electric motor setup,” said EvanZR1. “No major development and two systems they already have in production. Personally, I’d rather have that than a twin-turbo LT6 driving the rear wheels only. You’d get the aural delight and high-revving fun of the FPC LT6 with improved traction from the front electric motor and a nice 800+ horsepower figure, all while keeping the price somewhat reasonable. Leaves the Zora to be the one-off twin-turbo hybrid 1,000 horsepower supercar Corvette that will cost $200k+.”
Others aren’t exactly thrilled at the notion of a hybrid C8 Corvette ZR1, however. “I don’t want the ZR1 to be a hybrid,” said OnPoint. “Leave that for Zora. I have no interest in a first-gen hybrid for a long-term keeper. What I hope the ZR1 gets is a Gen VI DOHC with CPC and TT, but I could certainly see them go FPC in it for TT efficiency. Hopefully we’ll all know the answer in about a year or so.”
“The Gen 6 architecture is less of an evolution and more of a clean sheet design if you compare it to the Gen 3 to Gen 5 progression,” said GrandSport 2017. “The LT6 is actually the first production engine based on the Gen 6 architecture. The Gen 6 is a ‘corporate architecture’ with at least four variants planned as of early 2021. Expect all GM V8 engines for the foreseeable future to be based off this architecture.”
Then again, there are plenty of folks that don’t buy this new rumor at all. “I don’t agree. Too much R&D in the LT6 to limit its use to just the Z06,” said Howydo. “I believe the ZR1 will be a modified LT6 with twin turbos and RWD. Traction won’t be a huge issue due to the mid-engine weight distribution along with tires. The Zora will then likely be the ZR1 with electric assist. I don’t buy into this other theory as all ZR1s have been RWD in the past and there’s never been a supercar named Zora.”
Some even go so far as to suggest that the Zora is just a pipe dream for enthusiasts. “My theory is Zora (if it exists at all) is a special edition sticker package for whatever the ZR1 ends up being,” said StayinStock. “I still am not convinced GM is building some super-variant based on some article from four years ago. Zora is an internet-fueled pipe dream with no confirmation from GM… just lots of media speculation. As for the ZR1, I’m guessing it’ll have either a cross-plane version of the 5.5 with turbos or whatever the next iteration of the 6.2 LT2 is with some sort of boost.”
Others believe that Cadillac’s racing version of this particular engine might wind up powering the ZR1. “LT7 was leaked long time ago,” said Iker. “It is a new generation engine series with DOHC, but not sure if it is going to be FPC or CPC. However, given the fact that Cadillac just introduced a masterpiece in their racing car with the twin-turbo DOHC CPC with a 9,000 RPM redline, I can assume this engine will find it is way to the new ZR1.”
One thing’s for sure – this topic has stirred up one heck of a fascinating conversation, if nothing else. While we await the debut of the C8 Corvette ZR1, it’s certainly fun to speculate what that car might be like, and in the end, we’ll see who was right – and wrong – this entire time. However, this is just a small sample size of the discussion that’s happening in this thread right now, so be sure and head over here to read it all, then chime in with your own thoughts!
Photos: CorvetteForum, Chevrolet
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