elegant

Excitedly, there will be two new ME motors — along with the surprise-to-me continuation of the 6.2L for the mid engine. And, there is confirming information that the C7 will probably live on two additional years beyond the 2019 MY.

Thanks and credit to “rsinor” for his providing information from the just-last-month updated, “North American Engine Forecast: 2016-2024” (hereafter referred to as the “Forecast”), in his following thread:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...16-2024-a.html

Taking off from his initial great find, we have learned more about the ME’s new motors and also about the 2020 & 2021 C7’s engines. That information is below.

First, thank you very much and credit to IHS Markit, the publisher/source of the North American Engine Forecast.

Nicely-startling in the “Forecast,” it is listed that the maximum output of the gas-powered, direct injection platform of GM’s gas-powered, V-8 motors could be 850 HP, 720 TQ (again, its maximum design parameter) and although probable, nothing in the Forecast specifically shows that that motor would specifically power a future Corvette either at that power lever or reduced somewhat. However, as noted in rsinor‘s linked thread, he found that the “Cadillac “Sports Cars” has no projected V-8 power-plants for any year through 2024, and he thus concluded that program was “cancelled.” If 850/720 or anywhere near that for the ME, ZORA would be joyous!

I. Two Corvette Platforms for 2020 and 2021: A front-engine platform, called a Y1, and a mid-engine platform, called a Y2.

I have online looked at the “2016-2024 North American Engine Forecast” for several days, and it shows there would be two different Corvette platforms for both 2020 and 2021. And, there would be a total of three motors spread over the two Corvette platforms, specifically:

1.A) A 6.2L, 16V, OHV, for the Y1, front-engined, Corvette platform;

1.B) A 6.2L, 16V, OHV, for the Y2, mid-engined, Corvette platform;

2) A 4.2 L, 32 V, DOHC, for the Corvette Y2 platform; and,

3) A 5.5L, 32 V, DOHC, also for the Corvette Y2 platform.

II. Corvettes’ Projected Future Motor Needs:

A) The 6.2L, Y1 front-engine platform, is projected to use 14,000 motors for 2019, declining significantly for 2020 to 9,000; and even more for 2021 with just 3,000 engines that year — and no more front-engined Corvettes are listed after 2021. Guessing here, that perhaps that the 9,000, 6.2L’s will go into 2020 & 2021 Z06’s, and the much lower amount of 3,000 6.2L’s projected for 2021, will go into ZR1’s (the last year of the ZR1)?

B) The 6.2L, Y2 mid-engine platform, is projected to use 14,000 motors for 2019 through 2021, then slightly less for 2022-2024.

C) The 4.2L, Y2 platform, is projected to use 7,000+ motors every year 2019 through calendar year 2024. (All 4.2L’s would be produced at Tonawanda.)

D) The 5.5L, Y2 platform, is projected to use 5,000 motors annually 2019 through 2023. None are listed for 2024. (All 5.5L’s would be produced at Tonawanda.)


It is very interesting to see that while BGA is currently making many over 10,000 motors annually, then projected to make half that many through 2021, by the very end of this time forecast time period (2024), it would only then be producing only 1,000 — becoming at that time only a “build your Corvette motor option” engine assembly location?

Thus, based on this new info, it is probable that the C7 continues onward after 2019 for two more years (2020 & 2021), being produced simultaneously with the C8/ME those two years,m with the mid-engine’s three motor options (the 4.2L, the 5.5 L, and the 6.2L) all continuing through at least 2023.

Of course, the Forecast is just that, and while it is scientifically and thoroughly researched and prepared, and it is very highly respected, there well could be continued future changes in projections especially as market conditions continue to evolve, i.e., why it is periodically and systematically revised.

OnPoint

elegant - thanks for the summary. Much appreciated.

This is an interesting tidbit from your post, elegant: "and no more front-engined Corvettes are listed after 2021"

Does that suggest the C8 will be mid-engine?

More pointedly, does that suggest the ME that will debut is the C8? I.e. there won't be a separate ME, and then later a C8 (whether FR or ME)?

elegant

This is a point of disagreement. Many of us believe that the C8=ME; that the ME=C8.
Some do not.

As to the future of the front-engined Corvette after 2021, that too is another point of differing perspectives. I do not personally have any definitive proof, and maybe even within GM they are awaiting to see, with the two year overlap of both front-engined C7 and mid-engined C8’s, whether they will only swim in the mid-engine pond thereafter.

JerriVette

Good speculation. Sounds logical for the most part.

sunsalem

FWIW, I've never expected the "Cadillac Sportscar" to have a V8.
I thought it would have a high-output V6 turbo hybrid.

KnightDriveTV

If GM stops producing a front engine Corvette I will GIVE my Z06 away on this forum, for free. It won't HAPPEN.

Nothing in the automotive WORLD indicates that to be a sound decision and it would be absolutely ABSURD for Bowling Green to have expanded so that it could handle dual production for 2 yrs, then quit. GM doesn't invest millions upon millions of dollars for two yrs of overlap. If they wanted to solely bump output they could've worked more than one shift. This is about a sustained higher capacity of production building two separate types of car at the same time.

C8 WILL be front engine, with a base model, then an upgrade, then an evolving ME car from that platform. You'll see.

roadbike56

Nice summary. Several of us, including myself, have been saying this for over a year. Two platforms, an ME and the C7 through MY 2021. Certainly the engine summary from rsinor confirmed what has been said before. This conclusion was reached when the panel supplier's expansion plans were disclosed.
Interesting that so far, there is no indication of any delays with the intro of the ME car as has happened with previous major change cars (C2, C4, C5, & C7).
Lets hope the schedule stays on track.

Quinten33

If the 5.5L DOHC engine sounds like the 5.5L in the C7.R, there’s going to be a lot of happy ears across the country. That displacement makes sense for the ME not only because it’s the same as the C7.R, but because that’s considered very high displacement for a DOHC V8 and said engine will produce monsterous power. And a 4.2 Liter DOHC V8 would have to be boosted, right? My guess is a single turbo setup. I’m curious to see if they really do use a 6.2L pushrod V8 In a ME model because that would be the only muscular Supercar in the world. Could you imagine how much cheaper service and modifications on Supercars with that engine would be vs competitors? People are scared to void the warranty on their McLarens because repairs are insanely expensive. There’s 3 shops In my area that could fix a malfunctioning chevy small block for cheap. It’s a smart engine choice IMO.

elegant

Within the last year, GM has patented a twin-stage, twin turbo. Might this fit in with the 4.2L and/or the 5.5L DOHC ME motors is not yet known to us.

f-16pilotTX

Fantastic write up! Thank you so much!

Honestly, I wouldn’t be too excited for a 6.2L OHC Engine in the Mid Engine. I rather have DOHC, I think it will fit better... anyone else agree?

fasttoys

elegant -Interesting info.

dcbingaman

Actually, the current OHV 6.2 L LT1 makes sense for the ME because of its compactness and width. A DOHC 6.2L probably wouldn't fit. I am guessing the base engine for the ME will eventually be a 4.2L DOHC and it is a first cousin of the 3.1 DOHC V-6 that Chevy sells in the Camaro. 4/3*3.1 ~ 4.2. Power will come from more revs and forced induction, (ala, McLaren and Ferrari.)

Not sure where the 5.5L DOHC fits in.....it doesn't seem to hang around long, either....could be a temporary replacement for the LT1 to meet fuel mileage requirements in the FE variant.

dcbingaman

If you add up all these engines, GM is projecting that total C7+C8 production will average ~40,000 cars each year from 2019 on. That is pretty ambitious. It also indicates to me that they intend to sell the Y2 at about the same price point as the current C7, or they won't sell nearly as many units as these numbers forecast.

TBIRD57

imo sales of the current C7 will drop off as soon as ME come on line.
you know how many corvette owners want to be the first with latest

MikeG37

LIStingray

It makes zero sense to engineer the ME for both DOHC and pushrod V8's, so it looks to me like GM is expecting to sell about 12,000 ME Corvettes per year from 2020-2024; and if that is so, the ME will be at a much higher price point than the current C7 just to recoup all the engineering costs.

SoCalFinest

Thanks for the info Elegant!

roadbike56

If that's true then we should expect a new FE (the C8) to be introduced in MY 2022. Exciting times. Hope this comes true.

elegant

Regarding the above factual post, that the numbers add up to 40,000 units, at least for 2020,
that is optimistic, as follows:

According to Kai, and as we have all heard, the new BGA production level is 11.6 units/hour. Factoring in 5 days per week, 10 hours per day, and also his statement that the “red line capability” of the new paint shop is 14 units/hour, this only allows for 34,000 Corvettes to be produced per year.

As to a new FE in 2022, the NA Engine Forecast does not include that model in any format with a V-8,, though suppose it could be a 6 cyclinder (did not look at that).

Racer X

It appears nobody is excited about a 850HP Corvette. And because HP is higher than torque likely a higher revving engine than today.

What does it take to get you guys excited? 850 HP is just nothing anymore? And that doesn't include the possibility of front wheel mount electric motors as well.