Leaked: Next Corvette to Add Heaping Helping of Horsepower
With the Corvette ZR1 currently off the table, Chevrolet has eased the existing Stingray into a comfortable 450 to 650 horsepower. While that might be enough to trounce just about anything you might encounter on the daily commute, it doesn’t have the necessary might to embarrass a Lamborghini Aventador with total assurance.
That’s unfortunate, as one of the Corvette’s best attributes is being able to bully European exotics sitting at a much higher price point. While America does have a handful of muscle and pony cars that can do the job, the majority would have trouble accomplishing that feat going any direction other than straight. So, with Dodge’s Viper now absent from the automotive landscape, we could really use the ZR1 right about now.
Fortunately, it’s coming soon and it’s bringing 750 horsepower with it.
Vette fanatics from Corvette Forum leaked details from the December issue of Car and Driver earlier this week. The cover had the ZR1 plastered across it, accompanied by the words, “A 750-horsepower celebration.” This was followed by a member of the forum posting a digital copy of the entire story.
We’re not going to share the entire article verbatim, as that would be an awfully crummy thing to do to the good folks at Car and Driver. But we’re happy to give you some highlights. First, the ZR1 looks to use the same 6.2-liter V8 as found in the Z06 — adding a hungrier Eaton supercharger and dual port- and direct-injection. That results in the aforementioned addition of 100 horses and a total of 680 lb-ft of torque.
The body is fitted with all kinds of trick aerodynamics up front and the hood has been raised to account for the taller supercharger. It’s also so tall that it cannot pass European regulations, making the ZR1 distinctly American. Suspension pieces are the same but General Motors will set them up slightly more aggressively on the burley Vette. Coolers and ducting are supposedly enhanced, which is probably not a bad idea when you add power to a vehicle already known for having issues with heat.
Quarter-mile times are expected to sneak under the 11-seconds mark, while the top speed will be a minimum of 210 mph. Slated to debut as a 2019 model-year car, the Corvette ZR1 will have to remain on your waiting list for a while. But the rumor mill claims it will be unveiled in Dubai over the weekend, with its first domestic appearance occurring at the L.A. Auto Show later this month. We don’t know if that’s surely the case, but we would expect it to be at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show in January, regardless.
[Images: Corvette Forum; Car and Driver]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Mary Barra and GM have little or no interest in engineering excellence. All they seen to care about is profits. The GM of 1996 was a much more healthy company in terms of product and profitability. People today have little interest in GM's products that aren't either trucks or large SUVs. I don't think there is even a GM car in the top ten in domestic sales. The GM cars that do sell are lackluster Korean models like the Cruze. GM really sucks!
I have to applaud GM for making the current Vette a more appealing package . I'm seeing more under 50 y/o professional types , usually in Z51 optioned Vettes vs. show and shine retirees. I think there is a place for a Mid-engine vette, but not with a low revving powerplant, it needs something more ...exotic