2019 Chevrolet Corvette to get mid-engined twin-turbo V8 flagship

[Wretched]

BIG, bad, brawny and mechanically simple V8s have been the bread and butter of the Corvette for decades, but recently leaked CAD images show that things are about to get a little more sophisticated for the beloved ‘Vette’s next-generation replacement.

Published on enthusiast site corvetteforum.com, a single image purporting to show the powerplant of a range-topping Corvette variant depicts something that’s so far evaded GM engine bays: a twin-turbocharged overhead cam V8. Not the most 'Murican of configurations for The General's star-spangled sportscar, but performance freaks are unlikely to care.

We’ve glimpsed CAD illustrations of the new mid-engined eighth-generation Corvette's innards before, however those images – also unearthed by corvetteforum.com – depicted a naturally-aspirated V8, most likely the 6.2 litre LT1 that powers the current front-engined C7 Corvette and Camaro SS. The latest image, meanwhile, shows something we haven’t yet seen: a dual overhead-cam V8 with a pair of turbochargers hanging off each side and a set of water-to-air intercoolers nestled in the valley.

Expected to carry the engine code ‘LT7’, this turbocharged donk is expected to power a mid-ranking variant as well as the flagship model of the C8 Corvette family, leaving the 6.2-litre pushrod-equipped LT1 to open the range. Both the mid-level and range-topper will feature a pair of turbochargers and twin-cam cylinder heads, but the former is expected to displace a modest 4.4 litres while the latter will flex 5.5 litres.

As for power output, those numbers are still very much top secret. However with the LT1 already capable of a very stout 343kW without the aid of turbocharging, the Corvette’s advanced new powerplants should easily eclipse the 485kW and 563kW outputs of the current Corvette Z06 and the mighty Corvette ZR1.

The best part? Chevy’s supercar is being fixed up with an Australian visa as we speak.

https://www.wheelsmag.com.au/news/18...bo-v8-flagship

[Bossxr8]

Since when is the corvette coming here? HSV are doing the Camaro, not the vette.

[383hq]

They'll do everything they can to get the Corvette here
Positioning the corvette nicely between the GTR price point and the Porsche turbo leaves a lot of profit margin to play with.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by 383hq

They'll do everything they can to get the Corvette here
Positioning the corvette nicely between the GTR price point and the Porsche turbo leaves a lot of profit margin to play with.

It’ll be a $200 g plus conversation. AND it’ll be a conversion not at a OEM manufactured build.

Good luck with that.

[383hq]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

It’ll be a $200 g plus conversation. AND it’ll be a conversion not at a OEM manufactured build.

Good luck with that.

Only if it's not factory engineered for RHD & LHD

Not hard to imagine a car manufacturer thinking globally

And with Aus mark ups on labour and profit, and a little competitor analysis, you're probably a bit light on your estimate

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

It’ll be a $200 g plus conversation. AND it’ll be a conversion not at a OEM manufactured build.

Good luck with that.

Surprising what the well heeled "look at me" crowd will spend.
There are Dodge Demons being converted here now and the owners are coughing up $260k.

[CoupeKing]

Originally Posted by Pedro

Surprising what the well heeled "look at me" crowd will spend.
There are Dodge Demons being converted here now and the owners are coughing up $260k.

I Wonder how that 220k vette would go Vs a 220k GTSR W1, in terms of performance? Maybe start with the Camaro first.

As for the Demon being 250k+ that doesn't surprise me at all if you consider the 2015 (?) Hellcats were for the most part going for 170-200k here.

Test the waters.

[HO 3]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

I Wonder how that 220k vette would go Vs a 220k GTSR W1, in terms of performance? Maybe start with the Camaro first.

As for the Demon being 250k+ that doesn't surprise me at all if you consider the 2015 (?) Hellcats were for the most part going for 170-200k here.

Test the waters.

The arrival here of the 150k Trackhawk has just handed the W1 its own a#%e on a platter, plus it's also quicker than the Hellcat.

Cheers Mick

[383hq]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

It’ll be a $200 g plus conversation. AND it’ll be a conversion not at a OEM manufactured build.

Good luck with that.

Details:
https://www.caradvice.com.au/881030/...esting-report/

[383hq]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

It’ll be a $200 g plus conversation. AND it’ll be a conversion not at a OEM manufactured build.

Good luck with that.

-Prices announced at $149K
-"Allegedly price is up from planned $129K due demand (not Holden closure costs)

Given the Mustang Mach 1 starts at $83k, and there's a nice gap to the Nissan GTR/Porsche, I'm tipping the mid engine V8 will sell all 200 of its annual quota pretty quickly

One things for sure, with the cops and the condition of the roads, I'd sure want access to a front axle lift and a race track...

https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/202...cing-confirmed

[XR6Runner]

I honestly don't think they'll make a mid engine corvette. Its all just rumors for now...

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by XR6Runner

I honestly don't think they'll make a mid engine corvette. Its all just rumors for now...

Is it? Seems to be a bit more than that with all the leaks and spy photos.
Just like any other car coming to market. It seems to have a bit more substance than just rumors.

https://www.motor1.com/news/224889/m...tte-follow-up/

[stig_3754]

I could be wrong but I thought I read somewhere (can't remember where now) that the next gen Corvette was to be built in RHD from factory?

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by stig_3754

I could be wrong but I thought I read somewhere (can't remember where now) that the next gen Corvette was to be built in RHD from factory?

The link to the wheels story from mid last year is in that article.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by stig_3754

I could be wrong but I thought I read somewhere (can't remember where now) that the next gen Corvette was to be built in RHD from factory?

It won’t be. That was just ridiculous assumptions based on nothing by flog journos like toby hagon.

[minheim]

Originally Posted by stig_3754

I could be wrong but I thought I read somewhere (can't remember where now) that the next gen Corvette was to be built in RHD from factory?

Given GM has exited RHD markets globally, it is hard to see why they would bother doing so. The potential number of sales in Australia would not warrant the expense. Camaro as not set the market on fire here so doubt a corvette could get sufficient traction even for conversion.

[383hq]

some more spy pics
http://www.motortrend.com/news/spied...e-prototype-07

Guess we all wait to see whether the standard design brief to carry two golf bags+ clubs now includes a Left and Right steerer

I remember the carry on when tradition was broken with the pop up head lights. Purists were screaming.
I can only imagine the carry on with an engine relocation

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by 383hq

some more spy pics
http://www.motortrend.com/news/spied...e-prototype-07

Guess we all wait to see whether the standard design brief to carry two golf bags+ clubs now includes a Left and Right steerer

I remember the carry on when tradition was broken with the pop up head lights. Purists were screaming.
I can only imagine the carry on with an engine relocation

From what i have heard the front engine vette will continue alongside the mid engined model. The mid engined one will move up into the supercar price range and the front engined one will continue to compete where it is now. And some are suggesting it may even be cadillac badged and not a chevy corvette.

[solarite_guy]

It will be like the end of the roadsters at Indy.

[jpd80]

All of this shows just how much thought and preparation went into making Mustang available in RHD,
The Holden crowd dismissed it as a one hit wonder with maybe 5,000 sales, meanwhile +15,000 sale later..

I wouldn't worry about LHD conversions of Corvette until someone announces something concrete,
they are more expensive and thus, fewer people will be willing to pay the premium, some will but is
that enough to justify a major project over what current importers do?

[383hq]

More photos, less camo
https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2018/02...te-spy-photos/

[383hq]

https://www.motoring.com.au/australi...-outed-111964/

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by 383hq

https://www.motoring.com.au/australi...-outed-111964/

from this article
Marking a move that will position it closer to European competitors including the Ferrari 488 GTB, McLaren 720S, Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan, the next Corvette’s adoption of a mid-mounted V8 has been the subject of persistent rumours since 2015.

[CoupeKing]

[Vesper Martini]

Mid engine twin turbo Vette - its really moving into Supercar territory

I guess it has featured at Le mans


Here It will be $600K plus competing with Ferarri's. Not GTR's let alone fancy Commodores

[383hq]

Can't be far away from a formal confirmation now...
Beautiful big side ducts !

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2018/...e-upcoming-c8/

[383hq]

GM registers "Zora" trademark name in Australia. Zora is most likely the name for the new mid engine C8

http://autonationdrive.com/mid-engine-corvette-zora/

[MethodX]

Good stuff, hope it is a kick *** machine and comes to Aus.
Would be cool if they use the Zora name.

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Would be cool if they use the Zora name.

That would be a fitting tribute.

[Polyal]

I do love a corvette, all of them really, its their flagship so perhaps a move to give the Ford GT a run.