Corvette Forum has scored three coups in the past month concerning Chevrolet’s next-generation sports car. The latest leak is a CAD drawing of a longitudinal, DOHC, twin-turbo V8 that could be one of the three rumored powerplants sliding into the mid-engine ‘Vette’s engine bay. In an earlier leak, a detail showing the V8’s turbocharger came labeled as “Gen6 LT7,” leading sleuths to believe this is the sixth-generation of GM’s small-block V8 architecture, dubbed LT7.
As gearhead tweeter Bozi Tatarevic pointed out, the illustrated V8 drawing shares cues with the 3.0-liter, TT V6 LGW engine used in the Cadillac CT6, such as turbocharger placement and belt configuration. The turbos hang on the sides of the engine instead of lying in the V between the cylinder banks, with plumbing running from the turbos up to water-to-air intercoolers atop the banks. That feature is, again, the same as on the Cadillac TT V6. Also of note, it appears
The sharp-edged Corvette has abundant power from its 455-hp, 6.2-liter V8 and an interior worthy of the price. A seven-speed manual is standard, with an eight-speed automatic optional. Drivers with a thirst for more power can opt for the 650-hp Z06. The car’s all-aluminum construction optimizes weight savings and strength. Whether in coupe or convertible form, acceleration is blisteringly quick and handling is pinpoint. With the adjustable driving modes the car can be a fairly refined cruiser or track-ready race car. The seats deliver support and comfort. But you can’t ignore the low-slung cabin, which requires almost acrobatic skills to access; the vague manual shifter; and the omnipresent tire noise. The 460-hp Grand Sport version adds a number of the Z06’s aerodynamic components.
Read the complete Chevrolet Corvette
We are delighted to announce that the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will feature Motor Cars of the Raj, Rollston Custom Coachwork, OSCA, Postwar Custom Citroën, Sporting Vintage Cars and Tucker. We also have another surprise (or two or three!) to unveil in the spring. To learn more about our features and our selection process, read our latest newsletter: http://bit.ly/2iq0e6V
In the early days of the Pirelli World Challenge competition, the C4 Corvettes made up a huge chunk of the GT field, with R.K. Smith driving a Corvette to the first championship under the World Challenge banner in 1990. Corvette still holds the record for the most PWC victories of any model despite the fact that the last victory came in 2013 courtesy of Mike Skeen.
It’s not that there wasn’t such a thing as a Corvette GT3 car; it’s that GM didn’t want any GM GT3 cars competing in the U.S. except its Cadillac. For 2017, GM has suspended the Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3 program, opening the door for a factory backed Corvette GT3 entry. In fact, GM asked Callaway if they would be interested in designing, developing and promoting the Corvette as a commercial racecar candidate to compete against all the contenders.
