{"id":25262,"date":"2020-04-28T21:13:22","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T01:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=25262"},"modified":"2020-04-28T21:13:22","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T01:13:22","slug":"payne-corvette-c8-to-get-three-high-performance-trims-but-expect-delays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/payne-corvette-c8-to-get-three-high-performance-trims-but-expect-delays","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Corvette C8 to get three high-performance trims \u2014 but expect delays"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-1 p-text\">The mid-engine Chevy Corvette C8 is the most capable &#8216;Vette ever. You ain&#8217;t seen nothing yet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-2 p-text\">General Motors Co. is planning to\u00a0introduce three high-performance cyborgs in the next few years, according to insiders familiar with the plans who weren&#8217;t authorized to speak and a GM note to suppliers that was obtained by The Detroit News.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-SqLNlfL8AU8\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/04\/21\/PDTN\/6448505b-d9ab-4ce7-a3bc-ff921d8884cd-roar_corvette-gray.JPG?width=540&amp;height=&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The Corvette Z06 will share the same, 5.5-liter, flat-plane crank engine as the Corvette C8.R race car. At the Daytona Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach last January, the #4 Corvette C8.R driven by Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, and Marcel F\u00e4ssler set fast time.\" width=\"540\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/04\/21\/PDTN\/6448505b-d9ab-4ce7-a3bc-ff921d8884cd-roar_corvette-gray.JPG\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/04\/21\/PDTN\/6448505b-d9ab-4ce7-a3bc-ff921d8884cd-roar_corvette-gray.JPG\" \/>The Corvette Z06 will share the same, 5.5-liter, flat-plane crank engine as the Corvette C8.R race car. At the Daytona Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach last January, the #4 Corvette C8.R driven by Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, and Marcel F\u00e4ssler set fast time.\u00a0<span class=\"credit\">(Photo: Chevrolet, Chevrolet)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Those performance variants include a 1,000-horsepower, all-wheel drive, hybrid hypercar expected to be designated\u00a0Zora. The model is\u00a0named after Zora Arkus-Duntov, the legendary &#8220;godfather of the Corvette&#8221; who developed the first mid-engine Corvette prototype back in 1960. That&#8217;s in addition to the Z06 and ZR1 variants featured on past front-engine models.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Each car will introduce Corvette&#8217;s first-ever dual-overhead cam, flat-plane crank engines, the 5.5-liter LT6 and LT7. Compared to the traditional push-rod\u00a0small-block V-8 in the standard C8 \u2014\u00a0and the previous, front-engine generation\u00a0\u2014\u00a0the new\u00a0design allows\u00a0the engine to breathe better and spin to higher revs. The technology is found in some Ferraris supercars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The LT6 scheduled for the Z06 is normally\u00a0aspirated,\u00a0according to industry sources. The\u00a0LT7 variant for the ZR1 gains twin turbochargers for more horsepower, they say.\u00a0The engines are similar to the high-revving V-8 found in the Corvette C8.R race cars that debuted at Daytona last January.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-SqLNlfLKYZQ\" class=\"story-asset gallery-asset\">\n<div class=\"sidebar-gallery-btn active\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"companion-story-gallery js-llc companion-story-gallery0\" data-name=\"compStoryGallery\">\n<div class=\"companion-galleries embedded_story hasendslate galleries\" data-gallery-id=\"4631331002\" data-title=\"Corvette C8.R debut at 24 Hours of Daytona\" data-seo-title=\"Corvette C8.R debut at 24 Hours of Daytona\" data-ssts=\"business\" data-cst=\"money\" data-published-date=\"2020-02-01T05:29:22.985Z\" data-gal-pageurl=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/picture-gallery\/business\/2020\/02\/01\/corvette-c-8-r-debut-24-hours-daytona\/4631331002\/\">\n<div class=\"viewport gallery-viewport\">\n<div class=\"slide gallery-viewport-slide  active\">\n<div class=\"gallery-photo-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gallery-photo  gallery-photo-first\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/02\/01\/PDTN\/e8b71787-e628-4c95-8a3d-4a69db60dbd0-vette_racer-production-infield.jpg?width=520&amp;height=390&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The production Corvette C8 (center) with the C8.R race car in in the infield course at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.\" data-mycapture-src=\"\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"\" data-large-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/02\/01\/PDTN\/e8b71787-e628-4c95-8a3d-4a69db60dbd0-vette_racer-production-infield.jpg?width=1920&amp;height=1440&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" data-id=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-photo-border\">\n<p class=\"p-text\">The\u00a0mid-mounted LT7 is expected be mated with an electric motor up front in the Zora hypercar to give it an extra boost totaling\u00a0up to 1,000 horsepower that&#8217;s channeled through all-wheel drive, industry sources say.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">That&#8217;s the good news. The bad news is that, according to GM&#8217;s\u00a0note to suppliers, the performance models will be indefinitely delayed due to the coronavirus crisis. The Z06 was originally scheduled for model year 2022, the ZR1 for 2024, and the Zora for 2025. The delay has also impacted other GM\u00a0vehicle programs including refreshes on pickups, Chevrolet SUVs, Cadillac V-series Blackwing models and the electric Chevy Bolt hatchback.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">A GM spokesperson had no comment on the company&#8217;s Corvette plans. On production delays, a statement from the automaker\u00a0said: \u201cAs you would expect under these unprecedented circumstances, all of our development teams are looking for opportunities to conserve resources. We are not canceling any programs, but we are making some adjustments.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/02\/26\/PDTN\/7381e1b0-3e09-41ee-aa50-8ec43eb28899-c8_track-blue.JPG?width=520&amp;height=390&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The inherent balance of the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray encourages drivers to push it harder through high-g corners.\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div><h3 class=\"presto-h3\">Corvette Z06<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The 5.5-liter LT6\u00a0engine that debuts in the Z06 will be distinguished by its\u00a0Ferrari-like shriek thanks to that new\u00a0dual-overhead cam, flat-plane crank powerplant that&#8217;s expected to spin at up to 8,000 rpms.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/autos\/general-motors\/2019\/10\/10\/mid-engine-corvette-c-8-r-race-car-makes-its-debut\/3928031002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-track-label=\"inline|intext|n\/a\">That shriek was heard<\/a>\u00a0at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona\u00a0in January aboard the C8.R race cars that finished fourth and seventh.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/autos\/general-motors\/2019\/10\/10\/mid-engine-corvette-c-8-r-race-car-makes-its-debut\/3928031002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-track-label=\"inline|intext|n\/a\">The LT6 is similar to the 5.5-liter engine in the C8.R<\/a>\u00a0that is restricted to 500 horsepower by IMSA sports-car racing rules.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Those rules require that the race engine appear in a production car, which News sources say are the performance variants. One source\u00a0expects the Z06 engine to make about 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The modern LT6 is an advance forward for a badge\u00a0that has heretofore used push-rod engine\u00a0technology shared with V-8 Chevy trucks.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/autos\/general-motors\/2019\/07\/12\/long-awaited-mid-engine-corvette-c-8-premieres-thursday\/1698649001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-track-label=\"inline|intext|n\/a\">The standard 490-horsepower\u00a0C8<\/a>\u00a0on sale now is equipped with an updated version of the push-rod V-8 called the LT2.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The last-generation front-engine Corvette C7 drew its\u00a0power from a 6.2-liter\u00a0LT1 V-8 that developed 460\u00a0horsepower and\u00a0465 pound-feet\u00a0of\u00a0torque. The Z06 and ZR1 versions of the C7 were powered by LT4 and LT5 engines making 650 and 755\u00a0horsepower respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The 2020 Corvette stickers for $59,995 and has sold out until the 2021 model year. In addition to the high-performance Z06, ZR1, and Zora models, the standard C8 is due for a track-focused, 2023 Grand Sport model with a similar LT2 engine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The last-generation front-engine\u00a0Z06 started at $81,775.<\/p>\n<p><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/01\/07\/PDTN\/5943c7ea-b794-41b1-8861-4c83ed4aed10-roar_corvette-gray-side.jpg?width=520&amp;height=390&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The Corvette C8.R #4 driven by Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner and Marcel F\u00e4ssler at the Daytona Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The C8.R is Corvette's first mid-engine race car.\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div><h3 class=\"presto-h3\">Corvette ZR1<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Originally due in model-year 2024 before delays, the ZR1 will be stuffed with the LT7 V-8\u00a0which adds twin turbochargers to the 5.5-liter LT6 for more power, industry sources say. The LT7 puts to rest rumors that a variant of Cadillac&#8217;s 4.2-liter V-8 Blackwing engine \u2014 orphaned\u00a0by the Cadillac CT6-V, which has ceased production \u2014 would find its way into the Corvette.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The LT7 is expected to put out about 850 horsepower and 825 pound-feet of torque. It will\u00a0be mated to the same dual-clutch\u00a0Tremec automatic\u00a0transmission found in the standard C8 and the Z06, according to the supplier\u00a0note.\u00a0The Tremec is Corvette&#8217;s first quick-shifting\u00a0dual-clutch transmission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The previous front-engine ZR-1 achieved its 755\u00a0horses with a supercharger.<\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-SqLNlfKo5wk\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/02\/26\/PDTN\/93fadf84-eb30-49a3-a04f-ac3f1d1031b7-c8_valley.JPG?width=540&amp;height=&amp;fit=bounds&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is scheduled to get three high-performance variants: the Z06, ZR1, and hypercar Zora.\" width=\"540\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/02\/26\/PDTN\/93fadf84-eb30-49a3-a04f-ac3f1d1031b7-c8_valley.JPG\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/02\/26\/PDTN\/93fadf84-eb30-49a3-a04f-ac3f1d1031b7-c8_valley.JPG\" \/>The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is scheduled to get three high-performance variants: the Z06, ZR1, and hypercar Zora.\u00a0<span class=\"credit\">(Photo: Henry Payne, The Detroit News)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"presto-h3\">Zora<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/autos\/general-motors\/2016\/08\/04\/sources-mid-engine-corvette-due\/88054852\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-track-label=\"inline|intext|n\/a\">The long-rumored hypercar\u00a0<\/a>is real according to sources, and was initially scheduled for 2025 before delays. When\u00a0the News\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/autos\/general-motors\/2016\/08\/04\/sources-mid-engine-corvette-due\/88054852\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-track-label=\"inline|intext|n\/a\">broke news of a mid-engine Corvette in 2016<\/a>, sources said electrification was a key factor\u00a0in moving the engine rearward\u00a0so\u00a0the sports car could take advantage of rapidly evolving hybrid-electric capabilities found in European supercars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Meant to honor the engineer whose mid-engine dream was finally realized 70 years after it was first conceived, the Zora is expected to dial in an estimated\u00a01,000 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque, according to one source. The twin-turbo LT7 will achieve its added power thanks to the\u00a0electric motor mounted up front.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">In concert with an all-wheel drive system to better maintain traction, the combination should make for\u00a0under face-flattening\u00a0zero-60 launches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The 900-horsepower club is rare air, occupied by limited-production, million-dollar-plus hybrid hypercars\u00a0like the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1\u00a0and Koenigsegg Regera.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">In line with the C8&#8217;s &#8220;affordable supercar&#8221; mantra, expect the Zora to match its European competition with similar performance and state-of-the-art interior technology for a much lower price.<\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-viewport-meta meta\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-hover\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallery-thumbs thumbs\" data-name=\"compGalleryThumbs\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; The mid-engine Chevy Corvette C8 is the most capable &#8216;Vette ever. You ain&#8217;t seen nothing yet. General Motors Co. is planning to\u00a0introduce three high-performance cyborgs in the next few years, according to insiders familiar with the plans who weren&#8217;t authorized to speak and a GM note to suppliers that was obtained by The Detroit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25262"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25262"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25263,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25262\/revisions\/25263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}