Enter the Rumormill: 2012 C7 Corvette ZR1 with twin-turbo V6
While the world watches in awe as the Corvette ZR1 wretches the performance crown from its competitors, some people are already concerning themselves with its successor. How could GM possibly improve on its best 'Vette yet? Popular Mechanics speculated on what the 2012 Corvette could have in store, and some of the answers they've dug up are a bit surprising. Dual clutch gearboxes? Nope. Mid-engine? Nope. How about losing a few cylinders? Heresy! Before all of the V8 loyalists get their panties in a bunch, remember that you can do a lot with a twin-turbo six. While the Nissan GT-R is the latest example of huge pressure-induced horsepower from a six, the Jaguar XJ220 and past Noble efforts have proven the engine configuration more than adequate. While we don't have any problem with the idea of a high-boost 3.6-liter direct-injection sixer, we know that there's still plenty of room for a range-topping V8 engine and we feel confident that America's preeminent sportscar will soldier on with one -- at the very least -- as an option.
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Wally 2:07PM (8/20/2008)
They may not have a choice with the new CAFE standards but i would be surprised if they call it a "Corvette".
Pure speculation - They start pricing the Vette so high that the lower volume doesn't contribute as much to CAFE and they create a new/transition the Camaro into the Turbo 6 position. That way they still preserve the V8 Heritage but utilize a CAFE friendly platform.
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John R 2:52PM (8/20/2008)
Corvair?...wait that would have to be mid or rear-engined.
azzo45 3:04PM (8/20/2008)
Check the numbers on performance V6 engines... they are only a few MPG better than V8s! So why drop 2 cylinders over so little "gain"?
The Nissan GT-R is a sweet ride.... but I'll take the awesome engine/ exhaust note of a Chevy V8 over a V6 anything. (JMO)
DKB_SATX 3:13PM (8/20/2008)
What "V8 heritage" are you talking about? The original Corvette had a "Blue Flame" inline-6. While it's been a V8-only car since late '55, there's significant precedent for a 6-cylinder as long as it meets or exceeds performance expectations.
Mike 3:16PM (8/20/2008)
...anyone remember the Pontiac Banshee concept? Time for it to come back, maybe?
azzo45 7:38PM (8/20/2008)
History... the only people that would remember that the Corvette launched with a V6 are dead or in the age demographic NOT buying a new Corvette!!!
The Corvette was not very popular when it launched... some will argue the V8 saved the car (sales boomed when the Vette received the more powerful engine).
For 53 model years the car has had a V8... I'd say 5 DECADES of V8 power= Corvette Heritage (JMO).
AMcA 9:22PM (8/20/2008)
They need to build a true small-block V8. Like the original one, 265 ci. 4.3 L, in modern parlance.
Based on current output of the ZR1's LS7, you could squeeze 442 HP out of such an engine.
How'd you like that in a 2500 lbs car? Would that not be even cooler than current 'Vettes?
If only GM hadn't squandered its fortune, such that imagining such a great 'Vette is unrealistic. They don't have the money to do it.
Carlos 2:07PM (8/20/2008)
Wow a V6 Corvette, no thank you.
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Mike 3:01PM (8/20/2008)
Change that to: "Wow a Corvette, no thank you."
Vette's handle like garbage, doesn't matter how much HP you pack into it.
Aprime 3:07PM (8/20/2008)
Your mom handles like garbage.
Big Rocket 4:15PM (8/20/2008)
@Mike: I wish more car companies would make "garbage" capable of running the Nurburgring in 7:26.4.
MajorGeek 8:24AM (8/23/2008)
Suprised "Mike" is still here. He hates motorcycles and autoblog:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/27/first-ride-2009-harley-davidson-cvo-models/
and apparently now hates icons like the Corvette. Please leave like you threatened.
stefan 2:08PM (8/20/2008)
Who knows, but i realy think GM will stick to V8's.
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PJ 7:49PM (8/20/2008)
Especially because, barring alt-fuel intervention, nothing with with twin turbos and 400+ horsepower is going to make mileage numbers significantly better than the LS-series V8s.
MikeW 2:18PM (8/20/2008)
Sounds like the 2004 Buick Velite concept car, but with direct injection.
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TriShield 2:11PM (8/20/2008)
Not going to happen.
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Torrent 9:34PM (8/20/2008)
I agree. I mean, GM has stuck to V8's for a long time. They shouldn't change engines this far into it. And plus, it won't have that beautiful V8 rumble- and Chevy knows we all love it, so I highly doubt this action will take part in the Corvette's future.
Jim 2:18PM (8/20/2008)
"Wretches?!"
Jesus, did all the editors quit or something? (BTW, "it's" is a contraction.)
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xpolarx 2:50PM (8/20/2008)
You're right about wretches...I don't know what they were going for there...perhaps wrenches. But 'its' is not a contraction in this context. It's a possessive pronoun. Sorry...just doing what a magazine editor compulsively does.
gotsmart 2:51PM (8/20/2008)
"Wretch"?
I think you meant "wrest". Or maybe "wrench".
But "wretch" is definitely wrong.
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I think the growing trend of forced-induction smaller/more efficient/direct-injection engines is great progress. More horsepower per litre of displacement!