A More Powerful C7 Z06 and ZR1? Hell Yes!

[Rob]

A More Powerful C7 Z06 and ZR1? Hell Yes!

Rob Loszewski, Site Administrator
Corvette Action Center
January 18, 2013

Image Credit: http://spinnerbg.deviantart.com/art/2014-Vette-C7-on-ADV-1-Wheels-by-Spinn3r-350247091

Motor Trend magazine is currently reporting that according to some little birds in Warren, MI, we could see a C7 Z06 and ZR1 with significantly more power.

According to Motor Trend, the Z06 could see as much as a 600hp boost and will retain it's naturally aspirated 7.0L engine.

However, the ZR1 could see as much as 700hp from a supercharged version of the 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray's LT1 engine.

It's safe to say, if any of this is true, chances are the Z06 will be the first to take a bow, and probably not until at least a year after the base model hits showroom floors.

Reference: http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-next-gen-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-could-crack-700-hp-328841.html

 

[Tuna]

I wonder whether Cadillac CTS V is going to be the test bed for a blown LT1 before we see it in the C7 ZR1?

Would be an interesting switch in who gets what first.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I suspect marketing decisions, no doubt influenced by GM politics, will have it going to Corvette. Also, the staus quo will probably remain, ie: the Corvette's supercharged engine will be more powerful than the Caddy's.

 

[Tuna]

I suspect marketing decisions, no doubt influenced by GM politics, will have it going to Corvette. Also, the staus quo will probably remain, ie: the Corvette's supercharged engine will be more powerful than the Caddy's.

Seems like the Caddy ought to get the extra power since it will need to haul around a 4000+ pound car!

 

[Hib Halverson]

Seems like the Caddy ought to get the extra power since it will need to haul around a 4000+ pound car!

The car nut in me totally agrees but that's not reality.

Reality is...

1) Corvette traditionally has usually received GM's most powerful engines. Oh there have been exceptions, such as the rare V6 Turbo used in 80s Buick GN/GNX and in one year of the third generation Firebird and the 455 SD in some early 70s Firebirds, but generally, the Vette has been the Big Dog as far as motors go.

2) From a marketing standpoint, the value of the 2015 Corvette Z06 getting the first application of "LT-whatever", the...oh...about 660-hp, supercharged direct injected 6.2, would be far greater than putting it in a 2015 CTS-V. Look at the worldwide interest in the C7 base car. Consider the "reputation" the Z06 already has in the enthusiast market...it overshadows the CTS-V by a considerable margin, IMO. That's not to say the CTS-V hasn't enhanced Cadillac's global reputation as a luxury/performance car maker but it is to say that the Corvette Z06 has greater brand recognition.

No doubt the supercharged GDI V8 will be used in the Cadillac but I really think the Vette will have it first.

PS...the Caddy, along with it's cousin the Camaro, really ought to go on a damn diet.

 

[Tuna]

PS...the Caddy, along with it's cousin the Camaro, really ought to go on a damn diet.

Yes but I can't see that happening since the 3rd generation CTS will be even bigger than the one out now and my V Wagon is just about 4400 pounds. Unless the new CTS uses a lot of the ATS engineering to keep the weight down, it's going to be a heavy weight.

With the ATS V just around the corner, Caddy has a "light-weight" performance sedan coming. The new CTS V will have to contend with the bigger M5 and AMG whatever.

 

[Tuna]

One other thing came to mind on the blown LTx used by the Caddy and the ZR1 - the ZR1 will be dry sump and the Caddy will probably be wet sump as I can't see Caddy creating a dry sump system to fit and work in the CTS V.

 

[Hib Halverson]

One other thing came to mind on the blown LTx used by the Caddy and the ZR1 - the ZR1 will be dry sump and the Caddy will probably be wet sump as I can't see Caddy creating a dry sump system to fit and work in the CTS V.

I'd also think the supercharger on the Cadillac will be, as it is now, smaller than the unit on the Corvette, ie: the Eaton TVS1800 vs the TVS2300

As for the dry sump...well, duh. The Cadillac guys are too old/too afraid to go around corners so fast they need a dry sump.

 

[WhalePirot]

The Cadillac guys are too old/too afraid to go around corners so fast they need a dry sump.

that, there's funny, no matter who ya are. However, the drop in average caddy buyer age has surprised me, given GM and its seemingly well-entrenched politics overriding 'proper' marketing to customers' choices.

 

[1analguy]

...According to Motor Trend, the Z06 could see as much as a 600hp boost and will retain it's naturally aspirated 7.0L engine...

Wow! 1100 hp from a NA 7.0L...now that's impressive.