[1]
Now that the C7 Corvette has graced us with its presence on this planet, enthusiasts are already looking ahead to the seventh-generation versions of the the Z06 and ZR1. Rightfully so. Now that the Gen-V powerplants are picking up where the LS-Series leaves off, there needs to be replacements for the LS7 and LS9, respectively. You really didn’t think that GM was going to be satisfied with the “estimated” 450 HP Stingray alone, did you?
[2]Oh, C6 ZR1, we love you and we will miss you, but we greatly anticipate your replacement.
Be that as it may, it’s rumored that the follow up models of our fabled “Z” Corvettes will be packing some serious new cojones. According to a report [3] that we heard from our colleagues over at Motor Trend [3], the Z06 will still have a 7.0L V8, but with a rumored 600 HP. Somehow we doubt that it will be an LS7, but rather, a 7-liter version of the new LT1. We imagine it will have direct injection and VVT as well.
The big dog, however, will be a 700 HP replacement for the LS9. That’s an additional 62 HP over the current ZR1 for those of you rusty with your math skills. It’s even rumored to be called LT5, a nod to the DOHC throwback of the ’90s.
With all of the mouth-watering technical advancements that the new entry-level Vette offers, we can’t help but wonder what kind of goodies the Z06, and especially, the ZR1 will have.
Whether you’re on board with the C7’s styling or not, there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s the most technically sophisticated piece of GM craftsmanship that the world has ever seen.