Corvette (C7) [Spy Shots] 2013 C7 Corvette

[Merc1]

I can't wait to see this. If they could only get the interior and seats right, they'd have some consideration outside of Detroit.


M

 

[Levi68]

^+1

 

[Levi68]

Chevrolet is making huge news today, revealing most all of the details about its new, fifth-generation Small Block V8 engine – dubbed LT1 – the very mill that will power the upcoming 2014 Corvette. Note that we'll be updating this post all morning as the information keeps streaming in, so check back often.

Preliminary numbers suggest no less than 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque.

The Corvette's new LT1 V8 engine is, no surprise here, set to make the car very competitive within its class. Preliminary numbers suggest no less than 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for the 6.2-liter engine, as well as an estimated 0-60 mile per hour time of less than 4.0 seconds when installed in the base C7. To put those numbers in perspective a bit: The LT1 not only has a far higher specific output than the 6.2-liter LS3 that it replaces – up at least 20 hp and 26 lb-ft – but its torque is seemingly competitive with that of the 7.0-liter LS7 that lives in the heart of the current Corvette Z06.

With all that power and accelerative performance, Chevy engineers are still keeping fuel economy in mind – with the help of cylinder deactivation, the new Corvette powerplant is expected to deliver more than 26 miles per gallon on the highway, though figures for city driving are still unknown. The new small block also benefits from the latest advanced engine tech like direct injection, continuously variable valve technology and a relatively high 11.5:1 compression ratio, all while coming in a claimed 40-pounds lighter and four inches shorter than the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 by BMW. Chevy also notes that while premium fuel is recommended, it is not required with the LT1. We're also told that a dry sump oil system is optional (a traditional wet sump unit is standard).

GM is calling the LT1 its most advanced combustion system ever. The company analyzed literally hundreds of systems to get to this final product, including crunching over 6 million hours of CPU time dedicated to combustion system optimization, and nearly 10 million hours when combustion, structure, cooling systems, lubrication and vent systems are factored in. In fact, the motor and its systems are so advanced that an academic SAE paper is being written to explain the whole shebang. The engine will also be built at the company's 75-year-old Tonawanda plant, which happens to be where Chevy's original small block V8 was produced way back in 1955.

 

[Merc1]

Can't wait to see this. I pray GM has done it right!


M

 

[Sunny]

When 996, E46 M3 and C5 vette were all launched I believe a year or so of each other the figures were roughly - Vette - 350HP, 911 - 300HP and M3 343HP.

 

[Michael]

This car is going to be insane. I took an interest recently because there seems to be very little information out there on an accurate leak of what the car will look like. I thought it was easier to get actual pictures of the car when it was a GM car.

 

[Sunny]

When 996, E46 M3 and C5 vette were all launched I believe a year or so of each other the figures were roughly - Vette - 350HP, 911 - 300HP and M3 343HP.

One more data point, F360 - which came out roughly the same time (1999) as C5 (1997) and 996 (1998) - made 400HP. Now the equivalent Ferrari makes a whopping 570HP.

 

[Michael]

EMpower I was just going to post that link! lol. thanks!

 

[Soup]

 

[Merc1]

I will be standing right there when the sheet comes off in January. Can't wait. I hope the interior is up to the price tag now.

M

 

[rollo]

They just have to get the interior right this time. I remian hopeful.

 

[Guibo]

 

[Sunny]

Not digging the front end or the GTR style A pillars - if that indeed is the real deal. Between all the leaks and preview tests and ride alongs and chops, I can't tell anymore when/if a new car is actually released.

 

[K-A]

Definitely the least American or "future Classic in mind" styled Vette yet.

IMO looks way too Japanese, too much like a GTR.

 

[rollo]

^

Too early to reach such a conclusion from an illustration.

 

[Sunny]

^

Too early to reach such a conclusion from an illustration.

When I saw the first pic of the magazine cover, I thought it was the real deal only later did I realize it was probably just another render. Or at least let us hope so.

 

[skbmw]

Is the body still elastic plastic? Or was it only the Z06 that had a elastic plastic body? One of the major reasons why I never considered getting one although I'm in the U.S.

 

[Merc1]

^^ If it really did look like that I would have to consider one down the road. WOW.

M

 

[rollo]

We will know soon about the exterior design. The interior video tease looks promising!

 

[Sunny]

A diagram already leaked -

What little you can see I think it looks promising. You can see a bigger pic in the insideline.com front page.