New Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to get 671kW
US supercar primed for twin-turbo V8 hybrid and herculean powerThe next Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will come with an advanced twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain that will produce an incredible 900hp (671kW), it has been revealed.
According to
, the performance flagship of the all-new mid-engine C8 Corvette supercar range will see the ZR1 adopt a twin-turbo flat-plane-crank dual-overhead-cam V8 from the new C8.R racer with an additional power-boosting hybrid system.Citing a 'high-placed' source, the US mag says the senior GM official says that the hybrid powertrain will "fill in torque gaps" left by the Z06's V8.
It's not been confirmed whether the ZR1 will share the C8.R's 5.5-litre displacement but the hybrid system is believed to involve packaging a small electric motor between the engine and transmission.
It's rumoured an additional pair of electric motors driving the front wheels will also be adopted, providing all-wheel drive and allowing for torque vectoring to deliver more agile handling.
Mototrend has tipped the engineers will mount the batteries and control modules either in the space found between the seats and the engine or low down in the C8's front boot.
Because there's a lack of space the hybrid system, which has been tuned specifically to boost performance, it will be powered by a compact battery -- so it's unlikely to provide for a pure-electric range.
There's no word on when GM plans to introduce its new ZR1 but it could be as soon as late next year.
The standard Corvette, meanwhile, is set to arrive at selected Holden dealerships in Australia from late 2020 or early 2021.
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