A new video of a camouflaged car being put through its paces at the Nurburgring has revealed the car's soundtrack for the first time, and provides further evidence that GM is focused on more than just straight line performance for this transformative model.
This latest reveal follows earlier spy photographs, which confirmed years of rumours that the next generation of America’s sports car, due on sale in late 2019, would undergo the most radical change in the car’s 65-year history. Its sharper, cab-forward shape was seen for the first time, after the heavy black cladding of earlier development cars was shed.
In a further break with tradition, the new Corvette, known by its C8 model code, will be sold alongside a version of the current car. Sources inside General Motors, which owns the Chevrolet brand, indicate that we can expect a slightly revised version of the existing C7 as an entry-level alternative. Although the C8 will carry a price premium over its front-engined sibling, it will be sold at a price that significantly undercuts the junior supercars offered by other manufacturers.
There will be no surprise in the choice of launch powerplant, with the C8 set to reach the market using a developed version of General Motor’s current LT-spec 6.2-litre V8. Although this engine still uses pushrods, and will be unable to match the low-down torque of turbocharged alternatives, the all-alloy unit has many virtues: it is light, responsive, relatively cheap to build and able to generate around 500bhp with little work.
It also gives a clear connection between the radical new car and the front-engined Corvette that will continue in production. This could be advantageous given the existing car has an older and more conservative buying profile than other sports cars in the US.
Punchier powerplants are a certainty, however — especially given GM’s history of offering faster variants soon after the launch of a base car.
Media in the US have reported that these will include a newly developed overhead camshaft V8, set to be sold in both naturally aspirated and twin-turbo forms, the latter sure to produce at least as much as the 745bhp of the current supercharged Corvette ZR1. Beyond that, a hybrid version will add an electrically powered front axle to the mix, potentially giving a total system output approaching 1000bhp.
Another big change will be a new twin-clutch transaxle gearbox, developed by transmission supplier Tremec and effectively removing the option of a conventional manual version — a significant shift given the relatively high percentage of current Corvettes that are still
sold with a clutch pedal.
sold with a clutch pedal.
Like its rivals from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren, the new Corvette will display its mid-mounted engine through a glass cover.
by Mike Duff
11 September 2018
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2019-corvette-c8-caught-video-testing-mid-engined-shape-nurburgring
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