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C8 Corvette ZR1 Rumored To Produce 805 Horsepower, New Report Indicates

By Sam McEachern on April 23, 2021

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A new report published by Australian automotive publication Wheels Magazine may shed more light on the powertrain that will power the upcoming C8 Corvette ZR1.

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According to Wheels, the C8 Corvette ZR1 will feature a twin-turbocharged version of the naturally aspirated 5.5L flat-plane crank V8 that will appear in the C8 Corvette Z06 – itself a variation of the 5.5L V8 motor that powers the Corvette C8.R race car. The publication says the twin-turbo 5.5L V8 engine will be dubbed LT7 and will produce up to 805 horsepower and 848 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission will route the internal combustion engine’s power to the rear wheels.

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The new Wheels report also goes into detail on the C8 Corvette ZR1’s chassis and bodywork. The future model variant will allegedly get wider front and rear tracks, Corvette C8.R-inspired aerodynamic elements, sticky Michelin tires and available carbon fiber wheels. Massive carbon-ceramic brake rotors and hugely powerful 10-piston front brake rotors will help bring the widebody package to a stop. Additionally, Wheels says the ZR1 will only be available with a removable hardtop roof – a departure from the C7 Corvette, which was available in both coupe and soft top convertible body styles. The cabin will apparently feature lightweight performance seats as well.

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We have yet to see other C8 Corvette model variants that will come before the ZR1, like the hybrid E-Ray and track-ready Z06 for example, so it will be quite a while before we receive any official information on this rumored new twin-turbo beast. For that reason, we’d take this intel with a grain of salt – although it’s interesting to see the rumor mill churning for the ZR1 so far ahead of its expected market arrival later this decade.

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