Autoweek Calls for a Twin Turbo V6 Powered C7 Corvette

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1990

Autoweek Calls for a Twin Turbo V6 Powered C7 Corvette

Autoweek, through its sister publication Automotive News, included some future product news for Chevrolet in yesterday’s News Brake which includes a couple nuggets on the C7 Corvette. The podcast tells us nothing new and I’m having flashbacks to Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter’s rant back in April when he called out the automotive magazines for making up stories which contain pure speculation and no facts to support the argument. Now that I’ve set the table, let’s see what Autoweek is serving.

Yes, 2013 will be the year the Corvette turns 60, and we heard early on that the target for the C7 was initially 2012 as a 2013 model. Autoweek says that timeframe is just a little too early and anticipates that a 2014 release is more likely. Why, isn’t 2014 the 30th anniversary of the C4? It sure is, and if history serves us correct, that Corvette was also destined to be released on the 30th anniversary of the 1953 Corvette, but production delays pushed it back far enough for it to become a 1984 model year. So don’t expect GM to get all misty-eyed over these anniversary dates. They’ll release the C7 when its ready.

Autoweek also reports the new Corvette will be powered by a twin turbo V6. With so much hay being made about a V6-powered Corvette, I do wonder if this an attempt to get us comfortable with the idea of a smaller displacement engine. I would say most enthusiasts still believe the V8 is a requirement, but I disagree. The only real requirement is that the C7 Corvette must provide owners with a bullet-proof powertrain that can dominate higher end sports cars like the current configuration does today. In the end, if engineers go with a V6 that is turbo-charged or supercharged and can blow the doors of a Porsche, what does it matter?

From a speculative standpoint, the V6-powered Corvette is an interesting narrative that sparks dialog and contention whenever its mentioned. Combined with recent revelations from a Saab engineer about a dual-clutch transmission for a twin turbo V6, it’s just one of the major C7 plotlines that will be around until GM proves otherwise.


Source:
Autoweek

Related:
[RUMOR] UK Blog Quotes Saab Engineer: Mid-Engined Corvette Confirmed
Motor Trend: C7 Corvette to Debut with New 5.5L 440 hp V8 Powerplant
[VIDEO] Tadge Juechter Talks About the C7 Corvette; Calls Out Automobile Magazine for Misinformation

 



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11 COMMENTS

  1. i disagree. no v6! follow me here, corvette comes out in 53 with the slow but durable blueflame inline 6 fast foward and we got v8s. then we had our choice of v8s including a big block. then those days were gone as you can only have 2 enginge choices. displacement keeps getting smaller. now go to the future. do you really want to deal with turbo lag and opening your hood to see a bunch of sewer pipe and a dinky v6? bottom line is in america, the old america when it was good anyway, BIGGER IS BETTER. corvette needs to stick with its roots. imo.(gets off soapbox)

  2. I cannot ever fathom a V6 in a Corvette. The day a V6 comes out in a Corvette will be , to me, the day the Corvette died. I’m so glad I have one with a V8. Talk about making the existing V8 ones more valuable….

  3. It may be time for a change in the Corvette and I don’t think a V6 is necessarily the wrong direction. Does a small (less than 5.5 liter) V8 really make sense when you could do the same with a V6? Besides that, twin turbochargers are sexy in their own right and will give the car plenty of performance. Imagine a Nissan GTR engine in a C6 Z06 body, but sleeker, lighter and lower. Doesn’t sound like a bad recipe for a real sports car versus just a straight line bruiser.

  4. V6 would be great to offer, but a reworked V8 (a-la Ford’s new 5.0) would be better. Keep the V8 for those who really care about the number of cylinders, but put more money & technology into the engine – just look at Hyundai’s new 2.0 L four-pot. Apples to oranges, but with DOHC, VVT, and now direct injection a smaller engine (4.0 or 4.5?) could produce the same 400 horsepower that the base 6.2 L LS3 cranks out today without turbo lag or a “bunch of sewer pipe”. A new LT engine line may be just the ticket, and already in the works – the new C6.R is running a 5.5 L and with the move to GT2 class it has to have more production-based content than the GT1 class C6.R did.

  5. Having been into Corvettes since 1957…..in my opinion this drawing is one butt ugly attempt at a Corvette….if C7 looks anything like this I won’t be buying any more new Corvettes

  6. V6 twin turbo? No Way!!! There is a very good reason that Team Corvette tests and transfers their technology from the ALMS Corvettes to the road cars, what better way to prove endurance and reliability… So based on that the next generation Vette will have the 5.5 Litre DI V8, possibly a front mid-engine at best, and since they are not currently using a dual-clutch tranny, not likely to be in the road car either…

  7. A smallblock without all the plumbing would be much more reliable and if you did want to go forced induction the new blower setup is much more compact and self contained. Hell if Edelbrock can package a E-Force supercharger kit for the LS3 that will push it to 599 flywheel horsepower and 547 ft./lbs. of torque for around 7 grand retail, I’m pretty sure GM can do the same. And it fits under the current stock hood so that wouldn’t have to change either. Keep the smallblock; make it smaller if necessary but keep it.

    http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/superchargers/corvette/

  8. not to mention the sound! what makes your blood boil and your heart pump more, duals on a v8 or thatt…….sound… a 6 banger makes?? come on guys v8 all the way!

  9. That guy who thinks that the V-6 out of that butt ugly Nissan GTR, would be great for the Corvette, is thoroughly confused. He said lighter! He might want to weigh the Nissan’s engine with all the turbos, plumbing and intercoolers and compare that to the weight of a GM aluminum LS3 or LS7. Furthermore, there is nothing better sounding than the roar of a V-8 on full military; certainly not a 6 cylinder engine, (by the way, I have owned 3 Porsche 911’s). It would be OK if they need to reduce displacement to go to a faster turning V-8, a la Ferrari, etc, but I believe the target market for the Vette is not very receptive to any V-6! I am sure not!

  10. The V8 in the Jetstream Blue C7 on this page – yeah!!! Not really liking the V6 idea. I currently have a 2008 Z51 Jetstream Blue Coupe, the Jetstream Blue C7 pictured with a V8 is the way to go. I just might have 2 Jetstream Blue Vettes in my future. Okay I’m better now. SKP

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