A new corvette engine going more exotic?

[Joe 1320]

looks like the Corvette pushrod v8 is heading out the door and being replaced by smaller displacement and a more exotic overhead cam and turbo approach. They hint at near 10,000 rpm revs.

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/next-cor...turbo-v-8.html


"GM has approved the use of a very European-style V-8 that will be only slightly larger than 3 liters in displacement. The engine will be an overhead-cam, rather than traditional overhead-valve design, using a dry sump oil system that’s particularly well suited to high-performance road courses rather than straight-line acceleration. The engine is expected to feature a narrow 80.5 mm bore and a long stroke, more like a Ferrari or Lamborghini powertrain than the approach used for traditional Motor City metal.

A very senior GM executive also confirmed that the new engine will be turbocharged, which will help yield a broad torque curve and maximum performance under a variety of driving conditions. The engine is expected to deliver in excess of 400 horsepower, which means a specific output in the range of 125 horsepower per liter. That’s the sort of number that would help the next-generation Vette stack up well against the likes of a Porsche 911 or Lamborghini Gallardo.

The engine is likely to be extremely high-revving, perhaps climbing to a near-Formula One-class 10,000 RPMs, suggested one source involved in the project."

[Dave-S]

I would think an engine like that is a lot more costly to produce than the current LS motors. I am guessing they are getting significant MPG gains out of it as well or otherwise they wouldn't be making it.

[markd79ta]

Based on this statement,


"The revelation tracks in line with a recent comment by General Motors’ North American President Mark Reuss, who recently promised that the so-called C7 Corvette, due to market in less than two years, will be “completely different” from the very American sports cars that have come before it."

This car sounds like something I could care less about!!!

[Joshu]

THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT!!!!

And what is with this ricer math using HP per liter?

[Christopherrr]

Sounds like the Vette is moving even more out of reach...

I don't know how I feel about the direction they're headed to.

[Black97]

THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT!!!!

Amen to that !!

[Joe 1320]

THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT!!!!

There might be........



Turbos can do some wicked things. Who would have thought that 231 cubic inches would put such a smack down on high performance cars. Not just the HP either, the torque can be monsterous.

[FroSSty]

There might be........



Turbos can do some wicked things. Who would have thought that 231 cubic inches would put such a smack down on high performance cars. Not just the HP either, the torque can be monsterous.

I understand where you are coming from. If I had a choice, I would prefer a turbo'd V8...preferably a big block. I'd bet they could make a BB spin to 10k.

[raroZ28]

I read that article earlier, it says that they will be releasing an OHV big block for the traditionalists like us.

[wolfdogs]

we just gotta wait and see..........like always.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

We'll see. High revs cost money and are hard on reliability. They want to build that they can take some lessons from the big 4 motorcycle manufacturers who know how to make those engines last. Actuallly I think it would be cool, but torque is king on the road and horsepower is for bragging rights and is a lot harder to use. Maybe a small engine-twin turbo combination, I'm not sure what else would work for a Vette. I'l stick with my 427 small block that gets 26 mpg thank you very much although a mid-engine Vette would be cool as hell.

[Joe 1320]

With the small displacement, they may be having an eye toward fuel economy. With that small of a V8 and dropping cylinders at cruise, mileage would likely be surprising if the car wasn't overweight.