All articles tagged with #corvette
GM confirms the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, starting at $73,495, can reach 200 mph in base trim thanks to a 6.7L LS6 V-8 producing 535 hp; the Z51 package adds downforce and lowers the top end, so 200 mph is exclusive to the base model. It’s the cheapest new 200 mph car, with the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing at 205 mph as the next closest benchmark—timed to National Corvette Day.
At the 2026 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, JR Hildebrand piloted a 1,250-hp hybrid Corvette ZR1X to win the production class and set a new hybrid-production record on the 12.4-mile, 156-turn ascent, finishing in roughly 9:30.7—about 23 seconds faster than the previous production-car benchmark of 9:53.740 set by a Porsche 911 Turbo S. The day also saw Romain Dumas post the fastest overall time in an EV-based Ford Mustang Mach-E at 8:18.202, but Pikes Peak production rules may exclude hybrids, so the Corvette's status as an outright production record is debated.
The article traces why certain Corvette years never offered convertibles: the 1975 model year went coupe-only amid the oil crisis, horsepower cuts, and rollover-safety concerns; the convertible finally returned in 1986 with the C4, but in far lower numbers than the coupe, and Chevrolet kept a coupe-only stance again for 1997 before reintroducing the convertible with the C5 in 1998. Today, open-top ambitions have waned as buyers shift toward other open-air options, like the Jeep Wrangler, leaving some Corvette years without a drop-top.
Larry Hofer of Raylar Engineering has installed an 8.1-liter big-block in a C8 Corvette and taken it for a highway test, marking the first road runs for this ambitious swap. The 95%-complete build showed a few misfires and a persistent frunk sensor quirk, but the car still ran up to about 90 mph as HOFER plans a future upgrade with a custom intake and individual throttle bodies to blend huge displacement with modern tech.
GM's LS7 is a 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 built on Gen IV small-block tech, produced 2006–2015 for the Corvette Z06 and Camaro Z/28. By oversizing the bore to 4.125 inches and using steel liners, six-bolt mains, deck-plate honing, titanium rods, a forged crank, CNC heads with titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves, and a dry-sump, it delivers 505 hp and 470–481 lb-ft while revving to 7,000 rpm. Hand-assembled at GM's Wixom Performance Build Center, the engine is renowned for power density in a compact package, though valve-guide wear from its 12-degree valve angle prompted warranty fixes. With proper tuning, the block/crank are rated near 1,000 hp and it remains a popular crate engine (~$18k–$20k) and a benchmark for GM performance history.
Post-1970s Clean Air Act and oil crises forced U.S. automakers to curb engine power; the 1975 Corvette produced only 165 hp from its V8, trailing earlier generations and rivals like the 1975 Trans Am, amid price hikes and GM political shifts (including Arkus‑Duntov's retirement). The era also introduced catalytic converters and the switch to unleaded fuel, plus lower compression ratios, all cutting performance. The malaise era hit numerous muscle cars before tech advances in the early 1980s—such as electronic fuel injection and improved engines—started restoring horsepower, a trend that culminated in later high‑performing models.
GM unveils the sixth-gen Small Block LS6 6.7L V8 for the 2027 Corvette lineup, delivering 535 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque with a stroked displacement to 6.7 liters and a 13:1 compression ratio. Through advanced controls, fuel delivery, forged internals, port- and direct-injection, and a new oiling system, the engine improves emissions and fuel economy while maintaining performance, featuring a center-exit exhaust and forged components, and is assembled in Flint, Michigan for the Stingray, Grand Sport, and Grand Sport X.
Chevrolet revives the Grand Sport on the C8 Corvette with a rear‑drive Grand Sport powered by a new 6.7L LS6 V-8 producing 535 hp and 520 lb-ft, paired exclusively with an eight‑speed dual‑clutch, while the Grand Sport X arrives in 2027 as an AWD variant using hybrid tech from the ZR1X to reach 721 hp and add track modes like Qualifying Mode; both models borrow the Z06/ZR1 aero and chassis traits, offer options such as carbon brakes, Cup tires, and a center-exit exhaust, and Chevrolet aims for a base price under $100k for the rear‑drive model, positioning it between the Stingray and Z06 with a broader customization program.
Chevrolet’s Corvette ZR1X uses a mid-mounted hybrid system to deliver about 1,250 hp, a 0–60 time of 1.7 seconds, and a 233 mph top speed, starting at $207,000. The battery sits in the center console and is recharged via regenerative braking (no plug needed); front-wheel electrification adds traction for all‑wheel drive, plus an F1-style push‑to‑pass and PTM modes for track use. It’s a high‑performance, driver-focused alternative to Ferrari and McLaren that blends raw power with Corvette practicality.
As Chevy plans the C9, four strategic upgrades could keep it ahead: introduce active aerodynamics to balance speed and handling like rival supercars, elevate interior luxury and tech to rival Ferrari and Aston Martin, broaden the use of hybrid technology beyond the E-Ray, and reduce weight to improve performance and agility without sacrificing value.
Chevrolet debuted the C8 Corvette Grand Sport at the 12 Hours of Sebring, showcasing a widebody kit and Admiral Blue paint with a central white stripe and red hash marks; photos fueling rumors of a new 6.7-liter V8 and a potential Grand Sport X hybrid, though official details remain unreleased.
At Sebring, Chevrolet publicly debuts the 2027 Corvette Grand Sport with Roger Penske present, signaling a return of the Grand Sport with a new 6.7-liter LS6 V-8 and a wide-body design; the car is reportedly automatic-only, with rumors of a starting price under $100k, and the event underscores Penske’s long-running racing ties to Chevrolet.
Chevrolet’s Corvette ZR1X pairs a 5.5-liter V8 with a front-electric motor to deliver 1,250 hybrid horsepower, a 0–60 mph time of 1.67 seconds, and a Nürburgring lap under seven minutes, all for about $207,395—outpacing several hypercars and illustrating that electrified performance is reshaping the top tier of sports cars.
Chevrolet's ZR1X is the Corvette's all-wheel-drive hybrid hypercar, combining a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 with a front electric motor for up to 1,250 hp. It posts extreme numbers (0–60 in about 1.68s, 8.7s quarter-mile) and a Nürburgring lap about 6:49, but extra mass keeps it only modestly quicker than the ZR1 on track; it's tuned for drivability and balance, with Endurance/Qualify modes and carbon-fiber options, at a base price around $212k.
The 2026 C8 lineup splits into the LT2-powered Stingray and the LT6-powered Z06. Stingray starts around $70k with 490 hp (495 hp with Z51) and 465 lb-ft, while the Z06 costs about $50k more and offers 670 hp, a 8,600 rpm redline, and a wider, more aero-focused chassis with bigger brakes. The Z06 also has a track-oriented suspension (Mag Ride FE6 standard, FE7 optional) and a center-exit quad exhaust, along with a more aggressive styling package, whereas the Stingray remains cheaper with more trim/options variety. Both use an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, but the Z06 features a shorter final drive and extra clutch for sharper response.