Photo: GM
After five long months since Chevrolet took the wraps off the all-new 2015MY Corvette Z06, the Detroit manufacturer has finally announced the specs of its halo sports car's meanest version yet: the blown LT4 V8 churns out 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.
So it seems that the golden bowtie manufacturer has been underrating the Z06's tower of power by a mere 25 horsepower all these last months. As it happens, the LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine has been rated 650 HP at 6,400 rpm, but the best part is the torque figure: the rear wheels will have to endure no less than 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) available when the mill turns over just 3,600 rpm.
According to GM, the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the most powerful production car ever made by the American manufacturer. Hurray for all-American grunt! “The LT4 small block sets a new benchmark for power and torque at GM,” said Steve Kiefer, GM vice president of powertrain engineering. “The engine also puts the new Corvette Z06 on par with the most powerful supercars offered in America, while delivering performance with impeccable manners that make it suitable for daily driving.”
As it happens, the all-new Z06 churns out more oomph than the SRT Viper's 640 horsepower and it's on par with the Ferrari FF's 651 horses. Compared to the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the Vette offers 90 horsepower and 134 lb-ft of torque (182 Nm) more. Compared to the previous generation's 7.0-liter LS7 mill, the latest model produces 40 percent more peak torque (180 lb-ft/244 Nm). When you put it side by side to the 2013 Corvette ZR1, the manic Z06 trumps it by a whopping 7.5 percent.
This 'power on demand' persona of the LT4 supercharged V8 is aided by technologies borrowed from the Corvette Stingray: continuously variable valve timing, direct injection and a cylinder deactivation feature, to say the least. It's also worth mentioning that the small block V8 is roughly the same size as the 2014 Corvette Stingray's LT1 mill. In fact, the LT4 is based on the same fifth-gen 6.2-liter LT1 powering the Stingray, but it does feature a bucketload of unique features designed to hike its power output.
Just to name a few of them, the conventional aluminum heads have been upgraded to heavy duty Rotocast A356T6 cylinder heads, intake valves are made from lightweight titanium, the connecting rods are machined from forged powder metal steel, all eight pistons are made from forged aluminum, while the dry-sump oiling system features a dual-pressure-control oil pump.
The 1.7-liter blower spins up to 20,000 rpm. That's 5,000 rpm more than the supercharger boosting the Corvette ZR1's power figures. This was made possible thanks to smaller diameter rotors and a more direct discharge port that creates less turbulence, reduces heat and speeds airflow into the 6.2-liter engine.
As far as transmission options go, there are only two to opt from: a standard seven-speed manual transmission based on the unit fitted to the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, or an all-new eight-speed automatic with paddle-shift capability. The GM-designed 8L90 is expected to offer full-throttle upshifts "up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the dual-clutch transmission offered in the Porsche 911."
According to GM, the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2014, with first deliveries slated for the beginning of next year. Unfortunately, pricing and options will be disclosed later in the year.
According to GM, the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the most powerful production car ever made by the American manufacturer. Hurray for all-American grunt! “The LT4 small block sets a new benchmark for power and torque at GM,” said Steve Kiefer, GM vice president of powertrain engineering. “The engine also puts the new Corvette Z06 on par with the most powerful supercars offered in America, while delivering performance with impeccable manners that make it suitable for daily driving.”
As it happens, the all-new Z06 churns out more oomph than the SRT Viper's 640 horsepower and it's on par with the Ferrari FF's 651 horses. Compared to the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the Vette offers 90 horsepower and 134 lb-ft of torque (182 Nm) more. Compared to the previous generation's 7.0-liter LS7 mill, the latest model produces 40 percent more peak torque (180 lb-ft/244 Nm). When you put it side by side to the 2013 Corvette ZR1, the manic Z06 trumps it by a whopping 7.5 percent.
This 'power on demand' persona of the LT4 supercharged V8 is aided by technologies borrowed from the Corvette Stingray: continuously variable valve timing, direct injection and a cylinder deactivation feature, to say the least. It's also worth mentioning that the small block V8 is roughly the same size as the 2014 Corvette Stingray's LT1 mill. In fact, the LT4 is based on the same fifth-gen 6.2-liter LT1 powering the Stingray, but it does feature a bucketload of unique features designed to hike its power output.
The 1.7-liter blower spins up to 20,000 rpm. That's 5,000 rpm more than the supercharger boosting the Corvette ZR1's power figures. This was made possible thanks to smaller diameter rotors and a more direct discharge port that creates less turbulence, reduces heat and speeds airflow into the 6.2-liter engine.
As far as transmission options go, there are only two to opt from: a standard seven-speed manual transmission based on the unit fitted to the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, or an all-new eight-speed automatic with paddle-shift capability. The GM-designed 8L90 is expected to offer full-throttle upshifts "up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the dual-clutch transmission offered in the Porsche 911."
According to GM, the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2014, with first deliveries slated for the beginning of next year. Unfortunately, pricing and options will be disclosed later in the year.
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