Corvette Z06 To Become Z07? Cool, and it'll Have 600HP

Oh yeah, and it will also likely be either turbo or twin-turbocharged.
The 2014 Corvette Stingray is just hitting showrooms and Chevrolet is already hard at work developing the next Z06. A new report coming from Car & Driver claims the track-tuned new Vette will have a new name, the Z07. And yes, it’ll be more powerful than the outgoing Z06. By how much? Sources are claiming to expect the Z07 to pump out some 600 horsepower from its V8. But here’s the thing: that engine may not even be the naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 that powers the Stingray.

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In order to create the proper balance of power and fuel emissions, Chevy may go with a turbocharged or even a twin-turbocharged V8 that will displace "significantly less" than 6.2-liters. Remember, the Z06 had a 7.0-liter V8 with 505 hp, so in order to get that extra 100 or so ponies while not completely killing off the O-Zone (or by violating government regulations) pumping some extra air into that V8 may be required. So what engine could this be? It’s possible that Cadillac’s 500-hp, 4.5-liter twin-turbo V8 will be called into service. This also just happens to be the same engine under the hood of the beautiful Cadillac Elmiraj Concept.

The sole gearbox offering will probably be the seven-speed manual. We can also expect the price tag to jump significantly. The Z06 started off at around $76,000 but the Z07 could very well tip the $100k mark. That means it will be going head-to-head with the likes of the Nissan GT-R, Ferrari 458 Italia and even the Porsche 911 Turbo. Whatever the case ends up being, expect for the Z07 to debut as a 2016 model.