The 2009 Corvette ZR1(pictured) sales are yet to get off the starting block, but that doesn't stop the intuitive folks over at Popular Mechanics from speculating on the next generation C7. It will be launched in 2012 and following a but of digging at the first drive event a couple of weeks a go, a few juicy details have popped up in the engine department.
The current ZR1's LS9 engine possesses a displacement of 6.2-liters, a potent supercharger and a power figure of 638bhp that has other competitors eating its dust. For the new generation, consumers will demand something even better, word on the street states displacement could be dropped down to 5.7 liters and a decision is yet to be taken on whether it will be supercharged or turbo charged.
Moving down in the model line-up to the Z07, we could well see the unthinkable happen, a V6 Corvette! That's right, the engineers are toying with the idea of decreasing the cylinder count down from the current V8. When analysing the current LS7 engine, a power rating of 505hp from the heavy 7-liter engine is quite poor by today's standards and the ZR1's LS9 is proof the Corvette engineers can do better. The next generation Corvette Z07 could take the Cadillac CTS' direct-injection 3.6-liter DOHC V6 add a set of twin turbo chargers and achieve the same performance demanded by Corvette enthusiasts. However engineers must not forget that consumers love the sound of the LS9's V8 and a despite what you do with the V6, it doesn't have the same bite.
Overall the changes will result in a number of politician pleasing effects with improved fuel economy and emissions, the lighter weight of the engine will also add to the performance.
