More information on the upcoming Corvette C8 has
been leaked, including the engine range which apparently will feature three
options to choose from.
According to a market analyst document from IHS
Markit which was leaked by a Corvette Forum user, the new Corvette C8 will come
with two new DOHC V8 options, as well as the existing 6.2-liter V8. Of the two
new engines, the smaller will be a 4.2-liter and the other will be a 5.5-liter
unit.
The new engines will be built at the Tonawanda plant
and according to IHS Markit, the existing 6.2-liter V8 will be the main choice
for the C8 with an average of 14,000 engines per year, from 2019 to 2021. The
smaller 4.2-liter follows on their list with a projected production run of more
than 7,000 engines per year, with the 5.5-liter having the smallest production
numbers, at around 5,000 units per year.
Both the 4.2-liter and the 5.5-liter V8s are
expected to be twin-turbocharged, with the leaked document also mentioning a
“Cadillac Sports Car” which is going to use the smaller of the two engines. As
for the actual power figures, the 5.5-liter V8 is expected to produce as much
as 850 hp and 720 lb-ft of torque, which sounds exciting to say the least.
The same document says that the current C7 Corvette
will soldier on for at least three more years to 2021, which means the two cars
will be available at the same time.