With the all-electric (synthesized) drum beats coming from the highest towers of General Motors, it’s wild to believe that the same company created something like the C8 Corvette Z06. Powering it is a record-breaking V8 engine, the LT6, which creates 670 horsepower at a screaming 8,400 RPM. In doing so, it’s the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 production engine ever, the largest-displacement flat-plane crank V8, and the most torque from any flat-plane V8. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, and can only be found in the Z06. That being said, you’d be crazy to think that the C8 Corvette story ends with this all-motor world-beater. There are several other C8 variants in development, as well as sever other powertrains. Up next is the C8 Corvette ZR1, which will be powered by an even more powerful LT7 engine. And even as we’ve provided exclusive details to this future product, there’s been little physical evidence up to this point. However, the world was recently given a clue on the LT7 program thanks writing on a shipping crate from the National Corvette Museum.
General Motors LT7 V8 Engine: Details
The image, posted on the Mid Engine Corvette Forum, looks pretty average; we see an LT6 V8 Corvette Z06 engine sitting on a palette in all its glory, with some harnesses attached to ensure the engine is secure. But, after glancing down at the wording on the pallet, our intrigue begins to peak. “LT6 Gamma, LT7 Beta, Front.” The engine we see here is an LT6, but this pallet is intended for multiple uses.
Like the LT6, the LT7 will be a 5.5-liter twin-turbo DOHC engine. And with a pair of turbochargers, it’s set to be the most powerful production GM V8 engine ever with around 850 horsepower and 825 lb-ft of torque. It ill be exclusive to the most powerful C8 Corvette variants, starting with the C8 Corvette ZR1. The followup to this supercar will be the C8 Corvette Zora – a hybrid hypercar that’s anticipated to have around 1,000 total horsepower. Powering this apex predator will be the LT7 powering the rear wheels, paired to two electric motors that will power the front wheels.
The LT7 chapter of the Corvette story will appear mid-decade, as engineers currently prepare the upcoming E-Ray hybrid next. This new C8 will feature the same LT2 engine as the base Stingray, paired with electric motors. It will be the first hybrid, all-wheel-drive Corvette. Along the way, several other Corvette products will come into light, as GM looks to expand the nameplate into a family of vehicles. This includes a Porsche-Taycan-fighting electric sedan, as well as an all-electric SUV.
