Tag Archives: Chevrolet

This Is How The 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06’s N/A V8 Delivers 670 HP

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was unveiled earlier in the week and promises to be unlike any other ‘Vette before it, largely thanks to its engine.

We have known that the C8 Z06 would feature a 5.5-liter naturally-aspirated V8 ever since the Corvette C8.R race car was unveiled with this same basic engine in October 2019. Recent rumors suggested the engine would be tuned to around the 617 hp mark for the Z06, so you can imagine our surprise when the car was announced with no less than 670 hp and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm).

Read More: 2023 Corvette Z06 Is The Ultimate C8 With A Furious Sounding 670HP Flat-Plane Crank V8

That horsepower figure makes this 5.5-liter flat-plane crank engine the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 ever used by a production car. It also gives the new car a 20 hp advantage over the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 used by the C7 Z06. Just how was Chevy able to extract so much power from this smaller-capacity engine without relying on forced induction?

To show how this was achieved, Engineering Explained has released an intriguing video that details all of the technology packed into this engine.

A key reason why the engine is so powerful is that it revs to 8,600 rpm and achieves peak power at 8,400 rpm, 2,000 rpm higher than the C7’s 6.2-liter V8. The car’s high-revving nature has been achieved through the use of a flat-plane crankshaft and the use of a short stroke.

Chevrolet has also engineered the engine with double-overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. It also featured dual valve springs, solid lifts, titanium intake valves, and sodium-filled steel exhaust valves. A complex intake manifold has also been designed with dual throttle bodies, dual plenums, three center valves, and four trumpets on each side.

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C8 Corvette Vs. BMW M4 Competition In 500 HP Sports Car Shootout

If you’re lucky enough to have $70,000 to spend on a car and your buying criteria includes head-turning looks and the kind of power that can incinerate a set of tires before you’ve even left the dealer’s lot, you’re spoiled for choice.

That kind of money gets you into all manner of high performance front-engined coupes from the Dodge Challenger Hellcat to the brand new BMW M4 Competition. But in the C8 Corvette it also opens the door to the next best thing to an Italian supercar for those of us who can’t afford the real thing.

To find out which is best, Edmunds pitted its own long term Corvette against a BMW test car. The C8 had a $60,995 base price, but ended up costing $80,660 by the time they’d finished nibbling at the options list, adding stuff like the Z51 Performance Pack.

The BMW, on the other hand, stickered at $72,795, but loaded with the usual haul of press car goodies, came in at $101,995.

Related: 2021 BMW M4 Competition Takes On 2020 Chevrolet Corvette In A Straight Line

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They deliver eerily similar power, but do so in very different ways. The BMW’s 503 hp and 479lb ft comes courtesy of a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six, where the Corvette’s 495 hp is generated by a 6.2-liter V8. It kicks out a similar 470 lb ft, but being naturally aspirated, delivers it almost 3000 rpm further round the dial.

And Edmunds host Carlos Lago says the BMW’s stronger initial kick in the back means it feels far more powerful than the Corvette, despite the C8 beating the M4 to 60 mph and to the quarter mile mark.

The BMW’s limited traction also makes it exciting, Lago says, but maybe a little too exciting, while the Corvette is always controllable and surprises with a more comfortable ride, and, weirdly, more trunk space.

Pushed to call it, Lago gives the win to the Corvette for its value and breadth of abilities, but the four-seat, sideways-to-victory M4 runs it very close.

2022 Corvette C8 Starts From AU$144,990 In Australia, Sales Start In Q4

Australian enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the right-hand drive (RHD) C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ever since it was unveiled in mid-2019 and finally, pricing and availability details for the car have been announced.

Set to be sold by the newly-established General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV), the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette will be offered in five flavors, kicking off with the 2LT trim that’s priced from AU$144,990 (US$110,189) plus on-road costs.

Those who want something more will be able to buy the 3LT trim level from AU$160,500 (US$121,976) plus on-roads. The hardtop range will then be topped out by a special Carbon Edition, pricing details of which have not yet been announced. Importantly, all C8 Corvette models imported into Australia will come as standard with the must-have Z51 Performance pack that includes magnetically-controlled suspension, enlarged Brembo brakes, a new rear spoiler, electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, and a unique exhaust. Aussie cars also land standard with a front-axle lift system.

Details about the Corvette Carbon Edition are limited at this stage but it will reportedly receive hand-picked interior trims, distinctive wheels, a bespoke finish on the brake calipers, and an ‘owners pack’, details of which have yet to be confirmed.

Read Also: 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Spotted In Right-Hand Drive Guise

The 2022 Corvette will also be offered in Convertible guise with the same 2LT and 3LT trim levels, each priced at an extra AU$15,000 (US$11,399) over comparable coupe models.

Chevrolet will begin producing right-hand drive Corvettes for the Australian market in the final quarter with deliveries expected just before Christmas.

“The Corvette is one of the world’s most recognizable sports cars and over-delivers (on) performance expected of such a machine. It is the epitome of a true icon as it has heritage, performance and unparalleled desirability – generation after generation,” GMSV head Jo Stogiannis said in a statement.

The Chevrolet Camaro Looks Pretty Good With C8 Corvette-Style Taillights

If you own a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro and are looking to freshen it up, one way to do so is by fitting a set of C8 Corvette-inspired taillights.

These taillights come courtesy of a company by the name of Auto Addict USA and are available in a standard red option or with a smoked and blacked-out lens. They are priced at $724.98, so they won’t break the bank, and they also have a transformative effect on how the Camaro’s rear end looks.

Read Also: Another C8 Corvette Ends Up Crashed In A Ditch In Florida

The video below from YouTuber Savage Camaro details the process of installing the lights. It is quite simple and requires removing the rear bumper of the Camaro before popping off some plastic covers and unplugging and unbolting the standard lights. It is then a matter of bolting in the new ones and re-installing the bumper. The YouTuber says the installation only took about an hour.

Some Corvette traditionalists haven’t been won over by the design of the C8’s taillights, nor the lights of the C7-generation Corvette either. While we love the four circular taillights used by earlier iterations of the ‘Vette, we think the new ones match the new, mid-engined car’s aggressive looks quite nicely.

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This Customized Chevy HHR Pickup Channels The El Camino

The 2000’s were rife with retro-inspired models including the Chrysler PT Cruiser and reborn Mini Cooper.

Chevrolet also got in on the fun as they introduced the SSR and HHR. While the latter wasn’t as interesting as the convertible pickup, one HHR owner decided to transform their five-door hatchback into a two-door truck.

Currently listed on Facebook Marketplace for $6,500 (£5,005 / €5,515), the model is a part HHR and part pickup. Details are limited, but the rear doors give way to a custom truck bed that follows the lines of the original model.

Also Read: Chevy Introduces HHR SS With 260 HP

This gives the truck a high quality appearance, but there are some downsides. Most notably, there’s no drop down tailgate or rear window. The latter decision likely creates sizeable blind spots, but it freed the owner to have a bald eagle graphic on the back of the passenger compartment.

The interior largely carries over, but cheap-looking bowtie badges have been added above the door sills. The bowtie design can also be found on the back wall which is covered in some rather tragic upholstery.

Since the truck is based on a 2010 HHR and is FlexFuel capable, it presumably has a 2.2- or 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The smaller engine is rated at 155 hp (116 kW / 157 PS), while the larger unit develops 172 hp (128 kW / 174 PS).

Regardless of what’s under the hood, the truck has 265,000 miles (426,476 km) on the odometer. That’s a lot but, if you’re in the market for an HHR-based pickup, this is one of your only options.

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C8 Corvette Hits Laguna Seca With A Bunch Of High-End Supercars

If you want a mid-engined performance car you can enjoy on a racetrack and drive on a daily basis that won’t break the bank, it is hard to go past the C8 Corvette Stingray.

The automotive community’s interest on the latest-generation Corvette was high from the moment it was unveiled last year – and for good reason. Not only is it affordable, but it is also very easy and enjoyable to drive. Plus it’s quick. Very quick.

YouTuber Speed Phenom is the proud owner of a red C8 Corvette Stingray and recently headed to Laguna Seca for a track day with the sports car. He was joined by a plethora of other impressive machines at the circuit, including a McLaren P1, Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo, a Ferrari 488 GT3 race car, and a Ford Mustang GT4. There were also a host of other high-performance European supercars on the circuit.

Watch Also: 2020 C8 Corvette Sounds Like A Roaring Beast With AWE Exhausts

With quite a bit of experience behind the wheel of the C8 Corvette at Laguna Seca, the YouTuber was able to set a best time of 1 minute and 38 seconds. He also comments on how confidence-inspiring the car is.

When first launched, some complained about the pronounced understeer of the new Corvette. However, the YouTuber says there is virtually no understeer, and after watching the video, we think he seems to be right. We have an inkling his car is rocking the ‘track alignment’ settings that help provide it with greater handling balance.

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Marvel At Hennessey’s 850 HP C7 Corvette Z06 Showing Off

If you happen to own a C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 or plan on buying one, Hennessey has just released an upgrade package that promises to lift the sports car to new heights.

Dubbed the HPE850, the package sees a handful of modifications made to the Z06’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, which ordinarily produces 650 hp at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) at 3,600 rpm, and lifts it up to 850 hp and 715 lb-ft (969 Nm).

Hennessey has been able to make these gains thanks to upgraded cylinder heads, valve springs, camshafts, intake system, and exhaust. It also tweaks with the ECU to ensure the car runs just as it should and doesn’t suffer from any reliability issues that could be caused by the horsepower and torque gains.

Watch Also: Why Wait For A ZR1 When When You Can Have A Twin-Turbo Corvette C8

The Texas tuner says that a Corvette Z06 equipped with the HPE850 package is capable of hitting 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 2.6 seconds while also being able to sprint down the quarter-mile in just 10.3 seconds at 136 mph (219 km/h).

With the exception of some badges, few visual changes have been made to the car, meaning you’ll be able to shock other Z06s, plus lots of exotics, on the street with this Vette’s performance.

Finally, this is going to be a limited run, as Hennessey plans on just offering 100 examples of its HPE850 upgrade package to customers.

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Why Wait For A ZR1 When When You Can Have A Twin-Turbo Corvette C8

A company by the name of Late Model Racecraft has just built one of the craziest C8 Corvette Stingrays anywhere, adorning it with a bespoke twin-turbo setup that will be able to handle upwards of 1,200 hp.

The first twin-turbo package we saw for the C8 Corvette a few months ago came from Hennessey Performance. That kit, as well as others in the market, has seen the turbos mounted low and directly behind the rear bumper. By comparison, Late Model Racecraft has created a top-mount setup where the turbos sit directly above the engine.

Watch Also: Twin-Turbo C8 Corvette Delivers 736 HP At The Wheels

This solution arguably looks better than hiding the turbos behind the rear bumper but does appear more complex. For example, there is an air-to-water intercooler system that sits just above the exhaust and slightly protrudes into the rear storage compartment of the sports car. All of the associated piping with the twin-turbo setup fits neatly under the engine cover but does get very close to some of the exposed carbon fiber parts in the engine bay.

The upgraded engine is coupled with a custom catback exhaust system that the tuner has built. This exhaust works regardless of whether the C8 remains naturally aspirated or is twin-turbocharged. For now, the car retains the Corvette’s standard ECU but that will soon be tuned to complement the addition of the turbochargers.

It’s important to keep in mind that it is still early days in the world of C8 Corvette tuning. As more examples reach the hands of customers, we can expect to see new and exciting upgrade packages hit the market.

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Mark Wahlberg Buys Second Ohio GM Dealership, Renames It Mark Wahlberg Buick-GMC

Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has diverted some of the revenue from his acting career into several business ventures, including a Chevrolet dealership he bought two years ago in Columbus, Ohio.

Now, it looks like Wahlberg has acquired a taste for GM car dealerships as he bought another one, a Buick-GMC store located right across the street from Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet.

As with the first acquisition, Wahlberg partnered with Michigan dealer Jay Feldman to purchase the Haydocy Buick-GMC dealership, which has been promptly renamed Mark Wahlberg Buick-GMC. The transaction also included an Airstream and RV dealership in Columbus, which from now on is known as Mark Wahlberg Airstream & RV.

Watch: Mark Wahlberg Checks Out The Mercedes-AMG One

“Columbus has been so welcoming and it just made sense to grow our automotive platform here,” Wahlberg said in a statement cited by AutoNews. “The Haydocy family has been wonderful to work with during this transition and Jay and I are looking forward to doing big things here,” the actor added.

Wahlberg’s associate Jay Feldman, who is CEO of Feldman Automotive Group, said that purchasing the Buick-GMC store across the street from Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet was “a perfect fit” and that they love the Columbus market.

Wahlberg and Feldman met in 2013 in Detroit while the actor was filming the fourth installment of the Transformers movie series. In addition to car dealerships, they also are business partners in several Wahlburgers restaurants. Wahlberg’s business portfolio also includes a movie production company, health and wellness company, and a water brand.

Photo credits: Google Street View

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Chevrolet Colorado ‘Kymera’ Feels Right At Home Tackling The Wilderness

Say hello to ‘Kymera,’ an insane off-roader built by a shop out of South Carolina dubbed Fab Fours.

Recently featured in an episode of Ridiculous Rides, Kymera started out life as a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, not that you’d be able to tell from its crazed outward appearance. In fact, it looks more like a Trophy Truck than a Colorado.

For starters, Kymera is no longer front-engined; instead, the engine sits where the bed once was. This isn’t any regular engine either, but a 5.9-liter Cummins diesel V8 that’s been fitted with a pair of turbochargers, so it now delivers 650 hp and spews out plums of black smoke whenever you touch the accelerator pedal.

Read Also: Chevrolet Colorado To Get Small Styling Update, Three New Packages For 2021MY

It’s not just the engine that makes this Colorado special.The vehicle features all-new suspension, including absolutely massive Fox shocks and springs, and also utilizes military-spec axles. What’s more, it has a rear-wheel steering system that means it is very maneuverable, despite its size.

While Kymera certainly turns heads on the roads, that’s not where it is at home. Instead, the truck is best suited to climbing up rocks along difficult off-road trails or bashing through the desert. It is the ultimate toy car and we’re sure would be an absolute ball to drive. Given how big the Fox shocks are, we imagine it rides over small rocks like a Rolls-Royce rides on the pavement. In the unlikely event that the truck does get stuck, it has a 12,000 lbs winch up front to help pull it free.

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