[elegant]

The March, 2014, just-released issue of Hot Rod magazine, contains some very specific technical specs for the C7 Z06. The following specs are so detailed that they probably came from the mid-December "embargo'd briefing" that GM's gave to print media. Did Hot Rod break that embargo and pre-release this info before they should have? Especially interesting is that they have cited "old" 625 HP & 635 TQ data, leading one to believe that perhaps GM revised the motor's output since that briefing three weeks ago.

"C7 Z06 chassis is 20% more rigid than the C6 Z06 with the targa top removed and 60% more rigid with the top in place."

"The Z06 will be the only car with more than 600 hp to offer an automatic transmission: the new eight-speed 8L90E."

"The steel torque tube of the Stingray will be replaced with a woven carbon-fiber torque tube in the Z06".

"New Z06 features wider bodywork to cover a 2.2 inch wider track in the front and 3 inch wider track in the rear, with wheel and tire sizes from the C6 ZR1."

"There will be three levels of Z06 available with varying degrees of aerodynamic downforce, the top being called Z07".

"Powered by a supercharged 6.2L direct-injection LT4 V8 that produces an estimated 625 hp and 635 lb-ft of torque using a compact 1.7L supercharger capable of 20,000 rpm and 9.5 psi of boost."

Only 32 hours to the C7 Z06 reveal.

 

[zimm888]

Pardon my ignorance if it's up somewhere else alrdy, but is this 8 speed a DCT? I know nothing about it yet. Thx

 

[mjw930]

Pardon my ignorance if it's up somewhere else alrdy, but is this 8 speed a DCT? I know nothing about it yet. Thx

No, the 8 speed is GM's version of the ZF 8 speed which is the king of the hill in non DCT automatics these days. It's official name is 8L90.

SAE Paper Summary Leaking 2015 Corvette?s 8 Speed Auto Gets Redacted | The Truth About Cars

 

[Redc7]

"New Z06 features wider bodywork to cover a 2.2 inch wider track in the front and 3 inch wider track in the rear, with wheel and tire sizes from the C6 ZR1."

Interesting this is similar to what they did with the C4 ZR-1 in the rear for the wider tires.

 

[elegant]

No, the 8 speed is GM's version of the ZF 8 speed which is the king of the hill in non DCT automatics these days. It's official name is 8L90.

SAE Paper Summary Leaking 2015 Corvette?s 8 Speed Auto Gets Redacted | The Truth About Cars

Thanks Mark for that detailed explanation. Glad someone copied it before it got redacted.

 

[stanton]

I guess we'll find out tmrw, but if chevy is offering the z06 in auto only, it should definitely be a DCT (not that it matters for me, because I only buy manuals anyway). Regardless of how good the new 8-speed auto is, it just can't compete with a DCT. Just seems silly for chevy to put a target on other supercar manufacturer's backs, and then hinder a 600hp car with a std auto.

 

[mjw930]

I guess we'll find out tmrw, but if chevy is offering the z06 in auto only, it should definitely be a DCT (not that it matters for me, because I only buy manuals anyway). Regardless of how good the new 8-speed auto is, it just can't compete with a DCT. Just seems silly for chevy to put a target on other supercar manufacturer's backs, and then hinder a 600hp car with a std auto.

While I'm a full on DCT lover I wouldn't so quick to dismiss a modern 8 speed auto in a performance application. The Jaguar F-Type jumps to mind as a very potent application of this technology. My interest in the new 8L90 is so keen that unless it reviews very poorly I am real close to forgoing a 2014 7 speed for a 2015 8 speed. I have no interest in the current 6 speed. However good it may seem to many, it pales in comparison to a DCT and the 8 speed ZF's I've driven.