C8 Rumors: Will the Next ZR1 Be a 900 HP Hybrid?

Not only will the hybrid C8 ZR1 boast amazing power, but it may also be the first all-wheel-drive Corvette in history.

It seems that the team behind the new C8 Corvette are not only am ambitious group, but a daring one as well. Shortly after the wild success of the 2020 C8 Corvette, it seems there is already change coming on the horizon. Motor Trend is reporting that they spoke to a senior GM official who said the C8 generation Corvette ZR1 will be a hybrid. The magazine, who just named the 2020 Corvette Car of the Year, says this hybrid variant will be built on the upcoming Z06 platform and be all-wheel-drive

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It’s a not-so-little secret that the C8 Z06 is expected to house a twin-turbo flat-plane V8. When Corvette Forum attended the Corvette Convertible reveal in Cape Canaveral, FL, we were struck by the surprise appearance of the Corvette C8.R. It seemed to us that the racer was an important part of the ‘Vette’s evolution. It appeared imminent that Chevrolet would change to flat-plane for its racing powerplant in 2020. And said engine would extend to other upcoming street models.

Based off of the C8.R, a hybrid C8 Z06 would be running on a twin-turbo DOHC V8. As a result, we’d have a hybrid Corvette that offered more torque than its competitors, and could offer a juicy 900 hp. Most importantly, don’t be afraid of the word hybrid. MotorTrend‘s mystery GM exec says it’s going to be a performance-hybrid, not one focused on fuel economy.

Motor Trend’s source couldn’t expand on all of the deets, obviously. So as for the particulars on displacement and hybrid engine placement, we can only speculate. That said, the mystery exec confirmed Cadillac’s 4.2-liter Blackwing V8 won’t be coming to any C8.

Certainly, the C7 Corvette ZR1 is a brick house. The 6.2 L V8 makes a face-melting 755 hp. But it’s hard to control and keep that power down. With all-wheel-drive and a mid-engine design, it looks like Corvette is aiming to take on supercars. Watch out, Porsche, Ferrari, and Acura.

We don’t know when we can expect the C8 Corvette ZR1, but we wouldn’t bet against Chevrolet right now. They have been consistently hitting it out of the park.

Photos: Corvette; Corvette Forums

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