The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette is scheduled to hit the market late next year, and Chevy has given us a preview of its brand new engine. The automaker has said that its goal with the 2014 Corvette is to raise the bar in terms of performance engines. It also wanted to focus on fuel economy, while not sacrificing the raw power that Corvette fans expect. It's now been revealed that the vehicle is going to come off assembly lines with a 6.2L V-8 that is able to deliver an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque.
While final numbers will not be available until early next year, Chevy estimates that this will be the quickest Corvette ever, with a 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) time of under four seconds. The automaker also predicts it will be the most fuel-efficient Corvette, with a higher EPA estimate than the 2013 model's 26 mpg (9 l/100 km) highway.
Chevy added a direct injection fuel system, active fuel management and variable valve timing systems, all of which help generate more power across the entire power band, instead of focusing only on top end. As an added bonus, the direct injection system should also help reduce emissions.
The company is also introducing an all-aluminum block and oil pan. This is intended to drop weight, increase rigidity, and help the engine better absorb vibrations. To go along with this, Chevy is also adding iron main bearing caps. These are stronger, and they help produce a quieter ride without sacrificing performance.
Some other features of the Corvette's new engine include an improved cooling system, continuously variable camshaft timing, cylinder deactivation, cam-driven fuel pump, and an improved oiling system.
Chevy is certainly pulling out all the stops for the 2014 Corvette, and if this engine actually surpasses 450 horsepower, we will be thoroughly impressed.
Source: Chevrolet
Unfortunately, this will be placed in a Corvette...so the fit and finish will be for s**t and it still won't be able to corner worth a damn.
All have been available at least since 2012. I don't know the actualy 0-60 mph times, but both the 427 and Z06 makes 505 hp and the ZR1 makes 638 hp. The ZR1 I know runs 0-60 mph in about 3.3 seconds. I believe the Z06 is around 3.9 seconds. The C5 Z06 already made 500 hp and could run close to 4 seconds when accelerating to 60 mph from a standstill.
I guess they must be dropping a ton of weight on the final car? But I don't know how acceleration claims can be made based just on an engine.
Doesn't the 911GT2 you mention have twin turbos? For a NATURALLY aspirated engine the BOSS does very well.
As to why an Automaker would say that 450 hp is a big deal is because it is. I remember 1982 when Fords advertisement for the Mustang was "The BOSS is back and boy is he mad". This was fro a 157 hp 2 barrel 4 speed (4 being an overdrive) manual car. That actually got me fired up. After years of seeing HP ratings fall there seemed to be little hope for performance comparable to the 60's and now I see guys dismissively talking about engines that can put out 400+ HP. Incredible.
As to your comment about a 302 being a big engine, I would suggest that the big engine territory (for a car) starts around 400 cubic inches.
@Joe Vettes can't corner worth a damn? Come on , maybe in snow but get real. Corvettes usually do very well when compared to other cars in track tests and doing well on a track requires that a car be able to go around a corner.
I seriously doubt a 6.2L will come close to that, let alone be the "best fuel mileage Corvette ever".
I really miss that car :-(