New 2023 Chevy Corvette C8 Hybrid Redesign
New 2023 Chevy Corvette C8 Hybrid Redesign – Future variations of the new generation Chevrolet Corvette have been the cause of much debate over the past year. Hagerty recently claimed that he has a scoop, via “industrial leak” on the roadmap for the development of corvettes in trim and model variations.
Between that and a lot of industry chatter and some leaks, we’re confident that the Corvette will not only evolve over the coming years but mutate into something very special.
New 2023 Chevy Corvette C8 Hybrid Redesign
At least, that’s what these spy photos purport to show, and there are some clues that suggest this is a preview of Chevy’s electrified sports car. However, it does not appear to be an almost production version of the rumored 2023 900-hp Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 hybrid.
2023 Chevy Corvette Engine
The first iteration of the new Corvette is on the way, albeit in limited supply due to the pandemic. It comes with a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT2 V8, making 490-495 hp and 465-470 lb-ft depending on the trim level. There is no manual option, and the power is controlled and sent to the rear wheels by Tremec provided an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Only 2,700 C8 Corvettes were built before the coronavirus attacked, so production had to be suspended. The years given below are planned model years. However, development programs throughout GM have been suspended, and there may be significant delays.
2023 Chevy Corvette C8 Hybrid
What makes us think this is (probably) not a ZR1 super-hybrid, at least in its final form? Partly, because there is no aerodynamic add-on that we expect to see from a 900-hp supercar, or a Corvette ZR1, for that being: The car has no large splitter, no large diffuser, and nary giant wings insight. In fact, bodywork all looks pretty standard C8 Corvette fare. We’re not saying stingrays look boring—but there’s definitely a space between that and C8. R car racing to get a little wilder.
In addition, this may not be a super-hybrid Corvette because, if you look closely at the center of the hub, there doesn’t seem to be a drive axle nut at the front end like the one at the back—which means it’s most likely not all-wheel-drive.
citing a highly placed source within GM, that the Corvette ZR1 hybrid would be the brand’s first all-wheel-drive Corvette thanks to the addition of a front axle electric motor inserted into the “frunk” space, along with a twin-turbocharged V-8 for a total system output of 900 horsepower.
Indications that this may be the starting donkey for the 2023 Corvette ZR1 hybrid powertrain include an array of cables and kill switches mounted to the passenger side frunk area. Yes, the car’s 12-volt battery went up in advance, so it could have been a kill switch to it, but no conventional C8 Corvettes were spied on in testing before revealing last year it had such a setup.
Perhaps, it exists to kill power to hybrid systems, which may house electronic controls in frunk/firewall areas as well. There is also what appears to be a cut off the electricity of some kind fitted to the rear driver’s side fender, which may be the location for the unseen made charging port.
The crazy box of equipment hanging from the back of the car looks very much like the equipment RealMPG MotorTrend uses to perform real-world emissions and gas mileage testing. It would make sense for Chevy to test the emissions of their hybrid system while developing the system itself, though that’s not the only possible explanation.
Another question without a firm answer? Where the battery might be included in the hybrid Corvette. If you look at the body-in-white photos of the opening of the car (as above), there is a large, empty rectangular tunnel that flows through the middle of the car.
It is the perfect place, both architecturally and dynamically, to place the battery. The Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, for example, lies the battery in the same T form in the middle of the vehicle, and its location is so low inside the car it helps the hatchback handle with surprising athleticism.
2023 Chevy Corvette Horsepower
In addition to hybrids and ZR1s, the eighth-generation Corvette still has a lot in store. The Z06 variant is almost guaranteed, and we expect that to be a raucous supercar in its own right, with as much as 800 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque on tap from flat-plane-cranks, DOHC V-8 in addition to full aerodynamic maintenance, wider wheels, and tires and upgraded, track-tuned suspension.
