GM Switches to Turbo for Mid-Engined Corvette C8.R

Photo: Sportscar365

Chevrolet has apparently opted for a turbocharged engine for its all-new mid-engined Corvette C8.R, as exclusively revealed in a series of spy photos by Sportscar365 earlier today.

Sportscar365 has additionally obtained trackside audio from the car’s rollout at Road America on Wednesday, which saw the Pratt & Miller-built GTE machine complete a series of installation laps prior to more consistent running later in the morning.

While not yet officially confirmed by GM, it appears the race car features a twin-turbo V8 powerplant, marking a significant departure from the normally aspirated engines that every previous Corvette race car has utilized.

Rumors in the automotive media have indicated multiple engine options for the next-generation Corvette, which is due to be officially revealed in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The switch to a turbo would follow the majority of Corvette’s rivals and would leave only Porsche as the sole-remaining GTE-spec car with a normally aspirated powerplant.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John