Cadillac’s CTS-v and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will be making use of an even more powerful supercharged V8 than originally thought. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, despite Cadillac’s status as General Motors loftiest brand and Chevrolet being at the bottom of the rung, this V8 still makes more power in the less restricted Corvette ZR1 than it does in the hi-po CTS.
When The Good Car Guy drove the regular 300+ bhp CTS at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds, power was plentiful. Amazing then, isn’t it, that the V version produces an extra 263 ponies than that car? Beyond the base North American CTS, the CTS-v motivates with 304 horsepower. In other words, attach the middle 3.6L V6 to the basic 3.6L V6 (non-direct injection) and you have 567 horsepower – same as the Cadillac CTS-v.
Chevrolet starts the Corvette with a 6.2L V8 which generates 430 horsepower. A dual-mode exhaust bumps that figure to 436. Up next is the 7.0L V8 from the Corvette Z06. Yeah, I know 505 horsepower seemed good enough. However, we are now told the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will produce 638 caballos.
Indeed, the Milford Proving Grounds loop wasn’t enough to contain the Corvette ZR1. GM brass sent it to Papenburg, Germany where it achieved a certified 205mph. In fact, the Corvette ZR1 struck 208, but that was with a tailwind.
