4 European Hybrid Supercars Set The Stage for 2022 C8 Zora Corvette

We just had the reveal of the impressive 2020 C8 Corvette, with it’s 495HP V8, and equally impressive sub-$60K starting price. Rumors are that Chevy will follow up with a Z06 version with a twin turbo V8 making around 700HP about 1 year after the new Corvette hits the showrooms. Also, there are more rumblings of an even more powerful ZR-1/Zora model with 1000HP using the Z06’s TT V8 combined with a pair of electric motors up front.

This Zora Corvette model could debut maybe a year after the Z06 model comes out.

Historically, nobody would have every thought that the idea of a hybrid Corvette could ever exist or should exist (Torque News wrote about a possibility of a Hybrid Corvette in 2013). But four hybrid supercars changed the rule book forever, and perhaps set the stage for a future hybrid Corvette.

4 Hybrid Supercars Set The Stage for Future Hybrid Corvette

1. The Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid supercar was first shown in Geneva in 2010, and the first models were for sale in late 2013. With the 918’s 4.6L V8 making 599HP, and two electric motors adding 288HP more, the 918 Spyder immediately set acceleration records of 0-60 in 2.2 secs. and 9.8sec. ¼ mile (Car and Driver).

2. In 2012 McLaren showed it’s amazing P1 hybrid supercar at the Paris Motor Show and all 375 of them were sold out by November 2013. The McLaren P1 had 903 combined HP, 727HP from it’s TTV8 and 177HP more from and electric motor. It could drive 6.8 miles on electricity alone.

3. Meanwhile, Ferrari showed their new hybrid flagship the LaFerrari at the 2013 Geneva show and production began about the same time as the Porsche 918 and P1. The LaFerrari produced 950HP, 789HP from it’s 6.3L V12 engine, and 161HP from a KERS unit which kinetically stores energy.

4. Then the Koenigsegg Regera was shown in Geneva in 2015 and went into production in early 2016 with an amazing 1797HP from it’s 1100HP V8TT and 697HP from 3 electric motors. It also uses a unique single gear “direct drive” transmission with hydraulic coupling to channel all that power to the ground.

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New Hybrid and EV Supercars

Those were probably the supercar targets that inspired the future mid-engine, hybrid, V8TT Zora Corvette. These hybrid cars also probably inspired the latest Ferrari SF90 Stradale due out this year.

The SF90 boasts 1000HP, 780HP from a turbo V8, and 220HP from three electric motors. It should be able to run 15.5 miles on electricity alone. Earlier, Ferrari stated strongly that they would never use batteries and electric motors in any of their high performance cars, but current plans reveal that they will equip about 60% of their total production with EV drivetrains by 2022.

There was a similar turn around by Maserati, who previously never had EV plans, but now is also now committing to a strong EV presence moving forward. This change is no doubt due to the success of Tesla cars in showing that you can have super high performance, luxury cars, with economy car operating costs using EV technology.

And finally the promise of the Tesla Roadster 2, with it’s proposed 1.8 sec 0-60, and 8.8sec ¼ mile acceleration at a a $200K price, has no doubt set the European supercar builders back to the drawing board.

But for the C8 Corvette, which is similarly scaring their competition with their $60K, mid-engined, 3 sec. 0-60 time beast, it is clear that they have even bigger plans to establish the Corvette as a contender against Europe’s top high performance cars. First with the new Stingray (and convertible) this year, and soon with a twin turbo V8 Z06 model, and hopefully following with the hybrid TTV8 Zora model, crowning a new king-of-the-hill Corvette in 2022-23.

See you in the next story where I am discussing how GM could use Midengine Corvette's platform and turn Cadillac Cien a perfect EV Supercar and read our latest story discussing 2020 C8 Corvette's new electronically adjustable braking Twist.

Dean McManis is an electric car specialist and can be reached on Facebook at DeanMcManis for tips and feedback. Please, also leave your comments below for discussion.