C8 Corvette may be Equipped with Porsche 918 Gearbox?
Recently, the approaching release of the new mid-engine Corvette C8 has been widely headlined in internet media. According to the latest rumors, the new C8 model will be equipped with an 8-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) used in the Porsche 918.
Previously, different media sources predicted
that C8 Corvette would be equipped with the new DCT solution from TREMEC and
not without reason: TREMEC provided transmission solutions for many GM cars
(for example, the latest Shelby GT500), and, what is more remarkable, TREMEC
presented its new DCT right just in time of the new Chevy C8 development. TREMEC
representatives even announced that the company would supply several products
for the US customers. For many C8 admirers these facts looked more than a
coincidence.
ZF’s 8DT 8-Speed DCT
Transmission
However, the latest news reports, based on what seems like leaked order-guide docs, say that long-expected mid-engine Corvette is very likely to be equipped with the new ZF’s 8-speed DCT. Due to the high performance requirements, GM engineers can seriously consider just a few gearbox options available on the market. If the TREMEC solution is out of the picture, ZF’s product seems like the only engineering design fit to the high-bar of requirements for implementation in the C8 Corvette. ZF has a new 8-speed DCT named the 8DT and it has already been installed on several models from the VW product line (including Porsche and Bentley models).
Moreover, journalists have compared a picture
of the 918's engine and gearbox to a leaked CAD image of the upcoming
Corvette's powertrain, which turned out to be roughly the same.
It should be noted that the latest ZF solution
is that it can be easily adopted for hybrid powertrains with a small e-motor
that can be embedded into the casing. This adjustability allows Chevrolet to
create the hybrid Corvette model in the future.
Another advantage of the latest ZF gear
shifting product is that it can transmit up to 1000 Nm of torque, something
which not many dual-clutch solutions can do. The 8DT’s performance capacity
means it could be installed on different Corvette models.
However, GM and ZF refused to clear up the matter.
