Hold your tongues, naysayers: This hybrid Corvette Z06 has more torque than a tank

By Peter Braun November 12, 2013

quanta qhp770 a 770 horsepower corvette hybrid — This is no ordinary Corvette Z06, because underneath the body lightning lies in wait. Image used with permission by copyright holder

The words ‘Corvette’ and ‘hybrid’ just don’t seem to go together, but aftermarket supplier Quanta is trying to change that. At this years SEMA show Quanta is unveiling a 770-horsepower hybrid Corvette unimaginatively dubbed the QHP770.

The car that Quanta started with wasn’t exactly a slouch, because their engineers went straight for the penultimate version: the Z06. The car’s LS7 V8 began with 505 hp, and then Quanta squeezed in two 134 hp electric motors that are attached to the rear differential. That makes for a lot of horsepower, but what is really mind-shattering is the torque.

With the V8 roaring, and both electric motors screaming, the car will put out a black hole creating 1500 pound-feet of torque. Just for reference – and I am not kidding – that’s more torque than you get in a 54-ton M60 Patton tank.

Performance estimates are good, but maybe not quite as staggering as the power. The car can get to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and manage a standing quarter in 11.3 seconds. I know that I have no right to be disappointed with times like that, but with 1500 torques I was kind of hoping it would do 0-60 in negative time, like Superman turning back time. Unfortunately, the laws of traction are harsh and unforgiving.

The battery pack is lithium-polymer and is capable of being externally recharged, technically making this a plug-in hybrid. My guess, though, is that this feature was not designed for eco-friendliness so much as drag racing.

Right now the QHP770 is a one-off, but Quanta told gizmag.com that it is at least exploring the possibility of marketing an upgrade kit for the Z06.

Don’t be surprised if GM monitors this situation closely, as Chevy brass has already hinted at the idea of a factory hybrid Corvette. Undoubtedly, that’s going to be very upsetting to some traditionalists. I, however, think it’s great.

The Corvette began its life as a very high tech car, being one of the very first to use fiberglass and mechanical fuel injection – even though that system was unreliable and didn’t last. The new Corvette Stingray already has impressive mileage, and with a new turbocharged small displacement V8 possibly on the horizon, the ‘Vette could regain its former glory as a high-tech and now eco-friendly sports car.

Topics

Virtual Reality

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Peter is a freelance contributor to Digital Trends and almost a lawyer. He has loved thinking, writing and talking about cars…

Cars

EV warranties aren’t like those for non-electric cars. Here’s what you should know

Close up of the Hybrid car electric charger station with power supply plugged into an electric car being charged.

EVs are on the rise. With awesome new models finally rolling out and charging networks rapidly expanding, it feels like we're at the tipping point of electric cars being as mainstream as non-electric vehicles. But with a whole new type of vehicle come new challenges. One challenge is adapting to charging times. Another is paying closer to attention to range. And another, as some drivers are finding out, has to do with electric car warranties.

Turns out, the warranty that comes with electric cars isn't necessarily quite the same as the one that you might get with your non-electric car. If you really think about it, that's probably not all that surprising -- after all, while they can look the same, electric cars have a completely different makeup under the hood compared to their gas-powered cousins. But understanding an EV warranty could be the difference between winding up having to pay thousands for a battery replacement, or getting one repaired on the house.
It's not all new
Before diving into things like battery warranties, it's worth doing a quick primer on car warranties in general. EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles usually come with two different warranties -- at least when they're bought new. First, there's the basic warranty (also known as bumper-to-bumper warranty), which covers every part of a car except for basic maintenance, usually for up to three years or 36,000 miles.

Cars

The 10 best car battery brands in 2024

How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.

Cars

Tesla’s fix for faulty Cybertruck pedal is simpler than you might think

Tesla Cybertruck

Less than five months after handing over the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla has had to recall the electric pickup to fix an issue with the accelerator.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall impacts Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024. This suggests that all -- or almost all -- of the 3,878 Cybertrucks being recalled are those that have been manufactured to date.