If the name Zora means anything to you, you're probably a fan of Chevrolet's Corvette. Zora Arkus-Duntov was the guy who helped put a V-8 engine in the first-generation 'Vette, turning it from boulevard cruiser into something approximating a proper sports car--and further worked his magic on the Grand Sport program that took the Corvette C2 racing.

Interestingly, reports Autoblog (via GM Authority) GM has recently trademarked the name 'Zora'. Companies often do such things to protect parts of their history, but GM's reservation of the name specifically concerns "motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles". In other words, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Chevy will attach that name to a Corvette--one honoring the man himself, or a special performance model.

Nothing is set in stone just yet and, as Autoblog points out, it might be years before such a model appears. GM's spokesman says he doesn't know anything about using the Zora name, and aside from the upcoming Corvette Z06 and its corresponding convertible, we're not aware of any performance models on the way soon. But if such a thing is in the pipeline, it'll be a nice nod to someone instrumental in the history of one of America's best-loved vehicles.

The only production cars that will offer more horsepower than the new 2015 Corvette Z06 will be a handful of exotics, most of which cost over a million dollars.

Chevrolet has just revealed the official specs on its new LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with a rating of 650 hp at 6400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm.

Perhaps more impressive than the outright numbers are the torque stats. Not only will it deliver 625 lb-ft of torque at just 2800 rpm it actually delivers 457 lb-ft from idle. Yes, idle!2015 Corvette Z06

Compared to a Ferrari F12 the Z06 does make 12 percent less horsepower, but it also makes 28 percent more torque even though it’s torque doesn’t fully come on until 6,000 rpm.

Compared to the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the Z06 makes 90 more horsepower and 134 lb-ft more of torque. Stacked up to the previous Z06, the new model makes 40 percent more torque, while it even delivers 7.5 percent more than the ZR1.

“The LT4 small block sets a new benchmark for power and torque at GM,” said Steve Kiefer, vice president, GM Powertrain Engineering. “The engine also puts the new Corvette Z06 on par with the most powerful supercars offered in America, while delivering performance with impeccable manners that make it suitable for daily driving.”

John Hennessey discusses & test drives the HPE700 Supercharged C7 Corvette.

2014 CALLAWAY CORVETTE HP, TORQUE UPDATE: 627 bhp, 610 lb-ft

Callaway engineers have finalized Callaway Corvette powertrain management system calibration, following comprehensive vehicle testing and validation. Based on dynamometer testing with production-level components and calibration, the 2014 Callaway Corvette has been rated at 627 horsepower at 6400 RPM, a 167 hp increase over the stock Corvette baseline. Peak torque is rated at 610 lb-ft at 4400 RPM, 145 lb-ft greater than the stock LT1's output.

Callaway uses SAE certified power correction to compute horsepower and torque for its cars and trucks, employing the same method that Chevrolet and other vehicle manufacturers use. Using standard corrected computation for power and torque, as many aftermarket manufacturers use, the Callaway Corvette SC627 would be rated at 657 hp and 639 lb-ft of torque.

The graph shown below illustrates the power increase produced by Callaway's unique, new-for-2014 supercharger design (pat. pend.) and single acoustic chamber exhaust system. Note that horsepower increases consistently from idle to maximum engine speed, and avoids peaking at 6000 RPM. Note the broad torque curve, with output exceeding 500 lb-ft (SAE) at only 2200 RPM.

The supercharger system includes Callaway's new intake manifold design, its new intercooler design, and a 2300cc high helix angle, four-lobe rotor pack. Callaway developed the new long-runner manifold to increase mid-range torque, producing 57 lb-ft (SAE) more than last year's Callaway Corvette. The engineers also devised a new intercooler system with three discrete liquid-to-air cooling elements, providing unequalled inlet air cooling efficiency. Plus, by extending the supercharger housing through the hood, convective heat transfer yields additional reduction of inlet air temperature. Reducing inlet air temperature provides more oxygen molecules for a given volume of air, increasing power while helping to prevent engine-damaging detonation. However, supercharging inherently increases air temperature as it increases air pressure. Unchecked, this can result in negating the supercharger's positive effects. Callaway's new intercooler configuration practically eliminates this temperature increase, as proven repeatedly during product development testing on the dyno and at the race track.