Report: New ‘Vette ECU May Derail Aftermarket Tuners

General Motors Co.’s next-generation Chevrolet Corvette will feature an encrypted engine control unit that improves cyber security but also may thwart aftermarket tuners, Muscle Cars & Trucks reports.

Attempts to alter the ECU to boost performance or make other changes will prevent the eighth-generation car from starting and require the ECU to be professionally rebooted or replaced altogether, according to the report.

Other performance cars also have used encrypted ECUs. But, for the most part, aftermarket tuners have found ways to work around such systems.

Cyber security will be a key part of the new electronics architecture GM is launching this year in the 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan. It isn’t clear if the all-new Vette will use the same system.

GM will unveil the long-awaited C8, which will be the first Corvette with a mid-engine layout, next month. The carmaker has provided few details about the two-seater.

Muscle Cars says the car will be powered by a dual-overhead cam V-8. Other reports point to an upgraded version of the current model’s 6.2-liter pushrod V-8.