Earlier today, we brought you spy shots showcasing the C7 Corvette ZR1 testing at the Nürburgring. Now, how about some video to accompany those?
The C7 Corvette ZR1 was filmed getting wet and slushie on the semi-snowy roads at the ‘Ring, but that didn’t stop it from putting some serious power down. Interestingly, and maybe it’s just our ears, we don’t seem to hear any forced induction going on in the audio. The distinct whine from the 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 seems to be missing. But, again, it may simply be the audio.
Or, maybe it’s the long-rumored return of a DOHC V8 for the Corvette. Leaked documents last year showed a 6.2-liter LT5 V8 engine as inbound for the 2018 model year of Corvette, and the ZR1 would seem like a likely home for such an engine. The ZR1 may also be boasting active aero technology, per patent images discovered earlier this year.
As for when we’ll see the C7 Corvette ZR1 debut, we’re still unsure. Though, most recent reports have once again pointed to an August debut at an IMSA event. In the meantime, take in the spy video footage by pressing play right up above.
Comments
Chevrolet C7 Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter probably wanted to know whether the larger rear wing provided sufficient down force on the rear wheels as this was something Chevy never fixed in their Z06; you can’t really tell what type of engine might be under the hood from the sound it was making.
This video should have been posted as well. You can hear the supercharger.
Am I the only one who thinks perhaps that power bulge hood is for the extra clearance needed for a DOHC engine? I think perhaps this is a stripped down Z06, perhaps the long rumored Z06X? The ZR1 may be the mid engined car…
Why do people dislike the big rear wing? We have seem this type of wings on other cars in the past and I think they are outstanding. But we will hear from plenty of people who say I would never drive a car with a wing like that even if the wing does add more down force to make the car drive better during all driving conditions!
Where do you stand?
I find the aesthetic a bit cartoonish and feel let down in general by this gen’s much too juvenile styling. But I respect it for the machine it is. (And wish I was fortunate enough to be overpaid enough to afford one.)
How can you say it’s cartoonish? Being cartoon mean make believe. This is real! Not just tacked on for looks!
I would be gettting ahead of myself if I said it appears tacked on, but I think it’s safe to say it’s not exactly restrained (nor will it do anything at legal speeds). If they[re going full semi-race car with this version that’s cool, but I for one don’t need the attention. Different strokes I guess…
It’s not about getting attention! It’s about having the most grip via down force you can have. Your say legal speeds, so your telling me that on a road course you never drop below 75?