While evidence continues to mount that a mid-engine Corvette is imminent as soon as 2017, everybody remains rightfully skeptical. Even us. Even when our sources say it’s actually coming. Because, come on, how often have we all been burned before by the thought of a mid-engine Corvette, only to constantly have our hopes given up. Like rooting for the Detroit Lions, it all seems so very futile. But the dream lives. And that dream has a name: Zora. Or ZR1. Or Zora ZR1. Nobody is 100 percent sure at this point.
“A mid-engine Corvette? Yeah, okay, thanks for the clickbait that’s been happening since 1963,” everybody keeps saying.
Well, what do you say to the photos of this test mule found on Motoring Exposure? An apparent mish-mash of slapped together parts of a Chevrolet Malibu and a Corvette, complete with a crude set of exhaust pipes and a random reverse light nestled in between them. The rear wheels are C7, while the rear brakes appear Malibu. The front of the car is a Harlequin with a black bumper, with an odd grille that only half-covers what’s behind it, and a white hood strangely fitted with pins.
This could very well be the 2017 Corvette Zora ZR1, but something’s off here. Something is not adding up.
What makes us think that something’s aloof? Aside from the random Corvette badging over the plastic wrap (GM test cars never show any sort of branding), this mule sports New York plates, registered to a Malibu, and not Michigan manufacturer plates. Whether it’s real or not, it deserves our attention. Because if it is real, it’s time to stop looking at mid engine Corvette reports as simply moonshot rumors. If it’s nothing, this driver deserves an award for creativity and trolling the internet.
Comments
New York plate FXR1219 is registered to a “2013 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT W/Eassist”, so I’m going to say we’re being trolled.
I guess it is nothing, and plus those look like Ferrari taillights with a 1996 civic bolt on exhaust
I hope this is something rather then nothing, I can remember about 14-16 months ago the LTS was being tested all mashed up with caprice body parts and now we are around the corner from it being unveiled,
Why would they camouflage it and then put a Corvette logo on it? I smell BS. Especially with the NY plates and non manufacturer camp.
Meant “non-manufacturer camo”… The white is BS. They tried too hard by adding the logo
Just my first impression, but I see some Aston Martin. The rear lower clip is definitely the C7’s, but the upper rear looks like its trying to “imitate” the Aston V12 Zagato. And the lower front clip/grille looks like its off the Aston Rapide.
http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2014-aston-martin-rapide_100422373_l.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Aston_Martin_V12_Zagato_(6146789519).jpg
I know, its a stretch and makes no sense. Looking closely, the rake on the trunk looks photo-shopped, the badges look added, and the whole thing makes no sense.
It “feels” fake.
I am going with “Epic Ruse”, haha. For one main reason, why would GM put what looks like 458 Italia tail lights and Berlinetta reverse lights on the rear?
Nothing to see here. Moving on…
What puzzles me is this.
While this does not add up it is also not a collection of cheap parts.
Ferrari Tail lights, a new Malibu and C7 rear wheels but yet a small rear brake disc?
Not sure who or why here. I know there is a mid engine program but this is just very odd and also why NY? They normally do not test in areas like that.
Just looks like an expensive prank but why?
Those “Ferrari lights” could also just be cheap round brake lights slapped on. A lot of things in this picture make sense, and at the same time, none of it makes sense. GM officials I reached out to told me they “have no idea what that is.” and “that’s one ugly mule.”
Yes they could be but still the Corvette parts and a new Malibu is not cheap for some guy in a shop to do at this point for a joke.
I know the new C8 is coming but this one here just does not look like a GM deal. It just does not fit their mode and location if they are looking to keep it quiet.
Might note the Z06 in Colorado testing out of sight and mind. It may be high alt testing but if they were looking for low and hot they would be in Death Valley then.
We have a company local here that makes GTP Vette and GS reproductions. Mongoose motors sports. I wonder if some small company may be doing some testing on a old wreck Malibu for some kind of after market car the are building.
But then again the stories out on the C8 were not by chance as GM leaks when they want to leak anymore. That is why everyone had the story and not just one like the C7 leak a couple years ago.
I think GM is leaking this and we will hear more on the higher power soon because of the release of the Mustang and Hellcat. A little one upsmanship.
The hell…?
If it is mid-engined Zora, it should have some air intake in the rear, but it doesn’t.
It would be very interesting If they test Malibu SS and Corvette at same time in ‘hybrid-mule’ (which is going to be bullshit lol)
Looking at rear corvette wheel and rear bumper,
front aston martin look like grill,
and 458 tail light…
guess someone had just mixed up every stuff he can get.
“Asto-talia-vett-libu”?
GM is already testing full-body E2xx Malibu prototypes (2016 MY), so it wouldn’t make sense that a performance model would be testing in this sort of guise.
is it me or is the rear door windows seemed to be filled with “steam vapor”?
Anybody who thinks this is a C8 needs to have a reality check. An abortion or a guy with a sense of humour.
I did note the steam in the windows and the front shot is covered with the label so you can not see if there is a firewall.
I am not going to call this a C8 but there is something going on by someone here to do something. Now could this be a mule for a after market car or something like this be a mule for a non GM project? Like I said we have a company here that takes present Corvette drivelines and puts them into a mid engine Corvette GTP reproduction that is street legal. Note it is one cool car. Look it up at Mongoose Motorsports.
While I will not call it a GM mule I find it just a little expensive for someone to just pulling a gag here. The cost of the parts in view are not cheap like the wheels and tires or even the emblem just for a prank.
I think it is just something someone non GM is working on that may be used in some aftermarket car. That would be my guess if I had to make one.
I will say that is the new Chevy small rear drive sport car to compete with the Toyota Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ .
Ok for the people who thinks this I a ruse I have one question.
Now I am not going to claim this is a GM deal as I am skeptical too. But who would spend the money to trash a new Malibu and buy new C7 wheels tires and emblems then spend all the time cobbling this mess up. For a joke it would be very expensive to do. On the other hand why would GM be driving in Long Island with such a car if they were keeping it quiet.
We have conflict either way.
No matte what I will warn the nay sayers about the Mid Engine car. There is more to the story than you think. the bread crumbs are out there.
It’s about damn time GM. You’re only behind a few decades. Make sure it’s an AWD LT4 supercharged 800 + BHP to all wheels and just maybe you be competitive in the super car market.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/c8-chevrolet-corvette-will-be-a-mid-engined-american-supercar-cdsynd