Although the internet and automotive world at large are abuzz with the real possibility of a mid-engined Corvette coming, something new and front-engined is clearly on its way for the C7 Corvette generation.
Autoblog has the latest spy shots of what we deemed a mystery Corvette previously. Now, it’s looking like this could be the king ZR1 returning for the C7 generation. If you dial the spy shots in closely, this car has blue brake calipers, much like the C6 Corvette ZR1 sported. Remember, it was also deemed ‘The Blue Devil” for a reason.
There’s also some interesting fins at the rear of this possible C7 Corvette ZR1, and we can make out something wrapped up in the rear of the vehicle. This time around, the Corvette ZR1 could sport a wicked spoiler for additional downforce.
Up front, there are additional air inlets for cooling capabilities for an unknown engine. It’s likely a reworked 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 is hiding under the hood, but maybe the C7 ZR1 will usher in the long-rumored, twin-turbo LT5 small block V8. We can only guess at this point.
Rumors have pegged a debut date at the 2017 North American International Auto Show for the C7 Corvette ZR1, and if these prototypes in the wild are any indication, they very well could be correct.
Comments
Might be a Viper ACR fighter if they green light a big aero package.
If there was a ACR Viper next year.
Yes this will get a big aero package like the Z/28 will get.
I had seen a spy photo of a Corvette testing a large rear wing and not just a spoiler. This was with a story that stated there was a real track tuned car coming.
Sorry I have tried to find it but the story is being elusive at the moment.
This car will be the pinnacle of all front engine Corvettes and take advantage of what little room they have left for improvements in handling and power.
Expect 725-750 HP massive down force and less weight. This is a car for lap times not top speed.
The engine may be a basis for the first Emperor engine. Generally GM likes to do new platforms with older engines first to have less issues coming to market. Also they can stretch more development money by doing them desperately at different times.
I believe it’s a new LT5 small block TT v8 engine scott3, that will go into these C8 Zora mid-engine corvette. I don’t believe that these C8 corvette will go to a SC small block v8 engine as some reports stated. In these C7 ZR1 it is not going to be a SC LT4 engine at 6.2-liters, in displacement, I think these LT5 engine is going to be around 4.5liters in displacement.
Will see but that is not the pattern Chevy or Corvette has used.
Keep in mind they just spent a ton of money to move to the DI LT engines so do not expect it to go away soon.
I expect a V6 at some point but that may be left for later. That is just too much change at one time.
Turbo? Not so sure yet here.
I may be wrong but I am just not getting an noise on that yet.
Please ¡ 2018 ZR1 V8 7.0 L SUPERCHARGED 750 HP / 800 LB- PIE FT!!!!
If Chevy does decide to build a C7 Corvette ZR1, one has to assume that it will offer a major jump in performance over the Z06 which means engine output of 800-850 hp and match the engine with a suspension using lessons learned from the Corvette’s C7.R race program.
It is reported the C7 sees little benefit in performance over 750 HP and odds are great they will not go any higher. It is a case where more is not really better.
The race car pretty much has what the street cars has with just better settings for the track and things that just will not work on the street like lower ride height and ground FX.
What we will see in a greater use of down force with a large wing I beleive and other things on the car to generate more down force. That right now is the greatest issue with the car is getting the grip and power to the ground. Aero aids that really work will be employed.
Just check out the new Z/28 and the heavy use of aero aides that are functional.
keep in mind the C7R generally has less power than the street cars as it is restricted. Many people assume it has more but generally it is down on power to the ZR1 and Z06.