It’s become more evident with these spy shots the Corvette team has something serious up its sleeve. While this could be a track-packaged Corvette Z06 X, we’ll refer to it as the C7 Corvette ZR1 until we learn otherwise.
So, what’s going on with this C7 Corvette ZR1? A lot. Spy shots from AutoGuide show us the best glimpse of the vehicle yet. Even better: the C7 ZR1 seems to have ditched some of its camouflage, giving us a clear view of the front of the vehicle.
Aerodynamics look to be playing a major part in this rumored C7 Corvette ZR1. What’s left of the camo seems to be hiding massive air intakes and a front lip spoiler up front, and maybe even some carbon fiber thrown in for good measure.
From the side, the C7 Corvette ZR1 sports unique, star-shaped wheels we haven’t seen on a C7 Corvette and they’re wrapped in utterly massive tires. Behind those star-shaped wheels sit some pretty beefy brakes, too.
This prototype doesn’t sport the giant rear wing we saw in early spy shots, but two posts at the rear decklid let us know it’s still part of the formula.
Rumor has it this hardcore Corvette ZR1 will debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show and will serve as a send-off before a mid-engine Corvette arrives for the 2019 model year. Power? Yeah, it will have that, too. Expect around 700 hp from this ZR1.
Comments
C7 Corvette ZR1 with 700 horsepower as this isn’t very much unless the car has a suspension update that’s better than the Z06 because if it’s not, does another 50 hp really worthy of the ZR1 name because you usually associate something over the top.
Actually the suspension is fine it is the down force that is lacking.
Randy Probst clearly found the Z06 was a great car and great suspension but there was not enough down force to get the full effect from it.
As it is the C7 per the claim of the Corvette engineers can go 750 HP with help but not much more. This is why they are looking to move the engine back.
I think you will find the ZR1 or what ever they call it will have much more than 700 HP and the wing and nose on this car that is well covered yet will yield a lot of down force. This is not going to be a 210 MPH car but it will have so much more stick in the corners that lap times will fall a significant degree.
We will see the same with the coming Z/28 where it will have tons of down force with a similar engine.
Why do you think the Dodge boys are adding bigger tires to their car. Their HP numbers will be eclipsed and the grip of a more modern suspension on the Chevys will show much faster lap times.
The reason the Viper was fast is because of the wing and nose down force.
Now when GM goes to the C8 it will let them handle as well and have less need for down force to apply the grip.
Either way this will be a great car and the C8 will surpass it.
I still feel that corvette needs to stay with the engine in the front. Anything less will be a different car entirely. If they want to change things up, make an entirely new car. (mid engine would basically be a entirely new car anyways) I still feel as well as an engineer that front engine cars are more stable. Europeans use mid engines for weight distribution, but that isnt required that the engine be in the back. the moment is more stable with the engine in the front, kinda like a dually is more stable in pulling (somebody is going to say that these are sport cars, not trucks, but they missed the physics lesson, so wth) I feel motors in the front are the future of sport cars, and Gm can definnitly take the lead in its application
Leave the engine in the front. Change would be like starting all over. The Corvette is not broke, as of today. My new z-06 is not broke. change the engine to the rear end (mid engine) you can say good bye to our sports car. I have owned 33 corvettes. Leave it alone!!!!
We heard this on the hide away headlamps when they were removed. We heard this when the tail lamps went to square…… We heard this in 84 when it got more expensive ….
Yet it is still with us today.
If you leave it alone and make no progress you will run the risk of the Dodge Viper and go away because of todays competitive market.
Chevy can not let the car rot on the vine like they did with the C3 and do little with the car if they want to keep it viable today.
Besides who knows they may offer both if sales remain up on the C7. Sales of a C8 may determine the life o the C7 as if it tanks when the C8 arrives it may only last a year or so. If sales remain strong then it may stay longer?
Lets just see what happened.
Chevy is keeping the older Vette owner in mind but they also have to address the Vette owner of the Future and right now the ownership is sliding to an older age and they need to address younger buyers in the future.