The 2025 model year will bring some heavy firepower to bear in the sports car segment, with Chevy poised to unveil the C8 Corvette ZR1. With a fresh forced induction engine and huge aero enhancements, the C8 ZR1 will slot in as the new top dog in the mid-engine Corvette lineup. Now, GM Authority has learned that GM recently gave Chevy dealers a glimpse at the C8 Corvette ZR1 during a secret meeting.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Chevy dealers gathered for the national dealers’ meeting late last year were actually shown two models prior to their big public reveal, the first of which was the all-new 2025 Chevy Equinox, which was officially unveiled last month. The second model, however, was something of a surprise – a prototype C8 Corvette ZR1 wearing full camouflage.
Although the Chevy brass did not provide any details or specs, it was hinted that the new ZR1 would equip a twin-turbocharged V8 engine. GM Authority was the first to report that the ZR1 would rock a forced-induction powerplant, specially a twin-turbocharged variant of the 5.5L V8 LT6 that motivates the C8 Z06. The new twin-turbo 5.5L V8 will likely carry the name LT7.
In addition to some impressive engine output, the C8 Corvette ZR1 is also expected to equip all the trimmings required to make good use of it on the racetrack. Spy photos reveal the new ZR1 running positively massive aero enhancements, chief of which is a large rear wing to keep the tail planted at speed. The enhancements will also include a large front hood air extractor vent situated between the headlights, an additional set of side air intakes located behind the primary side air intakes, and new multi-spoke alloy wheels shod in super-sticky rubber. We even rendered what the new ZR1 will look like, so check that out for more eye candy.
As always, we’ll be there every step of the way as the C8 Corvette ZR1 heads for its big debut and launch, so make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Chevy Corvette news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Because they need more lead time to figure the Market “gouging” adjustment.
Absolutely correct about those greedy dealers conspiring new ways to take advantage of there corvette enthusiasts, however I’ve and other more influential automobile writers conducted several surveys “and I hope the hell they’re all reading this” with the majority of them NOT willing to pay-out one penny more than MSRP no mater what model is offered!
GM needs to also be MORE concerned in how they handled the mark-up of the Z06’s at the dealership level which was nothing more than a weak scolding! There all in for a rude awakening if this trend continues on.
Last week when contacting dealerships responding to there posted ads through multiple online automotive shopping platform businesses most of them posted new 2024 Z06’s at 128k for a 2LT coupe In stock mind you. I won’t bore you with each of there responses but will share with you the most ridiculous response to date which was “ the posted MSRP doesn’t reflect the $85k additional donation fee”. “What” I asked trying not to outright laugh into the phone and it was explained that the dealers owner is involved with many nationally known charitable foundations and gives to each equally! I hope everyone reading this post is as touched as I in the load of BS that these low life dealers will go to in taking this iconic vehicle away from most people not being able to afford or be part of this SCAM, and I really hope GM realizes how there brand will suffer from the greed of their dealerships!!!!
First some need to realize GM is limited on what they can do to these dealers. Most are restricted with allocations but they still will mark up the cars they did get.
Second if people would not pay the price the dealers would not do it. It is the customers with more money vs sense that are the problem.
There are good dealers that are being fair and you can find them if you shop around. I have a local dealer that is selling used C8 modes around $70k with few miles on them. So if you really want one you can buy one fairly,
As for the Z06 they were more but they cost more too. they had one at a fair price.
To be honest I am fine driving my C5 right now and once prices drop as more cars come on the market they will be priced right. Let someone else east the depreciation.
As for building more no. This is a two seat car and you will only sell so many. The best thing is to limit the high end cars to keep the values up for the customers. If you over build they become less valuable and a bad deal for the customer.
GM is lucky they have a great image car and it is now appealing to new buyers and will do GM a lot of good. Unlike the Ford GT that you only see in magazines these are cars you see all over.
Besides it can bet worse. I just read where a guy who owns two V8 Ferraris wanted to buy their SUV. He was turned down. He got help from a journalist. They then said it will be 3 years and by the time it is delivered he has to buy at least one V12 new or used Ferrari.
So don’t go crying a river here. Most of those complaining will never own one of these or even a Corvette. Cars like the Corvette are a fine balance of volume but still enough to not make it so everyone has one. That I want it and can’t have it is what plays with many buyers to own one.
As for the dealers. If you are that dumb to pay the price more power to em. It is the idiots paying the price that are the problem. Always has been and always will be. Let them eat the depreciation and then you can enjoy a Corvette that already is a good market value.
It’s a Corvette mate, the base C8 stingray isn’t anything special. But it’s an absolute performance bargain and drives better than anything else in it’s price range. GMs best bet is to build them to demand. The car should dictate the value not how rare it is.
15 dealers disliked my comment
I have an allocation for a 2025 zr1 but the dealer ship wants an additional 100,000.00 mark up….
Waiting time … 5 years.
They can’t meet the demand for the C8 let alone the Z06, E-Ray and they are getting to introduce the ZR1 which are all built on the same assembly line in Bowling Green. You would think with such high demand GM would invest in building another facility for the Corvette brand. But no, they are investing in building EVs and in facilities in Mexico, Good luck.
We do not need another Corvette Assembly plant. There is room to grow the current one IF it ever becomes necessary. I live close enough to Corvette that I can hear them racing at the NCM track and was born and raised in Bowling Green, Ky.
It’s the same gig for the C8 as it is the Ford maverick. The C8 hit bumps with the pandemic, plus they are appealing to new customers who like the mid engine look. They don’t need smoother facility. Sales will stabilize once they get their backlog filled, and once used examples hit the market. Once that point is reached, they will have enough units to exactly meet demand. No point making another line or hiring another shift just to shut it all down in a year or two.
Steven,
I was on the wait list for 2.5 years for a Z06. The dealer (Hendrick) could not give me an order date. He said, it would most likely be another year before you will be able to place an order and 6-8 month to get it. So basically I would have to wait 4.5 to 5 years to get a Z06. That said, I cancelled my order and they returned my deposit. In parallel I went to another dealership and placed a deposit on an E-Ray 8 months ago. I was told I was 92 on the list and most likely it will be a year before I can actually place an order. Once ordered it will take 6-8 months until delivery. Both you and CY said they don’t need another facility and I have to disagree. Running the C8, Z06, E-Ray, ZR1 and the upcoming Zoro on the same assembly line will never get their backlog filled to meet the demand for the Corvette. GM is losing thousands of customers to Corvette’s competitors because they cannot meet the demand.
The problem is, you’re not going to run a second plant to build a low volume sports car. Demand or not, the economics don’t work. If they built every last C8 they could sell you’re still looking at a good bit less than 100k cars a year.
Mark,
You said it is a low volume sports car. If that is the case then why can’t they meet demand. They built a total of 53,785 C8’s in 2023 6,413 were Z06’s that’s 12% of total. Now they are adding the E-Ray for 2024 and the ZR1 for 2025 and Zero for 2026. So if they only can build on average of 54,000 C8’s per year and only can build 12% for Z06, how many are going to be allocated for the E-ray, followed by the ZR1 and finally the Zoro? They spent 1,000’s on marketing for the Z06 and E-Ray yet it takes a minimum of 3 years to place an order and get delivery. As I mentioned I had a deposit on a Z06 for 2.5 years and the dealer said it would be at least year before I place an order. I ordered a lot of exotic sports cars over my lifetime and never waited 2-3 years to get one. GM has an awesome product and either has to increase it production or set customers order/delivery expectations in their marketing material.
I don’t know why they can’t (or won’t?) meet demand, all I’m saying is that a second plant to just build Corvettes is not happening. If the C8 shared its chassis and a lot of its components with another car then maybe you could run some down the line with that other car, kind of like how Lansing built the Alpha Camaro and Cadillacs together, but obviously that isn’t the case.
Obviously GM has factories that pump out far greater volume than Bowling Green, so someone in the know would need to explain what makes C8 production uniquely challenging – or, if GM is artificially squeezing supply.
Just in time to further screw up the demand time for the LOWER level!
It’s too bad the most exciting vehicles GM has in the pipeline are 6 figures.
Ya, and this one won’t start with a 1 either. Ridiculous. Had a 2017 stingray in Admiral Blue with the Z71 package, transparent roof, 7 speed manual and carbon flash package and it was $59,000 Canadian with my retiree discount. Now GM has wheel packages for almost half that price. This world is losing its way.
Z71 package?
Ya, fat fingers hit the 7 instead of the 5.
A turbo LT6 leaves room for one more step in the ladder. An LT7+electric front drive.
Like the twin-turbo idea. Corvette is short changed with fighting to use a naturally aspirated V8 in IMSA and elsewhere as well as Cadillac. The TT’s the competitors just work better in subtle ways. I know, I own TT Cadillac and a NA Corvette. Hated to concede but TT’s just sneak up on you an kick you in the butt. Its like arm wrestling someone and you know you have him beat then some other guy steps in and the two of them slam you.
Put on another shift and satisfy the current demand then bring on the next big dogs and kick butt.
What could be more awesome than a C8 ZR1 with a manual transmission??
All C8 have manual transmission shifted by electronic controls automatically
A twin clutch isn’t a manual by any regards. They have a pump, solenoids, TCM, and clutches. Just because they use parallel shafts vs inline shafts doesn’t make them a manual. FYI, the Ford model T manual used planetary gears like an automatic. Wasn’t an auto,
The 10L90 actually shifts faster and is more efficient at putting power to the ground than the corvette C8 twin clutch by tremec. The reason for the Tremec is they had this designed since 2018, so GM had a ready to go transmission. No design input required. The GM hydromatics are way better though
Look folks, Chevy sold 34,353 units last year and similar in ’23. The demand for C8 is so strong, it easily outsells competitors combined so GM needs to keep it special and not overproduce which the competitors can’t meet the sales volume themselves.
The only vehicle that is second in sales volume but still outclass by the Corvette by volume by two miles is the 911. The Corvette is not like any Corvette before it and GM has a nice problem to deal with demand overwhelming supply.
Corvette needs an aura all to itself to be in conversations next to the 911, R8, NSX and etc. So the Corvette is cool again and it was not cool in a very long time. The C7 somewhat came close but it did not brought in hardly any new buyers to take it seriously.
Not the same class of vehicle. Nice try though.
LS3 welcome to 2024 and yes a manual transmission option would be ok..but you can’t outshine or out shift the new automatic transmissions! 😉 😂
Another toy for the rich. When are they going to make a v8 muscle sports car that us peasants can afford.
Miss the days of them giving us optional V8’s in cheap economy cars, like the Nova back in the day
Like I basically said above, if you find electric CUVs and the latest $150,000 C8 variant interesting then GM is your company. Beyond that? …..
They don’t want us peasants to be able to afford V8 muscle machines anymore…🤌🤌🤌
They offered one – it was called the 6th generation 2016-2024 Camaro SS. Awesome muscle car. But, GM abandoned the car by not advertising and promoting it, so sales dropped. It has the 6.2 liter C7 motor coupled with a 6-speed manual in the excellent GM Alpha chassis that under pins some of the current Caddy V-series cars. Glad I bought one and totally love the car.
It wasn’t because GM didn’t advertise or market it, that car was in so many racing series markets plenty of people saw it. They didn’t do much less than the other two (Mustang and Challenger) in terms of advertising, the market is just dying. The three have to share 120k sales roughly a year and falling. And without being able to share a platform with sedans dying, the business case just isn’t there. The others are heading towards electric with the Challenger about dead. On top of that, they designed the Camaro to be the best sports car in that class which hurt the daily drivability (smaller size, less weight, worse sightlines, smaller storage, etc). Most the cars for all three that are sold are V6 entry level models, so if it doesn’t do well as a DD, that hurts it even though it can tear up a track better. A bunch has gone wrong, the Mustang is holding on and the Challenger is changing, blame the consumers, not GM…
Yup. Had a 2019 2SS 1LE manual. Incredible car….period!!! Daily drive it or throw it into the twisties and be absolutely stunned at how fast it ripped corners apart. Miss that car BIG TIME!!
Nah. Just give me a good running ’62 327 4-speed driver. Plenty of fun!
COVID taught the automakers a very valuable lesson in keeping demand high and availability low. The last thing GM wants is a flooded Corvette market. They don’t have to incentivize it. You people don’t honestly believe that production is shut for a week here and week there because of a parts shortage do you. If so, I got a nice plot of land for you in Florida.
This was already disproved to be inaccurate. They showed the GT3 sellable race car at this event and a ton of dealers left thinking they got to see the ZR1. Queue the dumb youtubers who will run with this.
And in 1976, the ancient St.Louis , Mo plant cranked out over 46K .
All without robots, so let’s not get into complexities of the C8 vs. C3
I visited that plant in November 1975.
Factoid: It was tougher to get a 2023 -24 Camaro.
Had nothing to do with plant size.
Trucks, trucks, trucks and small and large suvs; millions times 6to30 thousand a piece. 54,000 Corvettes is nice ice cream on top of the pie. 6bolt wheels on blazer, 8 bolts on electric silverado. lot of torque to handle . no incentives to sell units. whoa, 10 billion profits shown , damn how much can i hide???? Maybe one day i’ll be able to out run and electric. But since 1930, electromotive has known that ev s are the way to go before hydrogen . I’m to old to swim during Global warming, how about you?