The C8 Corvette ZR1 is making waves as the fastest, most powerful production vehicle to ever wear the Corvette nameplate. That said, there’s another model coming down the pipe that’s expected to one-up the C8 ZR1, specifically the new Corvette Zora. Named after Zachary “Zora” Arkus-Duntov, the highly celebrated GM engineer often referred to as the “Father of the Corvette,” GM has yet to provide anything official on the upcoming Corvette Zora, but that hasn’t stopped a mountain of speculation as to what it’ll offer. Which leads us to ask – what if the Corvette Zora is in fact a C8 ZR1 package?
The idea that the Corvette Zora will be a C8 ZR1 package, rather than a standalone model, actually lines up with earlier GM Authority speculation that the Zora is likely to be a “de-contented” track-focused model. For those readers who may have missed it, we’ve already seen the new Zora testing at the Nürburgring race track with what appears to be a hybrid powertrain, as indicated by a two-piece radiator design similar to the hybrid C8 E-Ray. As such, the new Zora is expected to combine the twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine that powers the C8 ZR1 with a new front-mounted electric motor, yielding all-wheel grip and even more power.
We also expect the new Zora to delete several items from the C8 features list in the name of greater track focus, including advanced driver assistance systems, wireless device charging systems, and sound absorption / sound deadening material. We also expect the Zora to swap in lightweight items like thinner glass and race-specific seats. The approach could be similar to that taken with the fifth-generation Chevy Camaro Z/28.
Put all together, and the new Corvette Zora looks to be quite the machine. But all of the above speculation can still be accomplished as a package upgrade, rather than a standalone model. What’s more, a hypothetical Zora package would also line up with comments made by former Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter that the ZR1 would be the most expensive C8 variant, given the new Zora would technically exist as a package within the ZR1 umbrella.
GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft explores these possibilities in the eighth episode of the Chevy Society podcast.
“I think ZR1 Zora has a nice ring to it,” Luft says.
Hit play on the video at the top of this post to see the full podcast.
Comments
Well we know it won’t be more expensive. And we know there is no more power. So lighter and more track focused is what to expect.
Now if it is considered a ZR1 or just a Zora is not going to make much difference.
We already have the Track focused ZR1 with a big wing but still all the options. The Zora deserves a stand alone package.
The Z/28 was its own deal. It was not an SS option.
What do you mean “we all know it won’t be more expensive” or that “there is no more power”? It’s going to be far more expensive, the addition of the e-ray style hybrid front will add to the price substantially and it will also certainly add more power. The projections have the Zora with at least 1224HP and who knows what tricks the engineers have up their sleeves.
I agree the Zora will be a line all it’s own, not a package of the ZR1 and it rightly should be. They have one goal with this car, make it the best corvette ever and I expect they will do everything they can.
Call it “Zora R1”
“I think ZR1 Zora has a nice ring to it.” I like it too.
Mr. Lopez and Mr. Luft, great article, however, your e-publication has made the same mistake as a few times, re: Zachary “Zora” Arkus-Duntov, the highly celebrated GM engineer often referred to as the “Father of the Corvette,”
There is only one ‘Father of the Corvette” and that is Harley Earl.
As any Corvette enthusiast knows, the Corvette was introduced to the world on January 17, 1953 at the GM Motorama held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City.
After seeing the Corvette at the Motorama, Zora sent a letter to, and then met with, Ed Cole and others with the idea of working for GM/Chev on the Corvette.
As a result, Zora became an employee of GM/Chevrolet on May 1, 1953, but only as an Assistant Staff Engineer, albeit, long after the Corvette introduction.
The Corvette Community, and as exemplified by the National Corvette Museum’s display honoring Zora, acclaim Zora as the “Godfather of the Corvette,” even though Zora is significant in the history, heritage, and success of the Corvette.
Historically speaking, Harley Earl was Grand Marshall, and his concept car, the Le Sabre, was parade car, for the September, 1951 Watkins Glen Grand Prize Races. Sitting in the Le Sabre along Franklin Street, just feet from the racing cars, Earl was inspired and conceived the idea America needed a sports car and GM needed to build it.
Upon returning to Detroit, Earl started the secret Project Opel, aka XP-122, b-t-w which at one time was almost named Cougar, with Myron Scott coming up with the name Corvette … referencing a small, fast, nimble warship.
Your historical accuracy is correct. While Zora is an important part of Corvette history and I have always admired his vision and engineering skills, Harley Earl needs more credit, if it were not for him there would be no Corvette. Thank you, Mr. Earl and Mr. Duntov for my C8 Z06. It is awesome.
While Harley got it into production tge car would only be a foot note Today if not for Zora.
The car was never a success and was on the verge of dying till Zora stepped in and framed the car as a V8 powered sports car with real spirts car credentials.
Harley’s car was just a crude 6 cylinder that never would have survived.
So you can make all the claim but this car owes its existence and it hertitsge to all Zora made it.
Besides you can’t call it a Harley and the Earl sounds bad. So Zora it is.
Earl was like Thunder while Zora the lightning that did all the work.
I’m not arguing with you at all, but the Corvette would have inherited the V8 anyway in 1955 since that was the first year Chevrolet had a V8. The 55′ Thunderbird first year production also had a V8. I was 11 yoa and car fan even then. That was a great time to be alive and watch the development of some really great cars. I graduated high school when the 409 was king of the hill, great memories.
what bad news the Zora to became a package of the ZR1 as a tracj edition.
I have always expected to have Zora for daily use. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mc Laren produce supercars for street use.
Or make a package Zora, and second package track edition.
I just want an American Car that kicks the hell out of the euro Designs that we have failed for years to compete with.
There will be Tarriffs on these . Extra on Orange units
Poor miserable little Claude
Still suffering from TDS
Harley Earl was the inspiration, others at GM were the perspiration. Back in the 50s, auto journalistic community members dubbed him as, “Mr. Automobile” so it’s easy to understand he was the entire company’s giant hit-maker. It’s not that hard to understand, people today just fail to realize the scope of this particular leader, Harley J. Earl (HJE), because he led by “attraction” vs “promotion.” All GM’s products were this leader’s amazing works of art and engineering. For example, every single important product design General Motors and its major subsidiaries created from the 1930s going into the early ’60s have his fingerprints all over them. Not to mention, HJE created the operating system technology (the entire automotive design profession…yes, he’s America’s Car Design Pioneer) which every global automotive engineering company today use as the gold standard to birth all their major products. Finally, was Harley Earl a talented engineer? Yep, went through Stanford’s Engineering Dept.
Zora was all about going fast, He was a racer who won his Lemans class in a Porsche in both 1954 & 1955. From 1956 thru 1971 the Corvette became a better sports car every year. Airbox Fuel Injection, 4 speed transmission & racing suspension were available in 1957. Independent rear suspension and the Z06 racing package showed up in 1963. Four wheel disc brakes & the 396 big block were a option in 1965. The L88 motor was first available in 1967 and ran thru 1969 The ZR1 / ZR2 racing package was available from 1970 thru 1972. Zora was the driving force behind making the Corvette a sports car we love. He deserves the honor of having his name on the fastest world class track attack Corvette.