GM just released official pricing information for the new C8 Corvette ZR1, announcing a starting MSRP just under $175,000. The new C8 ZR1 is the latest range-topping model in the C8 lineup, offered as the fastest, most powerful production Vette ever made. Critically, the new C8 ZR1 will have a longer production run than the preceding C7 ZR1.
During a recent interview with Chevy Corvette Product Marketing Manager Harlan Charles, GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft asked if the C8 Corvette ZR1 will enjoy a longer production run than the C7 ZR1.
“I think that’s probably fair to say, since the C7 ran for just two years at the end of its life cycle,” Charles told GM Authority.
The C7 ZR1 was introduced for the 2019 model year, and at the time was framed as the most powerful production Vette ever. Highlights included the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT5, rated at 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque, as well as more aggressive aerodynamics, unique chassis and suspension tuning, and other go-fast goodies.
2019 Corvette ZR1
However, the C7-generation Corvette ZR1 was only available for a single model year before its discontinuation immediately before the the launch of the next-generation C8 for the 2020 model year. Looking ahead, we expect the C8 ZR1 to be offered through at least the 2027 model year, though it will likely live even longer than that.
Given the C8 Corvette ZR1 will be in production for longer than the preceding C7 ZR1 and will therefore be “available” for longer, it reasons to assume that the C8 ZR1 will be “easier” to buy, despite the fact that the C8 ZR1 is substantially more expensive than the C7 ZR1.
For reference, GM has offered a ZR1 variant across five total Corvette generations, including the C3, C4, C6, C7, and C8. The latest C8 Corvette ZR1 variant cradles the twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine, which is rated at 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque.
Every C8 variant is built of the GM Y2 platform, with production taking place at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
Comments
175k???? That’s WAY under what I thought.
So in other words, these are going to depreciate just as badly as the Z06s and the E-rays. My son is on the list for the ZR1, I’ll make sure he doesn’t get ripped off by the dealerships. So, he probably has to wait 2 more years.
Ron
Too early to say about depreciation…
They have just been launched…
Here’s the solution to depreciation: If you never plan to sell it, depreciation means nothing.
Exactly.
And all the Toyota and Lexus loyalists scream “RESALE VALUE!!!”…
A sensible man does not focus on RESALE, but also maintains his car well.
Poor design is a probably flaw that is made to allow more volume, otherwise the car would be more expensive. This applies for mass produced products such as Yukons/Tahoes (yes they are expensive already, but still…)
Then again, for any ZR1, you SHOULD NOT expect any flaws whatsoever (eg: in the C6 Z06, the valve springs would kaboom the engine which was disappointing)
If you were saddled with a 70’s and 80’s vette, you’d could have never imagined in your wildest dreams there be a vette like this. However, a person will never hit the top speed in this car. Hang it out regularly at a race track. So this absolute brute of car will hit 60 MPH 7/10 of a a second faster than a base corvette but cost two and half times as much. Buy a base corvette and count your blessings that for 70 grand you have an outstanding vehicle.
I already have a 2024 Z51 Stingray. Good car. Good mileage/fuel tank range for a 500 hp car. I think a lot of people only think about horsepower. But thanks to turbocharging, the LT7 has 800+ foot pounds of torque that will fix the LT6 “torque deficit” of it’s flat plane crankshaft. Much better passing power… Usable. A C8 ZR1 will be a nice addition to my GM turbocharged car collection (1987 Grand National and 1989 Turbo Trans Am Pace Car).
The ZR1 is amazing, but I’m more interested in the C9.
I hope that’s true for a lot of potential buyers. It will make the years-long order reservation lists for a C8 ZR1 a little shorter for me.
And already some dealers are already saying 100,000 over msrp!!
GM really needs to deal with these shenanigans. It’s certainly not winning them any points with customers, myself included.
It’s not GM that is the problem. GM doesn’t make any more money when dealers jack up the prices. Use a dealer that only sells MSRP.
The dealer bribes will subside a lot when the Zora comes out. We’ve seen this movie before with early Stingray, Z06 and E-Ray. Every new C8 model reduces demand for the previous model.
Just got out my calculator and calculated that you can buy 37 ZR1s for the price of one Ferrari F80 ($6.6 million) similar total HP, and the F80 has a V6 with top speed of ‘only’ 217 mph.
Ferrari’s are more like trophies than cars
And Ferrari is more attractive for rappers and movie stars in showing “LOOK AT ME” to women, unlike a C8 corvette which is relatively bland…and thus does not drag as much attention .