Corvette enthusiasts rejoiced when the 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 configurator went live on Chevrolet’s website this week. However, the observant folks at Corvette Blogger noticed an interesting detail in the configurator that raised some questions. They found a mysterious carbon fiber trim piece at the front of the front wheel wells. It even appears on the base ZR1 without the ZTK Performance Package or Carbon Fiber Aero package.
This might seem innocuous since the C8 ZR1 is full of aerodynamic trim pieces throughout its exterior. But this specific piece doesn’t appear in any press photos or real-world images we’ve ever seen of the 2025 Corvette ZR1.
Corvette Blogger says Chevy reached out to them, saying this was an error on the configurator. Chevy decided that keeping the configurator up for potential buyers to play with and order their mid-engined supercar was better than taking it down to try to fix this little detail.
2025 Corvette ZR1 press photo without wheel arch trim piece
2025 Corvette ZR1 configurator image with wheel arch trim piece
Despite that explanation, Corvette Blogger remains skeptical that there’s more to this carbon fiber trim piece than Chevy is letting on. They think it could be a feature of the yet-unconfirmed C8 Zora hiding in plain sight.
Some folks thought the unveiling of the Corvette ZR1 and Tadge Juechter’s comment that it would be the most expensive C8 variant meant the long-rumored Zora wasn’t happening. However, camouflaged C8 models with giant rear wings are still being spotted testing on the Nurburgring, in a hotel parking lot, and a parking garage.
Here at GM Authority, we’ve speculated that the C8 Zora will be an AWD hybrid like the E-Ray but with the mighty twin-turbo 5.5L V8 LT7 from the ZR1 as its ICE engine. If it were a de-contented track car, stripped of things like advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features, sound deadening, and comfort features like heated and ventilated seats, it could be more powerful and more affordable than the ZR1. The Zora would be the stripped-down track weapon, and the ZR1 would be the more customizable and premium supercar.
There’s only so much we can glean from this small trim piece, but given the fact that it’s carbon fiber and clearly designed to optimize aerodynamics, it sure seems like a hint that the C8 story isn’t over yet.
Comments
The images on the ZR1’s configurator also show the extra Radiator under the front left grill that only the E-Ray has. This is a leak of the Zora.
What ever it is, this is the best looking Corvette ever. This body on the standard Corvette could double its sales.
Don’t buy the new ZR1 , you will regret it as soon as the all wheel drive ZR1 ZORA is available! Will beat the pants on the ZR1 thank to the no plug in hybrid comes out! It won’t be that more in price because GM won’t build anything that tips the scales over $200,000!! Because then many other brands will be in reach!! Don’t pay over MSRP! Save your money for the real hypercar from an American company!!
Time to start reporting on C9!!
GM placed out an article on the release date of the C9 back in 2023, we have between 3 to 4 more years from now on that car.
Why would anyone want a Corvette when you could have a VIPER !
A 2025 viper?
Viper has been out of production since 2017.
Looks like a mud flap for reverse gear. 😁
I like the way it looks!Maybe the aftermarket with make them so I can put them on my Z06 with the Z07 package.Sometime GM just throws them out there to see the feedback🤣
releasing another hyped up model when they can even build standard Corvettes without weekly constraints. Hey GM how about fixing your supplier problem first???