We’ve already had more than a handful of C8 Corvette Zora prototype sightings, including on the Nurburgring in Germany and in Colorado. Now, our eagle-eyed spies have caught the upcoming Zora undergoing testing once again, this time in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, or U.P., as it’s known by Michiganders.
Unlike prior times, we don’t just have a single prototype, but a whole group – five testers, to be exact. All five are of the Coupe body style (as opposed to the hard-top Convertible), and seem to represent every trim and/or aero package that will be made available on the range-topping C8 model.
We can tell that these prototypes are the Zora by the driver-side front radiator, which is split between a vertically-oriented unit closer to the center of the vehicle, and a horizontally-oriented one closer to the vehicle’s outside edge. The horizontally-oriented one is to cool the internal combustion engine, while the vertically-oriented one is to cool the electric motor and associated componentry. All five prototypes were observed with this split radiator setup, which is also seen on the C8 E-Ray hybrid.
Note the wings, from closest to farhest: T0E spoiler on the two cars closest to the camera, followed by the high-wing spoiler from the ZR1 ZTK package, and the high-wing spoiler Z06 at the front of the pack
Interestingly, we observed three rear wing configurations: two prototypes were equipped with the base spoiler from the C8 Z06 / C8 ZR1 (RPO code T0E), another two featured the high wing spoiler from the ZR1’s ZTK package, while the fifth tester was equipped with high-wing spoiler from the Z06 (RPO code TOF).
All were riding on the same set of forged aluminum wheels (RPO code SOG) currently offered on the ZR1.
Additionally, all testers feature the additional air intakes at top of the rear quarter panels that made their debut on the Corvette C8 ZR1. As GM Authority outlined previously, these inlets – which are available exclusively on ZR1 Coupe (and not the Convertible) – provide additional cooling to the twin-turbo V8 engine, enabling the super car’s heart to cool down faster than models without them.
The C8 Corvette Zora will cradle the same twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine as the C8 ZR1, but will mate it to a hybrid system for even more performance. The hybrid system is expected to drive the front wheels with additional electric power, blessing the C8 Corvette Zora all-wheel grip and additional output compared to the 1,064-horsepower C8 ZR1.
As a reminder, all C8 variants – including the C8 Zora – ride on the GM Y2 platform, and all units are produced at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky. Look for the new C8 Zora to launch later this year as a 2026 model.
Comments
I’d buy one of these in a heartbeat but I have ZERO interest in spending weeks on the phone with Joe Blow Chevrolet dealers trying to find an allocation that isn’t 100K over and 3 years out. I’ve been on the wait list for the ZR1 and Zora for 4 years at 3 different dealers and now that it’s getting close they’ve all decided either their previous lists were null and void, they’re charging ADM – or in the case of Coughlin – they’re just going to ghost me (what does Rick Conti even do anymore besides make YouTube videos?) Went through this with the C8 and again with the Z06 (which I couldn’t get back when I was still interested). It’s pure misery trying to buy a Corvette anymore. Spending 250K+ on a Chevrolet I should have my head examined – but at the very least it should be a pleasant experience, not punishment.
Thanks for that perspective and for sharing your experience. As I am just about to order one.
Funny but we had a local dealer delivering Z06 at good prices.
I just needed the money. lol!
Anyone with a brain will just wait buy one with less than 10k mikes below MSRP. Let others take the hit.
Do yourself a favor buy a good used late model ICE Corvette. That Hybrid vette is so radical Zora Duntov would vomit if he saw it. There are no dealers thaf i know with mechanics skilled enough to work on it without a factory trained specialist. GM thinks they are dragging the wealthy Corvette buyers into some dream land that only they can live in. They are wrong! It has become some unaffordable A.I. unrealistic dream car that one day no one will ever buy a used one because if it breaks the cost of repairs will rival Ferrari.
If this a Hybrid. Forget it. You will lose a third of its value when you drive off the lot. No GM dealer that i know can afford training and keeping a specialist mechanic for a low volume car. That is why some dealers don’t sell Corvettes anymore.
I will never buy saw Hybrid.
the price of the car can be justified my kicker is the roughly $30,000.00 taxes that irks me.
Surly everyone must agree these cars are no longer for anyone but the wealthy.
Prob packing 2.7L hybrids.
I keep saying it. A base corvette is enough for almost anyone. However, these other vettes help keep the price down on the base corvette. It is nice that Chevrolet can offer a world class super car at a fraction of the cost of other super cars. American ingenuity at its best👍
I love my Z06 MSRP.
I’ve seen rumors of 1,400 HP
I think upgrading the turbos slightly and adding two front electric motors to form a total max of 1440HP (Same as the number of minutes in a day) would be an interesting figure to aim for.
Just for fun make the rear tires 365mm wide
Unlike Hypercars with massive upkeep; we aim for exhilaration 1440/365…
Every minute is on another level