Chevrolet may be gearing up to set a new Nürburgring lap record with the C8 Corvette. As GM Authority covered previously, a pair of uncamouflaged Vettes have been spotted testing at the infamous race track, and although both wear either ZR1 or Z06 badging, the vehicles in question appear to be Corvette Zora prototypes. With over 1,200 horsepower, all-wheel grip, and enormous aero, one of these C8 Zora hypercars could very well have what it takes to steal the lap record crown from Ford.
Chevy’s latest appearance at the Nürburgring follows Ford’s headline-grabbing achievement with the 2025 Mustang GTD, which posted an official lap time of 6:52.072 in May of 2025, as covered by our sister publication, Ford Authority. The 6:52.072 lap time makes the new Mustang GTD the fourth-fastest production sports car ever around the Green Hell, and the fastest American vehicle as well.
Now, Chevrolet appears to be aiming squarely for that title with the new C8 Zora. Recent photographic evidence shows the pair of C8 prototypes sporting an upgraded cooling system, including a vertical radiator believed to cool the hybrid components, backed by a vertical radiator for the ICE engine. The prototypes also wear a large yellow warning sticker indicating of the presence of a hybrid-electric system. Put it together, and these prototypes are likely the upcoming Zora.
For those who may be unaware, the Zora is set to be the fastest, most powerful production Corvette ever made, combining the twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine cradled by the “standard” ZR1 with the 160-horsepower front electric motor lifted from the E-Ray, creating a hybrid, all-wheel-drive monster with a total system output exceeding 1,200 horsepower. As we covered previously, the new Corvette Zora is also expected to be a package upgrade for the ZR1, rather than a standalone trim level.
The latest round of Corvette prototype testing will take place over the course of a three-week development program, and while Chevrolet has yet to officially confirm a Nürburgring record attempt, we’re willing to bet that Ford’s celebration for the Mustang GTD may be short-lived.
The new deadline isn't far away.
But will it beat the Mustang GTD?
The OBBBA is quickly changing the near-future of the EV market in the U.S.
Curing reduced brake performance and limited top speed issues.
The Lyriq serving once again as a support vehicle.
A nationwide lease is offered on midsize pickup truck.
View Comments
What does everyone think the Zora package upgrade will cost for the Zr1? I’m thinking around $15K.
To live up to the name the Zora Corvette would be a Light Weight, performance car. IMO It would be a true drivers car with exceptional steering and braking feel and feedback. The driver would be rewarded with an exceptional connection with the car.
At 4000+ lbs this Zora may do great lap times but with an isolated, dead feel through the brakes, steering and lack of connection with the car like the Z06 and ZR1 is it rewarding and fun to drive?
This is all just my opinion but I’d like to see and was expecting a Zora that is a stand alone model not and add on package. It would be 2800 lb, 800hp RWD true drivers car that Zora would be proud to have his name on and would have loved to own and take to the track.
A very very big opportunity missed.
Zora is a top rung track weapon, which is exactly what these are. It is sad they are getting heavy, but to set records you need big power. With the clients these are sold to and based off of, a little hard to lose that much weight, so a dream that can't come to fruition without GTD cost levels...
Word is going around June 17th will be a Chevy announcement.
The word is a ZR1x and a ZO6x. AWD versions of each.
Is one a Zora? Or is it still to come?
Chevy has more coming than you think.
I also he rumblings the ERay could be redone as a GS.
Selling Electric is taking a back seat at GM.
The Zora is a package which includes the E Ray electric motor. Meaning it is a ZR1 AWD.
It would be pointless to put the E Ray electric motor in the Z06 which would make it AWD.
Mark.
There may or not be a Zora. Nothing for sure is given at this point.
The Hints are the ZR1 with AWD may be a ZR1 x
It would not be pointless to offer a Z06 x with AWD as it would offer the system with just a little less power and less money. But more profit for GM.
The ERay has been a failure, I suspect the ERay will be replace with the new OHV engine that is coming and it will get the AWD option and be called a Grand Sport. The ZO6 body and parts but a stingray engine got an even better option package for less money.
If a Zora happens I still think it may be a de contented ZR1 x with less weight and more a track car like the 911 GT3.
Chevy is making a big announcement an X is a big part of it. Note the two cars testing are a ZR1 and ZO6.
E-Ray a failure? It didn't start production until nearly half way through the production year. It is still new to people who some think it maybe an EV. It is faster then the Z06 to 60, ties it in the 1/4 and costs less. I am a big fan of the set-up, heard good things about the way it drives.
In 2024, a total of 1,417 E-Ray Corvettes were sold, encompassing both coupe and convertible models. Specifically, 599 E-Ray coupes and 818 E-Ray convertibles were sold. This represents a small fraction, roughly 3%, of the total 2024 Corvette sales.
Not exactly a run away success. The name is not really good marketing. Electric is not a selling point. AWD is. The car should have been a Grand Sport and someone in marketing blew it.
It would be almost necessity to add that. A perfect stop gap between the Z06 and ZR1, they need to and hope they do, something for everyone and the ZR1's baby brother.
I sure hope it sets a new record. And puts its mark on at this track. And beats Fords lap times.
I think they already have and they did it with a street legal car on street tires and for half the cost of the fake Mustang.
Please stop referring to Nürburgring as a race track. It is a public road on which native Germans go to work in the morning and come home in the evening. Regarding the Zora being a package for the ZR1, I had a cousin (now deceased) who was a successful traveling salesman in the '60s, and he drove a 1964 Corvette with the Z06 option just to have a 36.5 gallon gasoline tank that reduced the frequency of refueling stops. Here's a little known fact: the Z06 is Z zero 6, not Z oh 6. Americans, including the highest level Corvette executives, say Z oh 6 because it saves one syllable. Sad! Thanks for keeping us up to date with the information that comes your way! It is appreciated.
I call mine a Z aught 6...
Not a public road. It is a dual race track you can pay to go out on the long track.
It goes no place and finishes where it starts.
Now Spa and Le Mans have sections that are public roads when not used as a race track.
Z06 is just an option code made into a model name.
Like Porsche some just say incorrectly Porsch but what ever. We have more important things to worry about.
Sid, you have so much misinformation is it sad. Lets correct that shall we? First, I just drove the nurburgring last month, bucket list item. It is not a public road to go to work in the morning, it is a public race track you pay to go on. You don't exit anywhere, you start and end at the same spot. So that statement was completely false. Second, they didn't make a Z06 package for 1964, it was a one year 1963 option. They had a J-56 option in 1964, but if your "cousin" had either, he had one of the most sought after and expensive vettes ever, probably worth millions today. So I am going to go out on a limb and say that is false as well based on the first statement. Finally, any GM car guy knows how how it is spelled and actually written, it is easier to say quickly. That isn't some little known fact but well know knowledge.