Thanks to the latest efforts of spy photographers we can show you some photos of a new Chevy car that is believed to be a new generation of the Corvette ZR1 supercar. All the latest talks regarding Chevrolet are revolving around a new mid-engine platform which will probably be introduced with the arrival of the next-generation Corvette (the C8) and that will presumably going to happen at the 2018 Detroit auto show. Before all of this, we think that Chevy will make a special send-away version of the current Corvette (the C7) with something very special, and the safe bet is that it will be the ZR1 model that will be making a comeback.
What you see from the photos and video, is what we presume will be a C7 Corvette ZR1. On the images, you can see the coupe version of the prototype but video reveals both coupe and convertible options. What made us very happy is the information that the General Motors Company trademarked the ZR1 name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This is not out of the ordinary, and it is often done to simply protect a name, but what gave us hope are the shots that you see here and the prototype in its full glory.
The prototype resembles slightly to ordinary C7 Gran Sport or Z06, but the addition here is the very tall rear spoiler that screams speed and downforce. What is another thing visible right off the bat are the new Ferrari styled rims with a huge amount of rubber wrapped around them. In a few shots we actually can see the vehicle’s front which revealed a honeycomb-like mesh which in its similar form can be found on a Camaro ZL1.
The true Chevy enthusiasts know that the ZR1 (ZR-1 for early gen’s) badge is applied to the most extreme Corvettes and so far it has been used on the C3, C4, and C6 generations. The last ZR1 was launched for the 2009 model year, and it hosted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 delivering 638 HP and 604 lb/ft of torque. A real monster wouldn’t you say, but that was very quickly overcome by the C7 Z06 which has 650 HP. This is a good thing, no matter what you say, because there is a realistic possibility that the C7 ZR1 will transcend this easily, and that is just what we are expecting to see.
We thought that the Chevy’s new LT5 V8 powertrain might find its way in the C7 ZR1, but no, it is reserved for the C8 exclusively. What will probably find its way under the C7 ZR1 hood is the updated C7 Z06’s LT4 6.2-liter V8 which is likely to be tuned to output somewhere in the line of 700 HP, with the engine’s overheating issue solved by then. The C7 ZR1 will probably debut in January 2017 at Detroit auto show with a price that will most likely exceed the $100,000 mark. This is a great chance to grab for yourself a special version of Corvette since new generation will bring revolutionary changes.
