The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 may be one of the most powerful production Vette models the company has ever created, but it appears that the brand is preparing work on a more powerful “Zora” model with prototypes of this mythical Vette being spotted undergoing extreme testing in Germany.
New spy photos of the mysterious Zora version of the Chevrolet Corvette have emerged
The dust is barely settling on the recent debut of the Corvette ZR1. The ZR1 is the first Vette to cross the 1,000 hp barrier and on the surface, it appears to be the most powerful Corvette ever with Chevrolet throwing everything at the ZR1 to ensure that it remains one of the crown jewels in the Corvette lineup.
However, it appears that Chevrolet is still on a quest to obtain even more power and performance with the brand long rumored to be working on a “Zora” model that would make the Corvette a potent contender against some of the best in the supercar segment. Several Zora prototypes were spotted in Germany and they provide new clues about what Chevrolet is exactly up to with the new model.
Zora model looks familiar
The exterior styling of the prototype suggests that the exterior of the new model will be shared with the existing ZR1.
The Zora prototype was spotted undergoing track testing at Germany’s fabled Nurburgring and its appearance at the track suggests that Chevrolet engineers are very serious about their attempt to dethrone the established supercar order. Spy photos of the prototype appear to suggest that the Zora will have the same basic shape as the ZR1 with the prototype here getting the same aggressively styled bodykit as the ZR1 with the front end also getting the same basic treatment as the ZR1.
Even the rear end appears to get the same bits but it remains to be seen if this is merely because the program is still at the point where it’s still using cobbled-together test cars to try out certain components or if the Zora will focus on the finer details versus getting radically new styling to make it unique from the rest of the C* Corvette family.
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More power is on the menu
The Zora mode might be possibly powered by a hybrid-equipped version of the ZR1’s V8 but we get to wait awhile for the final answer.
Assuming that the Zora will focus the bulk of its upgrades on the powertrain, look for engineers to focus the bulk of their development efforts on what’s lurking underneath the skin. Past reports suggest that the Zora will be powered by a twin-turbo V8 with the powertrain also getting a hybrid system too. The hybrid system could be the key piece in the puzzle since there’s a strong possibility that the Zoa will retain the ZR1’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 which makes 1,064 hp without the aid of any hybrid system.
This strategy will also allow Chevrolet to streamline costs with the use of an existing engine that’s already been proven in prior rounds of testing versus having to invest large amounts of money into an all-new engine that would be created from the ground up and require even more testing to make sure that all details fall perfectly into place. In the meantime, Chevrolet has been tight-lipped about the project, but look for the brand to release more information when it’s ready to do so.
Why does it have to look like it was designed by a 16 year old?