It’s common knowledge that Chevrolet is prepping for a souped-up Corvette that will be positioned above the current Z06. The test mule of the so-called ZR1 was spotted a few days ago in Europe, but now we know that it was there for business – to hit the notorious Nurburgring – where our spy photographers caught it doing hot laps in the snowy weather.
The previous ZR1 which clocked the Green Hell did it within a respectable 7:19.63 minutes and the new one is definitely aiming to break that. The Corvette is evidently targeting to be a better track car, because it was previously sighted on the American Laguna Seca and now on the German race track.
The prototype’s camouflage fails to hide all the swells and hunks of the ZR1. However, what everybody is talking about is the big and wide wing at the back. Up front, the enormous air dams are intended to efficiently cool the monstrous V8 under the bulging hood. The 6.2-liter from the Z06 was the expected candidate for the ZR1. However, recent patents from GM hints that the twin-turbo V8 LT5 with dual-overhead cams would power this super muscle car. The power figures are suspected to cloud stratospherically over 700bhp with the seven-speed manual transmission as standard, and the Camaro ZL1’s 10-speed automatic acting as optional. The same powertrain can make its way into next generation mid-engine Corvette C8.
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are wrapped around larger-yet-lightweight star-shaped wheels. The stopping power will be handled by a large set of brakes. The sharp front splitters, along with larger-than-life rear wing, will be part of the aero package upgrade. The quad-exhaust at the back, however, created a havoc with the race track noise regulation, for which Chevrolet had to take necessary steps and calm the raucous down for the ‘Vette to take on the track.
Expect the Corvette ZR1 to be officially revealed this August at the 2017 Continental Tire Road Race Showcase IMSA event. Now that the Dodge Viper ACR isn’t on sale anymore, the ZR1 will be your best chance of laying your hands on an American-bred supercar.
