Corvette Zora ZR1 Tipped as Mid-Engine 'Vette
Get ready Chevy Corvette enthusiasts, a mid-engine sports car will come in a couple of years.
In the latest issue of Car and Driver magazine, the publication details the American automaker’s plans to make the C8-generation Corvette revolutionary, building the mid-engine sports car its always dreamed of. According to the magazine, the C8 flagship will be called the Zora ZR1 and will debut the Corvette’s mid-engine architecture and will be produced in low quantities – around 1,500 units a year. Pricing is estimated to be upwards in the $150,000 area in order to justify the costs associated with developing the model and a small-block V8 will be used.
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As far as the Zora ZR1’s structure, the aluminum space frame found in the Stingray will be expanded to accommodate the C8. Expect the doors to be manufactured from lightweight, crash-resistant carbon-composite assemblies rather than sheet-molded fiberglass while the chassis will be updated for the mid-engine setup. That means the control-arm suspensions, composite leaf springs, adjustable magnetic dampers and Brembo brakes will all be updated accordingly.
While it might not be as much detail as we’d like, GM’s head of global product development, Mark Reuss, did confirm that the automaker is working on the next Corvette and after 61 years of evolution, it will be revolutionary. Expect more details to spill out in the coming years as the C8 will likely make its debut as a 2017 model year.
GALLERY: 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
[Source: Car and Driver]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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$150,000? After Viper had trouble selling at $100,000? And now with Ferrari about to be less exclusive?
They will sell like hotcakes at any price. The Corvette has the biggest fan base of any single car model.