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2018 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 testing at Nurburgring

6.2-litre LT-powered ‘Vette could be a Camaro ZL1 1LE-eater

Corvette testing drive
Gallery2

Chevrolet is currently developing two new Corvettes.

One is the next ‘Vette model, the C8. The other, and the more immediate of the two, is the angriest version of the current C7 generation. The Corvette ZR1.

And it’s not far away now, with testing being undertaken at the Nurburgring suggesting the car is almost ready to be unveiled.

And it sounds bloody angry.

2018 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at the ringThe reason this ‘Vette is particularly exciting is the speculation on which engine it will be powered by.

Evidence pointing to it housing a newly developed 6.2-litre supercharged ‘LT5’ is mounting, with reports of GM having trademarked the name, and of course there’s the fact that they’ll need a new powerplant for the mid-engined C8.

2018 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 drivingThe car would undoubtedly be wild even with the older LT4 (also a supercharged 6.2-litre), as the LT4-powered Camaro ZL1 1LE recently lapped the ‘Ring in 7:16.04.

In fact, the cars are already being compared before the ZR1 is even revealed.


Power figures for the upcoming ‘Vette are yet to be confirmed, but rumours suggest it could top 560kW, which would make it around 80kW more powerful than the ZL1 1LE.

It doesn’t seem that GM is too worried about keeping the car itself secret, though, with footage plentiful from its various ‘Ring track tests.

One video even shows it nose-to-tail with the anticipated Hyundai i30 N prototype.


Thought Chevrolet hasn’t announced an officially announced the reveal date for the ZR1, a report from Car and Driver suggests GM insiders expect an August debut at the “Continental Tire Road Race Showcase IMSA event”.

All we can do it wait until next month to find out.

Chris Thompson
Contributor

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