Angriest Corvette to date joined by its lesser and electrified siblings as well as a Porsche 911 GT2 in benchmark testing
Our North American spy photographers have snapped what’s thought to be the first C8 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 prototype undergoing an early round of open-road testing in Detroit.
Joined by a Corvette Z06, E-Ray and a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, the prototype was predictably wrapped in nearly impenetrable camouflage designed to stop as many preliminary details as possible from being revealed ahead of the new ZR1’s official launch.
The convoy was spotted returning to a General Motors vehicle operations centre and, while the camo wrap is elaborate, it can’t totally mask the enlarged front splitter, fixed rear wing and quad exhaust exits.
Two of these features are key components of the Z06’s optional Z07 Performance Package, while the central quad exhausts are a tell-tale sign of the LT6 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine, all of which adds weight to speculation that the curiously disguised Z06 spotted in March was indeed an early ZR1 test mule.
The ZR1 will serve as the internal combustion hero of the latest C8 Corvette range and is tipped to be powered by a twin-turbo version of the LT6 good for more than 630kW/750Nm.
As with the 911 GT2, rear-wheel drive is all but a given for what will unquestionably be the fastest and most capable Corvette to date, as is the Z06’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and probably all the remaining goodies of the Z07 Performance pack.
These include carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fibre aero components, a more aggressive suspension tune, semi-slick tyres and ultra-lightweight wheels.
There’s been a lot of conjecture recently around whether the ZR1’s ferocious powerplant will be supported by some form of electrification (or not), and while the general consensus is that it won’t be, the presence of the hybrid E-Ray in this convoy does raise a few questions.
Either way the ZR1 will eclipse the upcoming Z06 as the current Corvette performance flagship, and it’s likely to be benchmarked against the 911 you see here, given the GT2 RS is traditionally the most aggressive and formidable 911 variant of all.
However, Porsche is yet to confirm, tease or reveal a new 992-generation GT2 RS, although rumours of its technical make-up are already swirling.
Odds are the ZR1 won’t make its official global premiere until some stage next year, before it joins the 2025 Corvette line-up.
Australian availability is yet to be confirmed, but we’d be surprised if no examples of the ZR1 make it Down Under given the Z06 and E-Ray are both destined for our shores, albeit in very limited quantities.
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Keyword: 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 spotted testing