When dealing with first-world issues, shopping for a new supercar can be exasperating. Why? Because an improved version is often just around the corner. This might be the case here, as the Corvette ZR1 has just been released, but Chevy seems to be testing the true C8 flagship—the Zora. A fully camouflaged prototype of America's mid-engine marvel was spotted undergoing rigorous testing at the Nürburgring.
Our initial impression is that this could be a ZR1 undergoing final assessments. It's not uncommon for automakers to continue testing a new model weeks or even months after its official debut. The ZR1 was unveiled at the end of July, but production won't commence until next year, leaving ample time to refine any imperfections. However, a yellow sticker on the engine hatch suggests the prototype is electrified, which the ZR1 is not. There's also a less conspicuous change compared to the ZR1: the front of this test vehicle appears to feature the vertically mounted cooling radiator of the all-wheel-drive E-Ray hybrid.
Regardless of whether it's the Zora or not, this vehicle is undeniably fast, as evidenced by its quick laps around the Nordschleife, overtaking several other prototypes in the process. If the engine sound seems subdued, there's a reason for that. The quad exhaust tips pointing downward are designed to keep the prototype within track noise regulations, which limit noise levels to 130 decibels. This setup has been used on other Corvette test vehicles in the past, and this potential Zora follows the same pattern.
During our time with the ZR1, we noticed unused space in the center tunnel, presumably reserved for the E-Ray's 1.1-kWh battery. Additionally, the coolant hose at the front bends around the area where the electric motor would typically be located on the hybrid 'Vette. Chief engineer Tadge Juechter even hinted at the possibility of another version beyond the ZR1: "We're still working on stuff in the future."
Chevy hasn't disclosed the ZR1's 0-60 mph time, but the Zora is expected to be even faster, thanks to additional power, all-wheel drive, and the instantaneous response of an electric motor. We do know that the ZR1 completes the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds, a remarkable achievement for a gas-only car. The ZR1's pricing remains undisclosed, but Tadge Juechter has stated it will be the "most expensive Corvette we'll ever make." However, this doesn't necessarily mean the Zora will be cheaper. With the chief engineer now retired, he won't be part of the team at Zora's launch, so he won't be included in the "we." Given the enhancements resulting from combining the ZR1 with the E-Ray, the Zora is likely to command a substantial premium.
The ZR1 is estimated to cost between $150,000 and $180,000, so the Zora could easily surpass the $200,000 mark. Even at that price point, it will be challenging to find another ICE-powered supercar with comparable performance that doesn't cost significantly more.
