Track-focused supercar will have a fixed rear wing and lightweight wheels; will be a rival to the Porsche 911 GT3

The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is to be revealed on 12 November, ahead of an LA motor show debut later in the month.

Chevrolet has released a preview video confirming the car's reveal date, with a clip of the car's engine revving dubbed over typically unrevealing shots of carbonfibre bodywork and the car's grille. 

 

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A post shared by Corvette (@corvette) on Nov 8, 2017 at 8:17am PST

The ZR1, which is reported to have 750bhp - a 112bhp leap over the last version from 2009, will be the fastest ‘Vette to ever make production. It will have a massive, fixed rear wing and bulging bonnet.

The rival for the Porsche 911 GT3 will also have a new set of star-shaped alloys, which will be lighter than those fitted to the current fastest ‘Vette, the Z06.

The ZR1 will also have the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang and Dodge Challenger Hellcat in its sights, although the higher power figure and lighter comparative weight than the challenger could put it more in league with the 840bhp Dodge Challenger Demon.

The car’s chassis will be adjusted to suit the demands of track driving, while the suspension will have harder settings for its magnetic ride control system, as well as stiffer anti-roll bars and springs.

A set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres will provide the mechanical bite required to get the car’s bespoke downforce package working. Along with the Corvette's GT3 racer-sized rear wing, the aero package will include a larger front splitter and bigger cooling ducts.

This test car looks to be using optional carbon-ceramic brakes, but the ZR1 will most likely come as standard with steel rotors.

Performance for the ZR1 will trump that of the Z06, so expect a 0-62mph time of around 2.9sec and a top speed of more than 186mph.

The new ZR1 is expected to be revealed nearer the end of the month, at the LA motor show, although a Detroit motor show reveal isn't off the table.

As the final model of the C7-generation car, the ZR1 will be the last front-engined Corvette to make production.

The C7’s successor, the 2018 C8, will adopt a mid-engined layout. A prototype for that car was spotted testing earlier this year.

Our Verdict

Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 cracks 0-62mph in 3.1sec

The brutal Z06 offers more performance than cars costing considerably more, but its refinement leaves a bit to be desired

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Comments
21

26 August 2016
More like 650S & 488 rival than the GT3..

26 August 2016
700hp...absolutely mental. What a weapon!!!

26 August 2016
Much more tempting than the Porsche or a GTR. Learn it's limits, & upset a few of the "All the gear, no idea" people.

26 August 2016
Pile of hopeless junk

TS7

26 August 2016
Anyhoo, you must be very privileged to have driven one already.

29 August 2016
TS7 wrote:

Anyhoo, you must be very privileged to have driven one already.

you muppet..

29 August 2016
TS7 wrote:

Anyhoo, you must be very privileged to have driven one already.

..and yes, I am very privilégié, but thankfully I have not endured the pain of driving one of these archaic sh1t boxes.

9 November 2017
Marc wrote:
TS7 wrote:

Anyhoo, you must be very privileged to have driven one already.

..and yes, I am very privilégié, but thankfully I have not endured the pain of driving one of these archaic sh1t boxes.

Pretty ignorant comment, I've actually been around the factory that makes them. The standard of engineering is very high, this isn't your 80's corvette, the brakes and suspension components are all top quality.

The interior isn't up to european standards but it is half the price and you're buying it for it's speed not its comfort.

To paraphrase a Clarkson comment on the old Z07 vs a 575 if you showed a martian an F12 and a Z01 he'd have a hard time working out why one is twice the price of the other.

18 November 2016
Unfortunately Marc is right. Z06 has shown to have faulty design as it overheats and is very dangerous close to it's limits. US Motor Trend is one of the testers who realized all this. Z06 is GM's halo sports car and the auto gearbox is one that was co-developed to also be used in GM TRUCKS as well.

Now you know why a Porsche or BMW M-car cost so much when they use a modern twin clutch that is light years ahead of that auto GM uses. That auto box has shown to be NOTHING like the stuff GM promised it would manage to do (soft shifts and faster than Porsche PDK, lol). Cheap cars are CHEAP for a reason.

Dan

26 August 2016
One of the rare modern cars that would raise the pulse rate. I'm in lust.

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