ZR1 Prototypes Race At Nürburgring

Testing US License Plates at the Nürburgring

2025 Chevrolet C8 Corvette ZR1 Prototype Continues Testing Second Industrypool Week At Nürburgring

After 2017’s sales of both Opel and Vauxhall to PSA, General Motors chose to forgo the European market. Nevertheless, it hasn’t been a totally abandoned presence due to Chevrolet selling their Corvette C8 in either left- or right-hand-drive setups for some time. In 2021, the two-door coupe and convertible were formally released for customers on the Old Continent. Further, Europe may see GM’s Cadillac Lyriq arrive as an additional product range.

It appears that the famed bowtie brand is set to introduce a more potent version of its flagship Corvette across Europe. As many as four ZR1 test mules have been witnessed lapping the Nürburgring for two consecutive weeks, featuring varying rear wings and tailpipes; however, all shared the same loud growl thanks to their V8 engines. In the ever-restrictive atmosphere of the EU in 2023, when emissions come before noise, it is comforting to hear that the roar of the old school muscle still remains.

It’s rumored that the audible disturbance present within one’s earshot is assumed to be produced by the same 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 situated in the back of the seats on the Z06. However, a pair of turbos may be boosting its power output to a number that has not been announced as of yet – a speculated 850 hp and 825 lb-ft. The Corvette Blogger website states that Tadge Juechter (the Chief Engineer of Corvette) and Oliver Gavin (formerly a professional driver for Corvette Racing) journeyed to Germany together with the engineering staff this month with the intent of honing the ZR1.

It is anticipated that the Corvette ZR1 will arrive in 2024, but Chevrolet (Chevy) is rumored to be conceptualizing a hybrid twist on their twin-turbo V8 engine for a flagship model. The involvement of an electric motor is likely to bring about all-wheel drive akin to the E-Ray. A 2020 Hagerty article puts forth a fathom of up to 1,000 hp and 975 lb-ft torque.

There are many questions still unaswered about the ZR1 and the probability of a twin-turbo AWD hybrid dubbed “Zora”, yet Chevy has affirmed that an Ultium-based electrified Corvette is being put together.

It’ll be interesting to see if any of these future versions will do away with the much-debated “wall of buttons.” Some have speculated that a new design could be in place by 2025, although this is yet to be confirmed and it’s uncertain whether that date refers to the calendar year or model year.

Source: CarSpyMedia / YouTube