Unlike Dodge, which put the Viper to sleep after 2017, Chevrolet has stayed true to the Corvette moniker by reinventing it for the C8 generation. The model has a rear mid-engine construction for the first time ever and is very affordable for the neck-snapping performance it offers, hence why the automotive world keeps referring to it as a blue-collar supercar.
In addition to the Stingray, which is the most affordable of the pack, starting at $68,300 and offering 495 hp from its 6.2L V8 that rockets it to 60 mph (97 kph) in just 2.9 seconds, the bowtie brand has two additional versions available: the Z06 and the E-Ray.
The former is a track-ready model boasting a 670 horsepower 5.5L flat-plane crank V8 for 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds that has a $112,700 MSRP, and the latter is an electrified proposal with all-wheel drive. Yes, you read that right. Its electrified powertrain gives it AWD capability, and with 655 horsepower combined, it needs 2.5 seconds for the sprint. Pricing starts at $104,900, excluding destination.
As a result, there is a C8 Corvette for everyone. Whether we're talking about the base Stingray that can give blue-blooded machines shivers down their spines for a fraction of their cost, the more extreme Z06, or the hybridized E-Ray, each one holds a special place in the brand's portfolio. But Chevy has another 'Vette ace up its sleeve: the ZR1.
Photo: Screenshot Youtube | Auto Om TV
Set to become the new range-topping model of the series, the Corvette ZR1 has been spied testing several times, and it's rumored to boast a twin-turbo variant of the 5.5-liter mill powering the Z06, which would supposedly unleash 850 horsepower. Another rumor speaks of a whopping 1,000 horsepower from the E-Ray's modified hybrid powertrain, complete with AWD.
Whatever the automaker has in store when it comes to the upcoming ZR1, one thing is certain: it will be capable of demolishing some massive names that have blue blood running through their veins. The new 'Vette ZR1 is expected to hit the road next year, launching as a 2025 model, so its secrets, including the performance and aggressive design, shouldn't stay buried for much longer.
Speaking of the styling, there have been several unofficial attempts to imagine it. This one is not realistic at all, as it is more of a cartoon, but it is nonetheless exciting to look at. It has Auto Om TV on YouTube behind it, and it may still be recognizable as a C8 Corvette from certain angles, but it doesn't have many things in common with this model, and that includes the lighting units, bumpers, side panels, rear wing, and so on. Nevertheless, it is an exotic proposal, and we think you will dig it, don't you?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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