C8 Corvette ZR1 Prototypes Spied Testing With Multiple Rear Wing Designs

Split between two coupes and two convertibles, the prototypes in question feature two high-wing spoilers, an intermediate rear spoiler, and a spoiler that looks very similar to the T0E of the Corvette Z06. Last year, the carparazzi spotted a fourth design in the form of a ginormous wing. It's not known whether the biggest one spotted thus far will be included in the ZTK package, and we don't know how many designs will be offered in total.

Pictured with carbon-ceramic brakes and sticky rubber supplied by Michelin, the camouflaged vehicles further sport air intakes on the outside of the boomerangs and on either side of the engine lid. The reason is pretty obvious, isn't it? Turbocharging means high temperatures, therefore requiring more air than a free-breathing engine for cooling.

GM also worked its magic up front, where you'll notice hood vents. Could those work in a similar fashion to the S-duct system introduced by Ferrari back in 2018 with the 488 Pista? As implied, this aerodynamic trickery comprises a front intake, a duct, and a hood vent. The air exiting through said vent creates a downward force over the front axle. In the 488 Pista's case, the S-duct system accounts for an 18% increase in downforce compared to the 488 GTB with a 2% penalty in terms of drag.

According to a dealer source who attended a dealer meeting in November 2023 in Las Vegas, the Detroit-based automaker brought a camouflaged prototype on stage, giving it some revs. Dirty with rubber from testing at the Nurburgring, said prototype sounded like a muffled Z06.

Turbos need exhaust gas to spin, which explains the muffled Z06 quality of the ZR1's engine. Derived from the LT6 of the Z06, the LT7 of the ZR1 is believed to pack in excess of 800 horsepower. Some peeps look forward to 850 ponies, but alas, General Motors offered zero clues in regard to the upcoming ZR1's output. Be that as it may, we're most certain that it overshadows the previous gen.

Still the most powerful series-production vehicle in GM's history, the C7 Corvette ZR1 boasts 6.2 liters of small-block V8 goodness and a 2.65-liter Eaton TVS blower as opposed to 1.7 for the Z06. The LT5 further differs from the LT4 in respect to fuel injection, for it combines direct and port injection. Closely related to the LT4, the LT5 is the only fifth-gen small block with dual injection.

Offered exclusively for the 2019 model year with either a manual or a torque-converter automatic, the C7 ZR1 is a fine swansong to the front-engined Corvette. Its replacement will switch to a dual-clutch transaxle dubbed M1K, which is a different RPO code from the M1M in the Z06, M1L in the Stingray, and the MLH in the E-Ray.

Regardless of GM's regular production order code, said transmission is called TR-9080 in Tremec vernacular. In addition to the C8, the dual-clutch box is also used by the Maserati MC20. The Italian supercar comes with twin-turbo V6 muscle exclusively, with said engine sharing a few characteristics with Ferrari's twin-turbo V8 and Alfa Romeo's Ferrari-based turbo'd sixer.