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Spied: Corvette Zora Convertible
Spy photographers captured shots of a camouflaged C8 Corvette that appears to be a convertible version of the top-tier Zora. It’s the first time an open-air version has been seen in the wild, and it makes clear the message that even the gnarliest of C8s—yes, somehow gnarlier than a 1064-hp ZR1—will still offer a removable top.
The mule was spotted leaving the GM Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan, and the photographers caught up to it in traffic enough to discern a key detail that indicates this is a Zora, not a ZR1.
First, a few details reinforce the notion that the ZR1 is likely the basis for the Zora: Note the flow-through hood, with large openings that divert air through extra coolers and also aid downforce over the top of the bodywork. That hood design isn’t found on the second-rung Z06.
Along with the hood, we can see the additional side inlets aft of the large, angled primary inlets. These, too, are currently only found on the ZR1.
However, the presence of an additional cooler in the front end led photographers to think that this was something more. This same cooler was spotted on a development mule at the Nürburgring in September of last year, and it’s the same vertical cooler that we see in the snout of the Corvette E-Ray.
Remember, the most likely path to the Zora’s powertrain madness is to marry the battery and front-axle electric motor from the Corvette E-Ray to the twin-turbo, 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 of the ZR1. So, at least on paper, all the components seem to be here on this mule.
This marks the first time a convertible configuration—delineated by the vertical rear glass and the sweeping bodywork behind the seats—has been caught with the tell-tale vertical cooler up front. Good news for bow tie faithful who want to enjoy their top-dog Vette alfresco.
We can’t wait to learn more details about the new Mack Daddy Corvette.
Bring it!
I had high hopes that the last version high performance C8 would have distinctive bodywork…lets hope it will at least get distinctive wheels.
You mean not black?
Corvette doesn’t make a convertible. They only make a retractable hard top.
Wow 1000 hp that will get you from one stop light to another quickly
1064 hp will get you there even quicker.
That camo makes the car look like it is covered in Michigan road salt. Which it probably is.
I love the entirely useless idea of camo. I guess it is still done because it has always been done.
Unfortunately, I can tell (even with the camo) that the Zora still looks like a C8 Corvette…i.e., ugly. Hopefully the C9 will turn out better-looking under new leadership…Tadge just wasn’t making Corvettes for me.
Why can’t the Corvette engineers discipline themselves from uglifying Corvettes? The engineers have been making them look like Ninja power ranger cars or some sort of Soviet spaceships since they retired the C5. These guys just love dingleballs and would ruin anything of beauty. I would prefer an American Corvette to a Euro or Japanese sports car, but Chevrolet has forgotten how to make attractive cars. Even the interior with its long shelf of ugly switches is aesthetically revolting.
l agree the car is ugly ,bring back a mid year addition with new engine and modernized suspension , like the very popular resto modified corvettes seen on TV.GM would sell everyone they could produce .63-67 best looking corvettes ever produced
James V.
You are 1000 % correct. The 63 – 67 is in my opinion, hands down, the most exciting vehicle ever made in the U.S.A.
Beautiful, beautiful machines.