Mid-Engine Corvette C8 Zora Poised To be Offered Alongside C7 ZR1 Next year

An important news flash gleaned from The Drive last week attempted to clear the air on a bit of confusion in regards to the release of the 2019 Chevy Corvette. There has been speculation and multiple rumors about this release for decades, and at this point, the legendary sports car is all but last-rung confirmed to make the switch to a mid-engine configuration. The C7 ZR1 is slated to be the king of the pack, and being capable of producing over 700 horsepower. Back in April, we took a close-up look at how it had the masterful ability to set a Nurburgring record, conquering the 12.9-mile course in less than 7:30.

Both of these high-octane and very high-profile cars are expected to be paired together and sold as 2019 models, and continue to do so before the C7 is eventually phased out entirely. The C7 ZR1 will most likely be the last chance for drivers to experience the front-engine that is classically configured, in a patented rear-drive corvette that has led the pack for the last 60 years. The C8 Zora is the result of a long-standing strategy to go head-to-head with cars such as the Audi R8, and the Mclaren 570S, while potentially out-performing one of the most prominent names in sports cars: the Porsche 911.

There is a rumor among many that with the production of two different Corvettes during the same year, GM may begin to produce Corvettes away from the umbrella of the Chevy namesake. This would ultimately become its own brand of high-performance auto, and it is absolutely not something that we can confirm in any way, but raises many questions. Would our beloved customers at Jim Butler Chevy enjoy this iconic car line as much if it broke away and became its own entity? Whatever does happen, the new Corvettes are slated to go on sale during mid-to-late 2018.

Later down the road during the life of the Zora C8, the engine bay may even flirt with housing a twin-turbo V6, and many are disagreeing a bit about the general appearance regarding the rear of the vehicle. It does seem like there has been a pretty serious attempt to imitate a Ferrari when looking at proposed finished products, and everyone here on the lot seems to love it.

There is a bit of disdain as you scour the many auto blogs and articles available on this issue, and some feel that the techniques used to make the newer Corvettes modern were so drastic, that they lost a bit of the original aesthetic and soul along the way. All of us here in St Louis have been highly infatuated and engrossed with this brand for quite some time now, and couldn't be more excited to see just how the offering of this pair pans out. astronomical changes in the auto industry don't come without perseverance and much research: Our level of anticipation is at fever pitch to see these new Corvette's unveiled and dominating the track!