General Motors did the unthinkable with the C7 Corvette Z06 by making the supercharged Stingray available with both an automatic and a droptop. As it gears up for the arrival of the ZR1, it appears GM may now commit blasphemy.
Spy photographers have snapped photos of a convertible C7 ZR1 prototype testing at GM’s Proving Grounds. This camouflaged car shares all the basics already displayed by recent ZR1 mules – aggressive aero work, a seemingly taller power dome, and even the same double five-spoke wheels – except this time, it ditches the tin top in favor of something a little more comfortable.
If and when the ZR1 droptop comes to market, it will be GM’s most premium open-air- offering, topping both the Z06 and Camaro ZL1 ragtops in price, prestige and performance.
Chevrolet is notably working on several different aero packages for the ZR1, as we’ve seen both a small pedestal-style spoiler and a huge downforce-generating wing for doing race car things. The convertible spied here rocks the smaller of the two and it’s likely that the track setup won’t be available on the droptop variant.
We’re still dying to find out what’s under the hood of the ZR1. Some think it will be a simple evolution of GM’s insane supercharged small-block LT4, while other camps believe the ZR1 will abandon pushrods and debut a long-rumored quad-cam V8, potentially with a flat-plane crank and upwards of 700 horsepower – but who knows.
We also don’t know when the ZR1 will make an official debut. GM has been quite clever and non-traditional in launching its performance products as of late, it’s possible Chevy will forego the bland auto show debut and surprise us with a shock showing at something like the world renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, emulating the launch of the Camaro ZL1 1LE at the 2017 Daytona 500.
