C8 Corvette ZR1 Reportedly Shown to Select Dealers in Secret Meeting

Dealers were able to check out a prototype of the new C8 Corvette ZR1 in person, though no specs or other details were shared.

Like the Z06 and E-Ray before it, the C8 Corvette ZR1 is easily one of the worst-kept secrets in the automotive world – and has been for a few years now. It’s was quite evident from the day the C8 Stingray debuted that a new king-of-the-hill Corvette was on the way, but at this point, we’ve been waiting forever to see such a machine in the flesh, despite the many times spies have spotted the future sports car out testing at various places around the world. However, it seems as if a group of lucky dealers recently caught a glimpse of the C8 Corvette ZR1, according to GM Authority.

This viewing reportedly occurred as a sort of sidebar, secretive gathering at Chevrolet’s national dealer meeting that took place late last year, but at that particular event, attendees were able to actually take a sneak peek at two models – the 2025 Chevy Equinox, which was just unveiled to the public in January, and the C8 Corvette ZR1, which obviously surprised those in attendance.

Of course, there is a small catch to this rather exciting piece of news – the C8 Corvette ZR1 presented to the dealers was a prototype, of course, but it was also clad in camouflage, just like the ones spies have seen driving around as of late. GM also didn’t provide any sort of hard information pertaining to the new ZR1, such as specs, but it did apparently hint that it will utilize a twin-turbocharged V8, as has long been rumored to be the case.

More specifically, that powerplant is believed to be the new LT7, a twin-turbocharged version of the 5.5-liter LT6 V8 present in the Z06. It’s still not a confirmed fact, but this news helps continue to solidify that engine’s existence, as we’ve already seen a hint of this at the National Corvette Museum itself, while prototypes spied in the recent past have emitted some rather intoxicating turbo noises out on the track, to boot.

Aside from that potentially thrilling new powerplant, the C8 Corvette ZR1 is expected to wear wide bodywork like the Z06 and E-Ray, albeit with an array of added aero bits like a giant hood-mounted air extractor vent, unique side air intakes, and of course, a giant rear wing, to boot. At this point, it’s still unclear when we’ll actually get to see the new Corvette ZR1 in the flesh, but with any luck, we won’t have to wait much longer. After all, it is expected to launch as a 2025 model, and now that dealers have seen a prototype, perhaps we’re on the cusp of an official reveal.

Photos: Chevrolet

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