mfj427

427 guy here. Do we think there will ever be a C7, C8 etc as fast as the C6 ZR1?

I say no. Yes, i am bold.

Jawnathin

Bold indeed. Unfortunately Bold doesn't mean correct.

I'd expect a more capable C7 and C8 variant at some point in the product lifecycle.

STARRPWR

Big Dog C7 when it comes out will definately be faster than C6 ZR1.

mfj427

When i hear the new C7 will turn into a V4 to save gas all is lost. I'll tell you what, a twelve pack of Heinekens says the new vets wont put up current C6 ZR1 numbers for at least 5 + years! Bet?

timmyZ06

not so sure about that, we didnt saw top dog ZR1 in every generation of corvette. for instance C5 stopped at Z06 trim. With the economy of today i dont think GM will invest the money and the time needed to desing the C6 ZR1. I could be wrong though only time will tell.

Jawnathin

I recall reading that you can disable the fuel saving feature, but it shouldn't hurt performance when enabled if you're on it.

I am pretty sure there will be a C6ZR1 beater at some point in the C7 life cycle but the big question is whether or not it'll be within 5 years of the C7. It did take 5 years for the ZR1 to arrive on the C6 platform .

5 years? Wow, gonna take a long time to cash in on this bet, but sure. I'll go in on that. Feel free to book mark this post and we can revisit when an announcement is made or on 1/21/2018 .

But before I'm finally in, what is the definition of faster? More Horsepower? Better power to weight ratio? Lap times around the Nurburgring? Laguna Seca? Drag strip? What numbers are we using? The times on the fast list here (10.9s~) or the typical magazine results (11.4-11.5s~)?

Just want to be sure we clearly define this first

outbackfarmer

I think we will see a supercharged version of the C7 in the next two years. It may or may not be a "ZR1". Assuming current regulations do not change. The engineering and components are already there. It is mostly a few cosmetic and brake upgrades and drop the LS9 in the C7.
I would like to think, there is no way GM is going to let ford have a mustang putting out almost 200 hp more than any available corvette for very long.
I would imagine the 450 hp C7 would out track a 650 hp GT500, but we all know that hp claims dominate advertising. I just don't feel like GM can or will let that go on more than a year or two.

When I look in my foggy ball, I think they will release a vert as a 2015 model, and a supercharged fixed roof model as a Z06 in 2016. I think the ZR1 is gone for the C7 generation.

sammy burks

I would say since GM came out with the stingray you will not even see a Z06 for 2 or 3 years if at all, lat alone a ZR1. I would like to see a ZR1 with a twin turbo V6

OnPoint

Fixed it for ya.

Slow Vette

the chief engineer Tadge even said they "originally" didnt plan the ZR1 when the C6 started. they only had the Z06 in mind, and when the C6 was going to be out longer than it should have been, thats when they decided to come out with a ZR1!! he said all of this when they introduced the Carbon Z06 in 2011. its on youtube somewhere

mfj427

Man, you guys are really optimistic about the future. Me, i think the straight line numbers of LS9 will be tough to beat.

Ask the viper boys..... ouch.

mfj427

You make a good point. I will downgrade to a six pack!

WaxWeekly

The current C6 Grand Sport will out-track the GT500 on many tracks, especially those that require turning.

Chevrolet has already officially stated that the C7 outperforms the C6 Grand Sport in its various testing.

The GT500 is a phallic automobile, designed to frighten the feint and make small women run for cover. Glorious as it may be, it is in a different league of cars than the Corvette.

jvp

That's not exactly what he said, nor is it how it happened. The story of the ZR1's birth as an idea is fairly well known and dates back to '04-05 time frame as they were polishing up the Z06. Remember that the Z06 was released to the public at the Detroit auto show in Jan of 05.

Rick Waggoner, CEO of GM at the time, saw the Z06 and said in an off-hand conversation, "I wonder what you guys could do with a $100K Corvette..." And thus began the skunk works project to build the ZR1 as we now know it.

It had nothing to do with product lifespan or cycle or anything like that. Just an off-handed remark by the guy in charge. Simple and easy.

As for the OP: I'm quite certain that at some point in the C7's run, there will be another car that can meet or exceed today's ZR1 in performance.

jas

Kyle Lemish

There was one more important phrase in that conversation that took place that day........It was said that such car should produce 100+ Hp per liter.

Metraman

I’ve heard from a reliable source nothing on the drawing board for additional power as far out as 2016. That’s not saying the LS9 couldn’t go in the C7.

timmyZ06

LT9 you mean!

mirage2991

I disagree with you on the must have more power than ford, simply because GM could have made the ZL1 camaro with 650hp, but they choose not too, and made it with 580, but put more thought into the suspension and track package as a whole than the mustang has ever done. Even all the mags have been saying the camaro is a better track car, though posting similar numbers (or close enough) to the mustang at the track.

I honestly think that it will be very difficult for the C7 to out perform the C6ZR1 at the race track (omit drag), but, what you will see is the standard and perhaps future Z06 type cars (which ever they decide to call them) getting closer and closer to the C6ZR1.
Lets not forget that even a brand new "redesigned" 2013 viper is performing just as well as the "old" C6ZR1.

I think that we would need a "GTR" like approach (awd and computer tech) to really start moving forward again...time will tell....but it's exciting and for all of the 5000 ish or less ZR1 out there, that's a piece of corvette history no matter what people want you to think, and one hell of a machine!

Reciprocal

If sales of the c7 stingray and z51 are going well, there will be no need to bring out a z06 or zr1. If sales of the c7 are not going well, there will be no need for the c7 or z06/zr1 as according to the younger audience we will be dead.

grandsport4me1963

Hmmm, it took 40 years for Chevy to replace the L88 as the most powerful Corvette ever produced. Times are way different however. There is so much competition in the high HP arena and when the C6ZR1 looks like its substantially falling behind then I'd expect Chevy to release the blueprints on the next beast. Slumping sales may also have an impact. Meanwhile, someone is sitting in their cubicle drawing up plans that MAY be used during the C7 run.