JockItch

With this rumor getting some momentum from a recent video of a camouflaged mule seemingly driving in silent mode with no discernible engine noise, would this configuration, if true, deter anyone who was originally planning for a TT and ICE only ZR1? This rumor suggests that the ZR1 would get the LT6 paired with the hybrid drivetrain to produce over 800hp via AWD… with the Zora getting the same setup but with the TT LT7 instead. I’m sure the numbers will be impressive if so and the hybrid power combined with the NA LT6 seem like a great match, but this move would also significantly change the driving dynamics of the car. It would no question get the power down though.

Interesting move if so, the pairing always made sense but that would make three performance variants hybridized and only one ICE only, NA powered performance variant (unless they eventually release a GS). I also wonder if a move like that would have any impact on future Z06 demand for the hardcore ICE only crowd?

Personally, I’m not sure what I think. Even though I jumped on MacMulkin’s ZR1 contact list awhile back ago, a ZR1 has always been a long shot for me personally. This rumor becoming a reality would likely keep me more interested in staying with a Z06. A more performance oriented Z06 Carbon would likely be my dream car for this generation.

ZRacerLE

Never planned on going ZR1, but if I did, they would have to get crazy with weight reduction if it were hybrid... get it back down to 3700lbs.

RBK

I have wondered how many will want a ZR1? Notwithstanding the long wait times for a Z06, some on the lists for years with still no clear answer as to when they will see a car, it seems that Z06 buyers would not be anxious to either replace their Z06 or add a ZR1. Complicating any projection are a number of factors outside of electric or turbo assists. The UAW strike and further delays getting parts. The introduction of E Ray and its versatility for those needing a 4 wheel drive and not concerned with "tracking" , and pricing. We are already seeing that the average Z06 costs north of $120,000, excluding those paying ADM's. What will the ZR1 cost and how many here will want to shell out that money for the car? Sure, GM will sell some, as matter of fact I might buy one just to continue my buy, drive, and sell lifestyle, but personally speaking, maybe with a bit less enthusiasm.

RFS-Z06

Anything Electric. No Thanks!

NA FURY

Hard pass due to the complexity, weight, and maintenance considerations with that combo.

TT CPC would be the only thing that would pique my interest, and even that is a hard sell from my viewpoint due to the weight increase.

Michael A

If it is battery anything, I will cancel my reservation. It needs to have turbos, period.

Red Mist Rulz

No one here knows, but...

The person who took that video posted on MECF that the two mules passed him going about 65 mph. The E-Ray's electric drive is only good up to 45 mph, and a max of 5 miles (at lower speeds - much less at 45 mph). So if those cars were running only on battery, they have a very different hybrid system than the E-Ray. One that almost certainly weighs a lot more than the E-Ray's system. Is that really what GM wants in the ZR-1 / Zora?

Turbos really reduce exhaust sound levels. If that was a twin-turbo engine running in stealth exhaust mode, or maybe even tour, the exhaust is likely to be very quiet.

RapidC84B

TT in stealth will be near silent.

JMB

Based on just the weight factor alone, if it's an LT6 with E-ray front axle/battery, it's going to be REAL difficult to stomach close to 3900 lbs (unless there is SIGNIFICANT weight reduction, e.g. Magnesium Bedford Castings) for a ZR1....I understand the traction issues of just RWD, but it seems a CPC TT LT7 rather than a FPC LT6 + E-ray front axles/battery is the level of novelty and power a ZR1 should have to be known at the best of the best in the event ZORA is a pipe dream!

Redc8z06

I believe GM will go the way of the LT6 with ERay's hybrid electric AWD system to give the ZR1 830hp it's easy and cheapest way to go vs trying to add twin turbo's to the LT6 or come out with yet another new engine. As far as added weight if they went with the added twin turbo's that would add some weight as well (but not as much as the hybrid of course) GM could try and cut the weight with additional carbon fiber to the car but again adds costs. Keeping the rear (engine) the same as the Z06 keeps the maintenance the same.

The one issue I see with the hybrid system is the battery drains pretty quickly for example in a 1/4 mile run it has like 1/2 the HP left at the end of the run.

VER

That seemed like a lot of words to say the turbos would have been the prefered option over the hybrid.

Latterlon

I'm still counting on the ZR1 having a TT DOHC V8 (sounding like it's FPC) LT7, RWD only. A potential Zora allows them to thrown in the ERay batteries and front electric motor for 1,xxx hp AWD.

RapidC84B

The ZR1 will be TT, the Zora will be TT + eRay drive. Will be interesting to see if they can somehow revise the eRay drive to not cut out at 150.

VER

That was the original rumor/plan but there is growing buzz that it isn't the case.

RapidC84B

Yeah I know... but the recent videos clearly show a FPC V8 with a more muted idle and three is no evidence of them driving under electric power. The highway video is well above the eRays electric-only speed. The C8 platform is designed around the eRay's battery and drive unit. There is no room for a larger battery set or a different drive unit. GM works on economies of scale and they're not going to make an eRay and then immediatly come out with a different FWD unit for the ZR1.

VER

And what evidence does that give about turbos? I don't understand how lack of evidence of electric power is any different than lack of evidence of turbos. Everyone is still guessing basically.

Fishfryer527

Considering some dealers still don’t know how to keep a corvette from falling off a lift, I think they SHOULD keep it simpler. LT6/hybrid front. Why throw an extra engine variant into the mix when these dealerships haven’t even figured out how to keep these cars in the air?

VER

How do you know the dealers will be able to figure out the hybrid Vette with none of them on the road?

RapidC84B

The muted idle, the leaked CAD, the multiple "LT7" text instances we've seen.

OnPoint

The idle tone on what seems to be the LT7 sounds better than the LT6. That's a pleasant surprise.