JMB

Everyone, including myself is focused on what the unthinkable is in terms of the power, twin turbo's, etc...but is GM bracing us for what could truly be the unthinkable "subliminal UGLY" without saying it or implying it?

After seeing some of the horrific, in my mind, prices of a fully loaded C8 Z06, I decided to compare previous ZR1 base prices (1ZR Coupes) with their counterpart fully optioned Z06's...the picture wasn't pretty when you look at the percentage of cost of the fully Z06 compared to the "base" ZR1 and if in the past the cost was ~104% for the C6Z delta and 106% for the C7Z delta, I think that it's reasonable to assume the C8 ZR1 may creep by ~2% as well to maybe ~108%! Even at 106%, you're still $200K plus just for the base ZR1! Given this scenario, a loaded ZR1 could easily be $225K+ before ADM...sure hope I'm wrong!

Michael A

I think this is an interesting analysis, but I don't think they will sell many at that price.

oaktreebc

Pull out the options that weren't available in previous versions. CF wheels, CF interior bits? etc... Those will skew the numbers much higher.

JMB

I agree completely but I don't think the bean counters look at things like you and me....my point was, the precedent was that a Z06 cannot exceed the cost of the ZR1!

Our brains naturally want to rationalize potential bad news by coming up with justifications that counter the argument! Not to mention that no one was "pleasantly surprised" by the low price of the C8Z relative to the C7Z!

mtraylor2001

I think this was a well calculated and thought out post. Thanks for sharing. Looks spot on with the prediction, from your numbers.

I haven't event gotten a Z06 yet and was thinking I would like a ZR1 maybe later till you squashed my dream

spearfish25

A lot of the joy I’m getting from the Z06 is the sound. If the ZR1 doesn’t keep that characteristic, I wouldn’t be willing to pony up the cash for the upgrade.

ajag

It's a big price, but I would not at all be shocked if that ends up being very accurate. And they will sell them all.

Broken Halo

So that could put a fully optioned ZORA closing in on $250K or more!

Joe’s Z06

At least 250K!

Z0HS1CK

Yup, that's what i said too.

GM saw how crazy people went with the z06, even with the ADM's. THey know they will make an annihilation with the ZR1 and ZORA.

That's why i feel like that rumor is right about the LT3 upgrade for the SR.

BearZ06

What rumor?

CDNZR

But if the Zora is as quick or quicker then ie. SF90, would that not worth every $250k dollar?

rackemup

Sure is cool where the GM engineers are taking the new C8 platform with all these higher performing variants. I'll be a follower and spectator with the ZR1 and Zora levels or what ever else follows as the Z06 and E-Ray are way more than I could ever use on the street. Actually, the Sting Ray can get 99% of us in trouble and that may be good or bad depending on ones perspective.
Go GM!

international blue

The "unthinkable" is the fact that it will be a Turbocharged Corvette. This has never been done from the factory.

The price has to be well over $200,000.00 USD, and based on the used 2019 prices for the best of the ZR1 cars, GM will not leave too much money on the table for the lucky owners to harvest in a resale. The exclusivity and desirability of the car and the other models like Z06 and Eray are ENHANCED by a high base price, and a quarter million dollar well optioned price when the car is offered. If the car is built in low numbers, almost any price can be defended.

ZO6ZO7isme

It’s difficult to imagine a $250,000 or more ZORA being serviced at a dealership that thrives on $60,000 to $75,000 vehicles. Seems very impractical…

Z0HS1CK

Maybe in the future It could be that corvette will move away from typical chevy dealerships and have it's own branding.

JABCAT

If your initial numbers were correct, it would be an interesting analysis, but at least for the 2019 Z06, they're not. I just optioned a 2019 Z06 convertible, 3LZ, Z07, CCBs, carbon fiber ground effects, vents, hood vent, interior pk, comp seats, chrome wheels, and other goodies for $126,085 & I didn't even select all available options/accessories. Quite a bit more than the $113k you suggested.

I'd guess the ZR1 starts at $139,995 & like the Z06 will have tens of thousands of dollars in options available. They'll upcharge for the same options like 3LZ will give you the same interior as the Z06 but cost $17k instead of $14k on the Z06, just because.

Phil1098

GM is in touchy ground with this car price wise. When you get much over $100k for a toy, the air gets pretty thin, pretty quickly. We all know 100% there will be buyers, but matching how many buyers to planned build is the key. ZR-1 was never a high volume car, so this one won't be either, but if the greed monster gets too big, it could bite them. Initial response isn't a good indicator either, there will always be Billy big ***** that has to be the first on the block with the most expensive toy (who typically doesn't have any real driving skills either), it's the third year sales that will be telltale. There is no reliable way to know either, just like GM said they have hundreds of buyers for the ugliest car they've built since the Chevy Citation, the Cadillac Celestiq. At $340,000, we'll just see how many "buyers" actually pull the trigger and write the check.

ZRacerLE

The $75K ct4v blackwing is twin turbo as well. I have to think the big price tag will reflect some expensive weight reduction.

z28lt1

Yes, to this. GM priced the Z06 higher than most people expected. Not only was it still a sales hit, the average selling price is massive as the vast majority of cars are 3LZ cars -- the take rate of the higher options on the Z06 is bigger than the Stingray. The average selling price would have even been higher had Z07/Aero been more available as well. People not blinking about putting $30k+ worth of options on the Z06 "go-ahead" for GM to price the Z06 high, as the market seems to be there.


Yes, and like previous, I also think there is some overlap between a ZR1 "stripper" and a fully decked out Z06. That said, don't think it is anywhere near that low. There would be a ton of overlap if the ZR1 was at that price. My Guess would be the ZR1 starts at the very least over $160 and could really see it staring in the mid to upper 180's. I'd be stunned if it started at $207k for a stripper like the OP -- that's going to be $95k more than the Z06 ( but then again, I was also stunned at what the Z06 started at, so....)