Holy shitballs - project Zora is really happening?!?

"Vee Ate Injun" (VeeAteInjun)
01/09/2015 at 02:46 • Filed to: None

A rear mid-engined Corvette is actually !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ?!? WTF!? That has literally been an ongoing rumor since the 1960's. But now there seems to be actual momentum and happenings? I... I... I'm not sure what to think. But, as a bonafide Corvette guy, my initial reaction is of pure excitment.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

When I visited the LA Auto Show this past November, I spoke to the Chevy rep who was answering questions about the C7 Zo6. I began to ask, "Do you have any info on—" "...Project Zora?," she interrupted. She knew where I was going even before I finished my question. Naturally, she stated that she couldn't offer any info, but alluded to the project actually happening this time. For reals.

Now all I have to do is figure out how I am going to be wealthy enough to afford this Chevy halo car when it comes out...

DISCUSSION (18)

Vee Ate Injun > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 02:50

...and I know this is "old news" (yesterday) but I've been away from car news (thanks, work) so I just crapped my pants while everyone else has had time to wash theirs.

GhostZ > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 02:51

Plot twist: Ecotec powered Fiero.

Vee Ate Injun > GhostZ
01/09/2015 at 02:53

Kinja'd!!!

Flavien Vidal > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 02:54

Meh... There are lots of differences between whatever they test and whatever really comes out... As far as we know it could be a "ute" for america.

And why would it be a Corvette at all?? Maybe it's just a test mule for a mid-engine sports car?

Not to mention that the driver's position is way to high for it to be a Corvette (EDIT: not a RHD car thought it was

I think it's just a sport-ute prototype for the US market.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 03:21

Woah! Shyamalan twist!

Vee Ate Injun > Flavien Vidal
01/09/2015 at 03:49

While it's still too early for anyone to confirm, all the evidence presented by C&D does point to this being a RMR Corvette, as far as I can tell. The proportions of that test mule - the C7 center section/cabin.

I don't believe for a second that any automotive manufacturer would be seriously considering a UTE for the North American market - there's no demand for a new UTE here. But, it does make sense for GM/Chevy to be looking for a piece of the global halo car pie, and this radical departure from the norm would be the street cred to get them in bakery.

And as to why it would be a Corvette and not just some brand new GM RMR sports car? The Corvette has way to much history for GM to let some young punk upstage it. Hell, history has shown that they won't even let the sibling companies upset the 'Vette . Plus, the Corvette Stingray has momentum on its side, thanks to the wide acclaim it has been receiving. So that may have given the bean counters the final incentive to move the Zora project to the next level.

StingrayJake > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 03:54

You know as well as I do that there's been mules and even bonafide road-worthy concepts in the past. I'll believe it when it lands on a showroom floor.

Flavien Vidal > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 04:01

Yes, but Corvettes are made to be easy and fun to drive at the limit. A RMR sports car is usually snappy and would be just WAY too different that what corvettes have been for the past 60 years.

So I don't know, it's a guess anyway, but I don't think this would be Corvette... On the other hand I think americans would LOVE a new El-camino...

Vee Ate Injun > StingrayJake
01/09/2015 at 04:05

Yes, I know - I've rolled my eyes many times in the past at the mid-engined 'Vette rumors. But this time feels... different.

There's magic in the air. And Zora's ghost is sprinkling it.

Vee Ate Injun > Flavien Vidal
01/09/2015 at 04:14

well, I don't know if Corvette's ever been "easy" to drive at the limit - Youtube has plenty of examples of this. But I think you're looking at this wrong - they're not saying it will replace the Corvette entirely, they're saying it would be like a new big brother to the 'Vette. This potential halo car would, as C&D mentions, be positioned above the base/normal Corvette, with limited production numbers and a price tag to match (they're guessing $150k range).

So it would be similar to the Ford GT released by Ford from 2005-2006. That halo car (which I should mentioned is rear mid-engined ) gave Ford a whole lotta street cred among the exotic car crowd, and even now still remains valuable and lust-worthy.

" On the other hand I think americans would LOVE a new El-camino. " I think some Americans would love a new El Camino. Like, a grand total of seven Americans. Everyone else here will happily cling to their big-ass pick up trucks.

Flavien Vidal > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 04:22

I've owned one, I've driven other, on the track or on the road... They are easy cars to drive at the limit, granted that you are able to drive any car at the limit of course :) (talking about C4 Corvette and after... C2s, C3s are very different and not easy when stock at the limit)

Oh and yes, it could very well be a big borther to the Corvette... Under another name, unrelated to the Corvette. But they are making assumptions about a 2017 Corvette model already.

And yes, as an entirely new mid-engine car, why not... I'd definitly love to see what mid-engine production GM sports car would look like :)

And for the El-Camino, I really don't think so... A sporty ute for the US could be something successful I think :) ... Not Ford F150 successful, but more like Toyobaru kind of successful.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 07:35

Calling it because it's now #FieroFriday. It's actually a new Fiero.

DeLM > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 08:24

I really don't think so not at this moment and not on the current architecture, they just redid the vette, and the camaro, and the Impala, that all cost's a shit tonne of money. if, and i mean if they are going to do it. expect it to hit show rooms 2020. just saying that takes a lot of money and time....but man would i live to see it..... as long as it doesnt look like a butchered vette..

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Vee Ate Injun
01/09/2015 at 11:07

Maybe it's not a Corvette. Maybe it's a Cadillac. I just don't see a RMR Vette happening.

Vee Ate Injun > DeLM
01/09/2015 at 20:41

true, but this appears as it will exist as its own "halo car" (man, I've been using that term a lot lately) above the Corvette, similar to the Ford GT's placement in Ford's lineup as a mid-engined, limited production "exotic."

I think the positive momentum the current Stingray and Z06 have built will pave the way for this new "Super Corvette."

...or maybe we're all speculating and are completely wrong and I'm going to go back to drinking my cappuccino and finishing my work so I can go home.

Vee Ate Injun > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/09/2015 at 20:44

perhaps.

Or perhaps GM is ready to jump into the exotic car game with a $150k RMR "super Corvette."

#Zorawouldapprove

DeLM > Vee Ate Injun
01/10/2015 at 11:13

Actually opened up the new Road and Track, and to my surprise!!!! Mr Lutz was talking about Zora in detail, and they even gave him an extra couple pages.... Good stuff.... You should give it a look. ;)

Vee Ate Injun > DeLM
01/11/2015 at 17:52

very cool, I'll check that out. Thanks for the heads up!