Zac Quinn 
Heavily camouflaged prototypes of a future C8 Corvette trim have been popping up in photos on the internet as a few cars were spotted in a parking lot in Colorado. It’s unclear what the specific model is, but we have a solid guess that Chevrolet is high-altitude testing the upcoming C8 Corvette ZR1. But now, we don’t just have photos as a video uploaded to YouTube from Frim Autos showcases the cars, not just sitting but idling their way out of a parking lot, likely to test some steeper terrains.
In the video, Frim ponders that the camouflaged vehicles are just a Z06 and perhaps even an E-Ray (or both), but it’s clear that that couldn’t be the case for one straightforward reason. Both models are already released. It wouldn’t make sense for Chevrolet to have them so heavily covered to hide the design or to still be high-altitude testing, which we know has already been completed based on previous sightings in Colorado for the E-Ray. That leaves just one other option, the upcoming and highly anticipated C8 Corvette ZR1.
C8 Corvette ZR1: What To Expect
The C8 Corvette ZR1 will continue to utilize a widebody design that’s present on the Z06 and E-Ray, which is what has been throwing people off about these recently spotted test mules. We can expect the front, rear, and side exterior design elements to differ from the Z06, which should help differentiate the ZR1 from the lesser models. And yes, the ZR1 will feature the same center-exit exhaust design as the Z06. Now things should start piecing together regarding these images and videos.
As for the powertrain of the C8 Corvette ZR1, that will take what’s found in the Z06 to another level with a higher-output variant of the LT6 engine with two turbochargers. This 5.5L flat-plane TTV8 engine will be known as the LT7 and could have an output of around 850-900 horsepower. Like all other C8 variants, an 8-speed TremecDCT will send power directly to the rear wheels in milliseconds. The ZR1 will also likely be one of the last new Corvettes to be powered exclusively by an internal combustion engine, so it will be pretty special once it launches for what we suspect will be for the 2025 model year.
