This was obviously not possible, as the Corvette moniker will remain regardless of whether its powertrain is located in the front or behind its occupants. However, if the ever-increasing rumors are true, the iconic nameplate will continue to exist as a separate brand, while it adorns the most powerful production supercar General Motors has ever produced.
The Corvette Zora was originally planned to be unveiled next spring. However, due to the ongoing global health crisis, the project was put on hold.
2025 Chevrolet Corvette Review
The Zora project is expected to be officially launched sometime in 2023, or 2024 depending on new information. This will happen right after the Corvette C8 gets a complete mid-cycle refresh. If everything goes according to plan, the Corvette Zora is going to smash all performance and power records held by Chevrolet or other General Motors brands. This hybrid powertrain combines a V8 engine with at least two electric engines that draw their power from a small Ultium battery.
The Corvette racing enthusiast Zora Arkus – Duntov was the name of the car. She helped to introduce the small-block V8 engine into the Corvette in 1955. The V8 will provide most of the power, and there will be at least two electric motors to deliver the zero-emission portion. This will give it a total output of more than 1,000 horsepower.
The 5.5-liter V8 codenamed LT7 is reportedly based on Cadillac’s 4.2-liter Blackwing engine. It will use a twin-turbocharging system and produce around 700 horsepower and a huge 1,150 Nm (875 lb-ft) of torque.
Despite the LT moniker, this mill shares almost nothing with the latest Small Block overhead valve/push-rod/OHV engine family from GM. This includes the LT2. The Zora’s V8 will instead be part of a new DOHC engine family that will also include an LT6 which is a flat-planed, naturally aspirated version of the LT7. A 115-horsepower electric engine will be paired with the LT6 for the Corvette C8 Z06, tentatively called E-Ray.
To return to the Zora model, the Chevrolet bowtie will not be featured. This will allow it to improve its reputation among McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Lamborghini supercars, as well as elevate Corvette’s brand to a higher tier.
Specs
All-wheel-drive means that the V8 will only power the rear wheels. The front axle will be powered by two electric motors. One for each wheel. A next-generation Ultium battery of approximately 10 kWh is located in the middle of your car. It can provide enough juice to drive 50km (31 miles) without the emission of any emissions.
Funny thing is that the Zora will be the first front-wheel drive Corvette ever built. However, the motors will only be used to provide the Zora with neck-snapping acceleration in all gears. The Corvette Zora’s top speed is 200+ mph (322 km/h). It will not be about land speed records as the Corvette Zora’s 0-100 km/h (62 mph acceleration time) is expected to be less than 2.5 seconds.
The Zora’s design is very different from the Corvette C8. It has a similar mid-engine layout to the Corvette C8 but it will be it’s own. You shouldn’t expect plastic parts inside the cockpit. The cockpit will be made of carbon fiber and other space-age materials.
New Design
Chevrolet Corvette electric sports cars should have the same design elements as the Z06 in terms overall silhouette and dimensions. However, GM has kept the details of the product very secretive.
A convertible should be included in the Corvette electric range, as it may increase its sales volume. The Corvette convertible is already very popular with customers. An electric powertrain will offer a more exciting and calm driving experience.
Platform
It is unlikely that the all-electric Corvette will be built on the Y2 platform, which underpins the eighth-gen Corvette. This platform is available in gasoline or gasoline-electric hybrid versions. Reuss stated that GM designed and engineered the eighth-gen Corvette’s architecture keeping in mind many variants. CNBC reported Reuss speaking about the Corvette E-Ray on January 19, 2023. We doubt that pure electricity was one of these ideas.
Reuss stated that it would be an “Ultium-based” model in a LinkedIn post posted on April 25, 2022. The electric Chevy Corvette should include a skateboard platform, like the Tesla Roadster or the Mercedes AMG GT electric.
The Ultium platform has a maximum power output of at least 1,000 hp. It is split between three electric motors with 255 kW each. This results in a predominant rear-wheel bias. GM also stated that the Ultium platform supports all types of product drives, including all-wheel and performance all-wheel drives. The electric Corvette is a possible new breed.
Battery & Range
General Motors will use Ultium modules and systems for electric trucks and SUVs in its electric sports car. It is not clear whether the Corvette electric will come with a 200-kWh heavy battery. Instead, the emphasis will be on making the sportscar lightweight and offering sufficient range to drive to the racetrack for at least an hour, then back home.
Or, owners will need to rely on Level 2 and DC fast chargers with an 800V architecture at minimum to recharge the Corvette electric quickly.
2025 Chevrolet Corvette Release Date & Price
The pricing for the 2025 Corvette remains a mystery. However, the base 1LT trim 2023 starts at $65,895. The optional extras will continue to be costly and plentiful, we expect. Add to that dealer markups, and Corvettes with more options can reach $150,000. You shouldn’t expect lower-production and higher-performance models to do any better.
The Chevrolet Corvette 2025 will be competing with the Porsche 911, Porsche 718 and, reportedly, the Shelby GT500 Mustang of the next generation.