[SPIED] The 2018 Corvette ZR1 Ditches its Covers for the Best Look Yet

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[SPIED] The 2018 Corvette ZR1 Ditches its Covers for the Best Look Yet


It looks like work is progressing nicely judged on the latest batch of 2018 Corvette ZR1 spy photos to hit the web. Autoblog is featuring new photos that show the prototypes have ditched the heavy fabric covers that covered the ZR1s grill and hood.

As these C7 Corvette ZR1 spy photos are bought and paid for by Autoblog, head over there now to check out the full set. We’ll be here when you come back for our expert analysis!

First things first, let’s talk about that hood bulge that looks to be hiding a larger supercharger under it.

The previous ZR1’s 2.3 liter supercharger didn’t quite fit under the stock hood and so a cutout was required which was then topped with a polycarbonate cover. The design became an instant classic as it showed the top of the Blue Devil’s supercharger through the hood. For the C7 generation, the Corvette Z06 uses a 1.7 liter supercharger which fits snugly under the hood and also offers the one-inch of space as required by European vehicle safely laws in the rare case of a pedestrian landing on the hood.

But we also know that tuners like Callaway and Lingenfelter are continuing to use the larger superchargers to generate more horsepower. Callaway’s 3rd-generation supercharger is 32% larger than the stock Corvette Z06 and with 757 horsepower, it more than meets the rumored target of the C7 ZR1’s 750 horsepower.

The Corvette team sources Eaton for its superchargers and did you know they make a 2.6 liter supercharger? Just sayin….

The ZR1’s hood bulge is shown from a couple different angles and the design appears to forgo the C7’s standard hood vents for what looks like the waterfall design found on Corvette Racing’s C7.R.


Moving to the front of the car, the C7 Corvette ZR1 is showing the two new air vents on the corners of the front fascia. The front splitter appears to have an additional vent opening just above it that runs the length of the center grill.

We do see the level three aerodynamics on each side of the front spoiler while the rear features a massive wing that is contoured and mounted on the rear hatch.

Recent speculation has suggested the Corvette team is modeling the ZR1 after the retiring Dodge Viper ACR which we describe as a street-legal track-oriented sports car. Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter once made the comment that the team would like to do more hardcore and track-focused Corvettes should the opportunity arise and this 2018 Corvette ZR1 appears to fit that description precisely.

And now that the C7 Corvette ZR1 has ditched its camouflage coverings for the swirl vinyl wrapping, it looks like the car could definitely be ready to be make its debut at January 2017’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Time to book that airfare!


Source:
Autoblog

Related:
[SPIED] 2018 Corvette ZR1 Prototypes Testing in the Rocky Mountains
[VIDEO] 2018 Corvette ZR1 Convertible Prototype Captured Testing in Ohio
[SPIED] C7 Corvette ZR1 Prototype Captured Testing

 



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