OMG! The 2028 Corvette ZORA is a 6.7L Twin Turbo LS7 Swan Song for the C8 Era

By
Keith Cornett
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17
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OMG! The 2028 Corvette ZORA is a 6.7L Twin Turbo LS7 Swan Song for the C8 Era

Photo Credit: Grok via X.com


Editor’s Note: This story is not real. It was written for April Fool’s Day in which we join other automotive publications who prank their readers with a story that is usually too good to be true. However, there have been indications that GM isn’t done with the ZORA name just yet, which is why this car COULD exist at some time in the future. We appreciate you all playing along and hopefully being entertained. – Keith

We’ve been on the fence about whether or not Chevrolet was done with the idea that there still may be a range-topping ZORA model still waiting in the wings. There have been some indications, and now we finally got the second confirmation we were waiting for. Don’t discount that horrible AI rendering I have below as the info itself is legit. The ZORA is Real…and it will be Spectacular.


Yes, I’ve heard that members of the team were saying they are done with C8 Corvettes, but are they really? Our source is someone near the team and they offered up a huge download on the limited-edition ZORA model which is planned for the 2028 and the final model year for the C8 generation. Here is what we know: Chevy is planning two special editions for the Corvette’s 75th Anniversary with the ZORA model being one of those. It’s limited to 500 units, all of which are numbered. This reminds us of the 1978 model year where Chevrolet offered the first Corvette Anniversary Edition for its 25th Anniversary, as well as an Indy 500 Pace Car replica.

Here’s where things really get interesting. Just like the Gemini program in which Chevy’s small block engineers took the 5.5L flat-plane LT6 of the Z06 and bolted on a pair of 72mm turbos to create the LT7 for the ZR1, the Corvette team has tasked them with repeating the Gemini playbook with the all-new 6.7L LS6 that debuts in the 2027 Grand Sport this summer.

OMG! The 2028 Corvette ZORA is a 6.7L Twin Turbo LS7 Swan Song for the C8 Era


Starting with the LS6’s 409ci aluminum block, they completely reengineered it for forced induction. Twin 76mm ball-bearing turbocharges are integrated into the exhaust manifolds just like the ZR1’s LT7, and they are capable of instant spool and zero lag up to 28 psi of boost. The target level for the LS7’s power was 1,200 hp at the crank with an additional 186-hp coming from the ZR1X’s eAWD system. That would give the ZORA a combined 1,400 hp under full boost.

And finally, as a hint to what may be coming for the C9, the ZORA will have an integrated active aero rear spoiler. Looking much like the base-level spoilers on all the models ranging from the GS/Z06/ZR1/ZR1X, Corvette engineers hid a carbon fiber airfoil inside the existing profile, and at speed it can deploy 4.5 inches and can pivot up to 15-degrees for adjustable downforce or drag reduction. The Z-Mode button (renamed ZORA Mode) automatically switches between max downforce (track), or auto-adjust (street), and there is low-drag mode for drag strip runs. The result is a cleaner design with more downforce than any previous C8 Corvette.

That bigger, badder Corvette ZORA model was first discussed by Auto Reviewer Doug DeMuro last year. He mentioned still hearing whispers of a new Corvette producing more horsepower even after the ZR1X was introduced.

Our friend Rick ‘Corvette’ Conti had also recently talked about a possible 500-unit limited edition model coming. We can’t find the video where he said that so it must have been one that he had to remove. (That’s what they do when you get too close to the truth.)

This will be the ultimate send-off for the very popular C8 Corvette generation, and our only wish is that the ZORA would be a real tribute to Corvette’s first chief engineer who always wanted a mid-engine Corvette. Instead, it’s just a fictional model used as a prank for an April Fool’s Day joke. Sorry, Folks. The moose out front should have told ya.


Source:
Graphic by X.com’s GROK

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17 COMMENTS

  3. I was gonna say….that’d be a huge coincidence that the first/only time we’ve heard of the LS7 for the 6th gen SBC….just happened to be on April 1st.

  4. Almost as soon as I opened it, it hit me… Still, very convincing write-up, and frankly, things like the active aero probably will be coming along soon enough!

  13. I was really believing all of this until I found out that it’s all bullshit. While I did think it was real I couldn’t help but think that Chevrolet is really milking the C8 for all it can. Now that they’ve come out with the Grand Sport and Grand SportX it’s time to move on to the C9 next!

  14. All day long and no one got me….until now. You should have added it would be available with that Tremec manual transaxle.

  15. Why don’t they redesign the body style every few years like ferrari and many others. instead of producing 500 thousand of the same body style? It’s not that nice to see so many just like mine driving all over everywhere, when your out driving one. That being said, it is a
    fantastic event on every drive.

  16. @Dartanian

    Changing up the body style every 6 years and offering a lot of 1-2 year only paint colors–would be a huge win for GM. It would definitely drive sales and the exclusivity would give owners a better feeling about what they own.

    It’s the same thing with the Camaro. GM should only bring it back for 5 years, replace it with the Chevelle for 5 years. Replace it with the FireBird for 5 years. Replace it with the Monte Carlo for 5 years. Etc. Would definitely drive sales.

  17. I agree with M; Cruel! Just think, IF this were to happen, you’d get great performance with the bass-like growl. I’m just too old to really enjoy the angry wasp sound of the flat plane crank engine.

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