GM's KOTH ZR1 Legacy

[XfireZ51]

Recently, rumors of a new mid-engine ZR1 Corvette have become more realistic w the exposure of a mid-engine running around the Tech Center in broad daylight. Just thinking about it, we have had a ZR-1 in the C3, C4, C6, and now possibly the C8 generations. I suspect this isn't just a haphazard type of thing but would be interested in others thoughts.

Hib,

Would be very interested in your views and insights given your history and journalistic history.

[tpepmeie]

I believe the first ZR-1 was a C3. Around 1970.

[Bob Eyres]

The corporate marketing nabobs will ultimately rule on this, but it's my opinion that if this mid-engine car comes to market it should be dubbed the ZR1 for these reasons:

In legend, if not in established fact, the terms ZR1 and ZR2 were coined in the early 1970's to refer to those rare competition cars as "Zora's Racers".

Zora Arkus Duntov has always been well known as the prime exponent of mid- engine variants of the Corvette for numerous engineering reasons.

Even though Mr. Duntov's dream of a mid-engine Chevy supercar never came to pass within his tenure. This new 21st. Century car should wear his name as a lasting tribute to him as the one man that almost singlehandedly saved the Corvette from the dustbin of history, as just another corporate "T-Bird".

And if for whatever reason they decide, this time, to leave the term ZR1 on the shelf, I propose that they just use the term "ZORA" for the new Corvette.
It's a great name, with history and deep meaning for us. And the car is going to kick ***.

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by tpepmeie

I believe the first ZR-1 was a C3. Around 1970.

Yeah ypur right Todd. Apologies for the misinformation.
Made the correction above.

[Regimof]

I've read, more than once, that powering said beast might be a 4 cam, 32 valve motor....

[cvette98pacecar]

She's coming, It may not be a mid engine car. But it will have 4 cams and VVT timing.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/lt5/

[Z51JEFF]

If this car does come together Mid Engine I HOPE IT ISNT A V6. Have heard several rumors of a V6 floating around lately.

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

If this car does come together Mid Engine I HOPE IT ISNT A V6. Have heard several rumors of a V6 floating around lately.

What's somewhat frustrating is that GM has done a fine job developing
OHC architecture on their V6's.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

What's somewhat frustrating is that GM has done a fine job developing
OHC architecture on their V6's.

Well said! Just as a teaser, the performance of our 2016 4900+ pound Buick Enclave w/ the N/A V6, (3.6L 24 valve, DOHC, VVT, DI) is amazing - all things (49xx pounds) considered. (And an even better (the improvede LFX) is slated for 2017.) The flat torque curve of the LLT delivers the same kind of pull characteristics of our beloved LT5s - maybe a bit better, actually(?). In short: The combo of engine and transmission compares very well with V8 performance of yesteryear: no doubt about it! So, hold that thought...

In case nobody at Corvette noticed (but I'm sure they did), Corvette isn't doing nearly as well as past years at some of the most prestigious events of late.

Arguably, the 24hr Le Mans race is the pinnacle of GT racing. And ALL 4 of the top 4 winners on the of the 2016 24hr Le Mans GT1 winners were mid-engine cars powered with DOHC motors, and 3 of the top 4 positions (1st. 3rd. and 4th) were occupied by the FORD mid-engine, DOHC, 32 valve V8s! To see that must have left a sour taste of frustration in the mouths of the Corvette engineers...as it does to a lot of Corvette supporters and buyers, for sure!

At the last Chicago WANNAGOFAST event in 2014, Corvette wasn't anywhere close to the top 4 in the 1/2 mile top speed event. In fact not even one in the top 20. You had to dig down to 25th place to find any Corvette. Now there's no sign of Corvette in the winner's circle at Le Mans. Does these two examples say anything?

(Incidentally, the fastest car as well as several...perhaps most...of the 2014 WANNAGOFAST cars were FI V6s. Just a thought teaser...)

Its high time for a new ZR1 to occupy the winners podium(s) again. And, to the casual observer, the writing has been on the wall for some time now - even w/in GM's halls. And the winning car design and engine architecture of late is leaving Corvette fans wanting something better. What better way to reinstate the LT5 (and the ZR-1) to the recognition it deserves than to acknowledge it with a modern version of the architecture that was so dominant then and even more so now. (We) want the reemergence of the KOTH!

[XfireZ51]

BTW Paul,

I think the 25th fastest car there was Al's 441 at 160mph.