CORVETTE ZR1-X ?

[WItoTX]

I'd argue the C6Z is the last true American sports car. Big, simple engine, rwd, manual.

I think the soul of the sports car is dead. This car, as technologically impressive as it is, and it is a feat for sure, lacks the "fizz" the top gear presenters used to go on about.

Also, I hope it absolutely crushes the GT3RS Nuremberg time!

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[Bikeman315]

As an automotive enthusiast I applaud GM and Chevrolet for having the balls to make an American Hypercar. All of the ”well it doesn’t have this” or “it doesn’t do that” comments are just Internet forum trolling. This is the American Bugatti and should hailed as one of the most significant American automobiles ever made.

I’d love to see Ford do something like this but we all know that is never going to happen.

 

[robvas]

At that power level a stick would be so much slower

 

[Ewheels]

If they wanted insane sales a manual would blow the market up!

No it wouldn't.
The manual transmission is slowly disappearing because almost no one buys them.

The manufacturers make what sells. No one buys them, so they stop making them.

 

[detamble13]

Zora was the internal project name and was changed to an X for production. Less impactful I think and my first thought was if this isn't Zora then what is still to come. But no this is Zora.

This car is insane and rightly sits as the all time pinnacle of Corvette performance. Most will sit as art pieces though but I hope to see one in the wild. Maybe more of the "regular" ZR1s will be driven.

Of course the Corvette should offer a manual. On the Stingray and Z06 it would be a welcome addition to the driving experience. No need for it on the ZR1 or E-Ray.

 

[SheepDog]

If they wanted insane sales a manual would blow the market up! They could call it the True Connoisseurs Car!

People say that, but the reality is that a very small percentage of the sales of any car with an available manual, actually sell with a manual transmission. Hell, even VW got rid of the manual for 2025 models for both the GTI and Golf R (which seems insane to me)

That being said, I too would love a C8 with a stick, even if they only offered it in the naturally aspirated versions (preferably the Z06)

The performance and power of these insane modern vehicles is in part, due to the very sophisticated transmission and drivetrain behavior. Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren and others moved away from manuals a long time ago because 1- they don't sell, and 2- cannot come close in terms of performance to these ridiculous hybrid, forced induction, AWD super machines.

 

[MAGS1]

I have to LOL at some of the manual comments. Drive a C8, the DCT is the perfect transmission for that car. Shifts are lightning fast and the programming is top notch. Drive it hard and the shifts are optimal, keeping you in the power band the entire time. You won’t shift a manual better.

I love a manual as much as anyone else, but it’s not needed in the C8 and quite honestly might hold it back.

And no, offering a manual will not garner more interest in it. There’s a reason everyone is discontinuing manuals, nobody wants them anymore. Heck, Ford stopped charging extra for the automatic in the Mustang. That should tell you all you need to know about people’s interest in manuals.

 

[RJ787]

As an automotive enthusiast I applaud GM and Chevrolet for having the balls to make an American Hypercar. All of the ”well it doesn’t have this” or “it doesn’t do that” comments are just Internet forum trolling. This is the American Bugatti and should hailed as one of the most significant American automobiles ever made.

I’d love to see Ford do something like this but we all know that is never going to happen.

Hey now, Ford gave us the Ford GT, which won LeMans on its 2016 debut, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the original GT40 winning LeMans on its debut as well.

Sure, it isn't a hybrid, and costs 3X-5X the Corvette, but winning LeMans is a pretty big flex.

I agree wholeheartedly though, this ZR1X is an engineering marble.

 

[Bikeman315]

Hey now, Ford gave us the Ford GT, which won LeMans on its 2016 debut, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the original GT40 winning LeMans on its debut as well.

Sure, it isn't a hybrid, and costs 3X-5X the Corvette, but winning LeMans is a pretty big flex.

I agree wholeheartedly though, this ZR1X is an engineering marble.

I'm with you on that but then you could also add the GTD. But I'm talking about regular production cars. But let's be real. A front engine, rear wheel drive layout with the 5.0 isn't going to get it done. I do not think Ford is even considering a mid engine, AWD, hybrid car of any kind.

Yeah, but at least we have the FX.

 

[Headless Horseman]

I wish this was a move that made Ford get off their ass, but I doubt it. To me the GTD is a yawn in comparison to this type of car. I respect the Multi-mac aspect but it's more exciting innovations taking place. Ford needs more car guys in their meetings. Car guys with the balls to say "Hey this is some BS!" Are you guys not paying attention to the other companies?" Its like the Cool Department was closed in Ford after the MACH 1.

 

[SheepDog]

I wish this was a move that made Ford get off their ass, but I doubt it. To me the GTD is a yawn in comparison to this type of car. I respect the Multi-mac aspect but it's more exciting innovations taking place. Ford needs more car guys in their meetings. Car guys with the balls to say "Hey this is some BS!" Are you guys not paying attention to the other companies?" Its like the Cool Department was closed in Ford after the MACH 1.

This new Vette will likely annihilate a GTD in every metric, and for around the same price. I agree with you, the GTD is Meh.

 

[Headless Horseman]

This new Vette will likely annihilate a GTD in every metric, and for around the same price. I agree with you, the GTD is Meh.

Facts! I say again Ford needs to step it up. It's getting boring. Its starting to remind me of the out of touch guys who come up with "New" thing that everyone else has already moved away from.
I remember telling my brother with his Camaro when I first got my Mustang how Chevy needed to step it up and their technology was outdated. I boasted on DOHC, Port and Direct Injection, IRS, 10Speed Auto, smaller cubes with high compression, 3.55 gears. It was so cool. It felt like someone in Ford had listened to my ideas or stole them from me!

 

[Massman]

I'm a standard guy, but a ride in my friend's new Z06 with it's 8 speed dual clutch auto changed my mind. Even using the paddle shifters, you can't match the auto's shift speed. Quick and crisp. I was impressed.

 

[Bikeman315]

Facts! I say again Ford needs to step it up. It's getting boring. Its starting to remind me of the out of touch guys who come up with "New" thing that everyone else has already moved away from.
I remember telling my brother with his Camaro when I first got my Mustang how Chevy needed to step it up and their technology was outdated. I boasted on DOHC, Port and Direct Injection, IRS, 10Speed Auto, smaller cubes with high compression, 3.55 gears. It was so cool. It felt like someone in Ford had listened to my ideas or stole them from me!

To build a car the likes of a ZR1 or ZR1-X would require a total new division much like the old SVT. The cost of developing a totally new car would be astronomical. As Ford has never considered the Corvette a Mustang competitor (except for the 2 seat Thunderbird) why would they start now?

Besides if they were to do it would you really want to see a mid engine all wheel drive hybird with only a dual clutch tranny? There would be nothing else that could compete with the Vette.

 

[WItoTX]

I have to LOL at some of the manual comments. Drive a C8, the DCT is the perfect transmission for that car. Shifts are lightning fast and the programming is top notch. Drive it hard and the shifts are optimal, keeping you in the power band the entire time. You won’t shift a manual better.

I love a manual as much as anyone else, but it’s not needed in the C8 and quite honestly might hold it back.

And no, offering a manual will not garner more interest in it. There’s a reason everyone is discontinuing manuals, nobody wants them anymore. Heck, Ford stopped charging extra for the automatic in the Mustang. That should tell you all you need to know about people’s interest in manuals.

Fair points. GM is building to a common denominator. Most of these cars will prowl around downtown at no more than 12 miles an hour.

It's my position this is another soulless car chasing the numbers, and losing sight of the essence of what makes a car special. And it's performance figures are astounding. Both things can be true. And I think when you read "if it only had a manual", what you are really reading is someone who believes this car is soulless. There is no one on the planet that believes they can shift faster than these modern transmissions.

All time great cars like the 458 Speciale, the OG Countach, the C6Z, and the GT350R are a thing of the past. Meanwhile screens, HP figures, and Nuremburg times are what MFG's now chase.

This car, as bad ass and technologically savvy as it is, will never be mentioned with the four cars I have listed. It will always be a sidenote in history. "Oh the Americans made a Corvette with the engine on the wrong end and still made enough room for golf bats."

I know I am an outlier here. But I don't care. I love this car and despise it at the same time.

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