Is This 2018 Corvette ZR1 Render The Real Deal?

This render uses x-ray vision to aggregate all known ZR1 details into one image. Picture courtesy CorvetteForum.

Hey Corvette peeps, tired of squinting at C7 ZR1 spy shots trying to make sense of what’s underneath corkscrew camo and vinyl bras? Well, feast your eyes on this razor sharp and deliciously detailed render from the folks over at Corvette Forum.

Ever since it was introduced, the C7 has been considered somewhat of a “hot head” with lingering cooling issues, but as we’ve seen from the last few generations of Corvette, Chevrolet is constantly improving it’s flagship sports car and if this render is anything close to the real deal, an Achilles Heel of the current car will soon be addressed.

All the ZR1 mules spotted over the last few months look basically stock from the A-pillar back, so this render suggests what the front end of the ZR1 will look like. With huge intakes on either side of the center grille, finally getting airflow to the all the right places should be a breeze, literally.

Compare render with this prototype caught in the wild.

It’s been suggested that the ZR1 Corvette might be sporting twin-turbo technology but we think that’s barking up the wrong tree. If the Cadillac ATS-V’s 3.6 liter, twin-turbo V-6 is any indication of what might be in store for the ZR1 or Zora/C8, we’re thrilled, but we think Chevrolet will stick with supercharging for the latest ZR1.

Why you ask? Well, having just gotten back from SEMA 2016 in Las Vegas, Corvette Online got a first hand look at the latest in large displacement superchargers and we have a hunch that we’ll see the first OEM application of these big screw blowers in Detroit come January. The swollen hood bulge via the spy shots and in this render reinforces the notion of a blower lurking below as well.

Vents and hood bulge seen clearly here and reflected accurately in render. Photo courtesy MotorAthority.

It also looks like the ZR1 is shaping up to be a Z06 with a heapin’ helping of automotive MSG, i.e., bigger vents, wings, horsepower and overall hutzpah. The jury is out on the Boeing class wing on the tail, but brace yourselves folks, we’re betting it will make it to production.

Entry level horsepower for the new-age ZR1 will have to be 700hp minimum. Where it lands after that is anyones guess, but with the Hellcat, Shelby Mustangs and baby brother Camaros sporting mega horsepower and nipping at the Corvette’s heels, Chevy will have to bust out some big artillery to stay ahead of the pack.

As far as running gear, we’re thinking we’ll see lowered ride height, tweaked suspension tuning, Pilot tires and hopefully a few surprises. Although not talked about much, will GM 10-speed transmission debut here as well?

For now, all this is still speculation, but this render “wets our whistle” for now. The best part of of all this sleuthing is following the bread crumbs and seeing where they lead. Hopefully the destination will be big horsepower, Corvette nirvana.