billyboy47

So I just read where the last year C7 models could possibly include one with the ZR1 badge on it. Anyone else hear or read anything on this? If this topic had been posted already then my apologies.

Vetteman Jack

So who said the 2018 will be the last year for the C7?

G8ME

Car and Driver "When volume production begins, presumably later in ’18, today’s C7 Corvette will expire, although there should be remaining stock for those who prefer the traditional powertrain layout used for more than six decades. The C7’s final hurrah will occur at next year’s 2017 NAIAS, when a swan-song mega-power edition debuts, possibly wearing the illustrious ZR1 badge."

mcoomer

So, the production run for the C7 would be 5 years, if Car and Driver is to be believed? That doesn't jive with historical Corvette production life cycles. C6, 9 years. C5, 8 years. C4, 13 years. I don't think they get rid of the C7 that quickly.

Gotta agree with Vetteman Jack on this one...

Mike

RIKKI Z-06

jkeithv

Wow. This may actually be happening. Kind of excited about the potential, but really more sad about the possible death of the classic Vette design and architecture. I really, really wish they'd just make it a completely seperate model.
So this looks like the predicted timeline:

2018 model year gets even higher hp C7, probably called ZR1. And is last model year of C7, unless enough stock carries it over into 2019.
2019 begines C8 with mid-rear pushrod V8, 450-500hp.
2020 high hp C8 with new 4 cam, 32 valve V8.
2021 E-Ray hybrid with additional electric front drive motors.

Posted today:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/c8-in-2018-the-latest-on-the-mid-engine-chevrolet-corvette/

sTz

Don't believe everything that you read. There is a lot of speculation on the C7 run, but it will certainly last a couple more years. I doubt that the ZR1 moniker will be used along side the Z06, but I guess it could replace it...

IMO, if there is going to be another ZR1, then it'll be reintroduced in the C8, which is still a few years out.

Z06 1of38

Another zr1 speculation thread?.......

dvilin

All the speculation and rumors has gotten a bit overdone and driven me to the point of who cares. I am enjoying my Vette and for now that is the bottom line.

Can Vette

This is about return on investment...and about holding onto and expanding a niche in the market where C7 outsells Porsche and other competitors....and, of course, C7 continues to build a name for itself and GM in the international markets.
Any upscale model, whatever it is called, (ZR1, Zora, C8), would be a "specialty" version to complete with the NSX, R8, Ford GT etc.

But GM is not going to all of a sudden replace C7 with an enhanced or mid-engine model. Spent too much to develop it.

Not likely that C7 will end production anytime soon.

dovervold

Well said, C7 is alive and well

jimmyb

"What I believe" by Jimmy B
1. I believe there will be a mid-engine Corvette
2. I believe it will arrive as a C8
3. I have no idea when that will be

"What I DON'T believe"
1. There will be an even more powerful (than the Z06) C7. The C7 Z06 has track cooling issues. Pretty certain that MORE horsepower doesn't eliminate that major issue, but makes it worse.

PS. I'm probably wrong. I thought they would NEVER do a C7 GS....how'd that work out for me?

Bettermost

There will be a mid engine halo super car in 2018 along side the C7, No way GM is coming out with a new Grand Sport model for only one model year think about it. Yea maybe C8 will also be mid engine and based off the 2018 halo car, but not until sometime around 2021. Someone @ C&D is on drugs.

BenCasey

WTF is a zr1?

If it's supposed to be more power than a z06, what do you do with it? Drive around in 1st gear?

STAGED

I have no comment on the ZR1. I did read the latest news on the 2019 mid-engine'd Corvette transition. Here are some bits of info you can take any way you wish.

1) The mid-engine'd Corvette was supposed to be for the C7, but likely the great recession shelved that plan, and Tadge J. had to make due with optimizing the front-engine'd/rear-transmission layout one last time.

2) This would've made the C7 a relatively brief stop-gap generation for what GM really intended the Corvette be.

3) For many years, mid-engine'd was considered, but now we're getting to power and performance levels where you're on the ragged edge of making things tractable for a front-engine'd layout. Look at how much draggy downforce aids are needed for the latest C7 Z06 to make the front-engine'd layout work.

4) The Vette going upmarket will allow the Camaro to spread its wings upmarket without so much of the current overlap. Also, a mid-engine Vette will likely remove the possibility of pesky Mustang vs. Vette mag. comparos.

5) Audi R8, new NSX, rear-engine'd GT3/911, and most of all cross-town rival Ford GT are stealing the exotic car thunder. Currently, the Vette's in no man's land, for not really being an exotic (it is an exotic killer numbers wise), but too expensive to be a Mustang/Camaro rival. If you want to stay front-engine, AWD is a must like the Nissan GT-R, which I doubt GM wants to do on the Vette unless it's via hybrid tech. IMHO, Ford is arguably the most serious domestic performance brand: future 2.7L TT Fusion AWD, Mustangs of all flavors, Fiesta ST, Focus ST and RS, even spicy versions of Edge/Explorer, Raptor, and the Ford GT. I don't think GM can feel comfortable letting Ford pull away so far.

6) Currently non-Z06 C7 owners should be happy with future resale values given the rumored entry price for the mid-engine C8 will be $80,000. Some traditionalists and those Vette owners without the high financial means will buoy up the C7 values for years.

7) I think there will be more than one year of production overlap between the front-engine'd C7 and C8 Vette.

billyboy47

And you believe the Z06 will remain the most powerful corvette GM will make?

Funny, I said the same thing about the GS.

craigcurry

This is what I believe, there will be a C8, when it will arrive I have no idea. The C7 is a wonderful platform and I can't believe that it will have a less than 6 year run. Unlike the other mid-engine exotic super cars the corvette is a car for the masses. The sale figures against the mid-engine exotic super cars prove that fact. Question, can a car targeted for the masses be an mid-engine exotic super car? What I mean by a car targeted for the masses is that the corvette buyer will track the corvette or use the corvette as a daily driver or have the corvette as a weekend warrior or some combination of those uses. Can an exotic mid-engine corvette be used as a daily driver? Think about the limited visibility in high traffic conditions. Just my 2 cents.

coupeguyz51

roadbike56

Not long ago on this forum, a "leak" by a C7 body panel manufacturer indicated that body panels for a new GM car, made from the same or similar material as the C7 Corvette would begin manufacture in 2019 for presumably a MY 2020 car. Interesting, they needed to add to their plant because they would be manufacturing the body panels for the new vehicle and the C7 at the same time. As I recall from that discussion, the C7 was scheduled to run through 2022.
While I don't know how reliable that information is, personally, I trust that a lot more than Car & Driver who'll say almost anything to sell mags.

Red C8 of Jax

The C-7 will be around for 8-9 years. The upscale model (rear engine) will come out probably before the C-7 cycle ends. Don't see GM making a cheap (80-100K) Rear Engine car to compete with Ford GT, NSX or R8. The price for the Rear Engine car will be around 150-250K. Corvette can not survive making a limited number of Rear Engine Cars for 150-250K. Enjoy your C-7 and if you have 150-250K buy the Rear Engine car. Just my 2cents.