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Is the 2018 Corvette ZR1 Making a Surprise Appearance at Le Mans?

By
Keith Cornett
-
Jun 16, 2017
1090

Photo Credit: AutomobileMag.com
Is Chevrolet preparing to give Corvette enthusiasts a sneak peak of the 2018 Corvette ZR1 at Le Mans? Why else would they send one of their prototypes as the sole cargo on a 747 to Europe? That’s the thinking after AutomobileMag.com published two photos of a barely covered ZR1 strapped to a shipping pallet in the belly of a cargo jet.



The website said they were tipped to the photos posted online (no attribution given) of what shows a “2018 Corvette ZR1 prototype prepped for a Nurburgring lap record attempt.”

The ZR1 in question is a big wing coupe which is still set up with the “Laguna Seca” exhaust meant to direct the sound away from sound monitors. The ZR1 prototypes were all sporting a similar set of pipes when they were spotted at the Nurburgring in April-May of this year.

One tidbit we caught is that the car is wearing silver wheels now. The big wing prototypes have been spotted exclusively with black matte wheels while a couple small-wing ZR1 Convertibles have recently been spotted with silver wheels in the Detroit area.

There is a lot that we don’t know though. When were these photos taken? What is the jet’s destination? Was the car indeed the only occupant or was the photo taken as it was loaded first, or unloaded last? Too many unsaid questions.

However, they did throw out a Le Mans appearance and that got us thinking. What if (and a big what if) Chevrolet were to give a tease of the 2018 Corvette ZR1 as it did in October 2007 when the C6 Corvette ZR1 prototype did a couple of hot laps at Laguna Seca prior to an ALMS race.

The organizers of Le Mans do allow various entities to do parade laps on the Circuit de la Sarthe prior to the start of the 24 hour race which begins at 3 pm local time. Here is that video from fast parade lap around Le Mans hours before the 2014 race started.

With all the camouflage and the exhaust set up, it makes only sense the car is either coming or going from the Nurburgring. We can only hope that Chevrolet would take the opportunity for a quick tease at Le Mans where an international automotive press would be on hand to witness.


Photo Credit: AutomobileMag.com

Jmcdude

That would be so cool. Hope that happens and thank for sharing. Will definitely be tuned in.

Garret

No..this is a picture from when it went to Germany...nice try though...lol