Could the "Zora" be GM's Answer to the Ford GT?
07-14-2014, 07:56 PM
#1
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Could the "Zora" be GM's Answer to the Ford GT?
Let’s face it, the all-new C7 Z06 is easily the most impressive piece of performance hardware to ever come from GM. If you go nuts with the options list, the differences between the Z06 and the C7.R racer come down to essentially the interior trim—except for the fact that the Z06 has more*horsepower than the race car.
With more power and performance than even the last-gen ZR1, where can Corvette go from here? What kind of voodoo will GM have to perform to make a car better than this?
To be completely honest, I'm not sure the General can push the Corvette any farther in its current form. The Z06 is already a supercar killer in its own right, but to make a business case for a new-generation ZR1, etc., horsepower ratings will have to climb into the 700 range. If that becomes the case, the Corvette is playing in a whole new league of supercar royalty. Suddenly this isn't a car that is "almost as fast as a Ferrari 458." Instead, it begins to stare machines like the Lamborghini Aventador and Ferrari F12berlinetta in the face.
Take a moment and step back from your Corvette love. Can you honestly imagine a world where GM could merely add some horsepower and a touch more carbon fiber to the Corvette, and call it an F12 competitor? I’m having a really hard time envisioning that, but let’s say GM only took the engine from the Corvette and used it to make a new car. This is where things get*interesting.
Read the rest on the Corvette Forum homepage.
07-14-2014, 08:12 PM
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
1. That rendering above is pure butt ugly. 
2. It takes more than just HP to be "supercar royalty."
3. Aspiring to be the next Ford GT isn't aiming very high. How many did they sell and how often do you see one?
2. It takes more than just HP to be "supercar royalty."
3. Aspiring to be the next Ford GT isn't aiming very high. How many did they sell and how often do you see one?
07-14-2014, 08:14 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Sorry but that ugly sketch does not hold a candle to the Ford GT, I do not care how much power it has.
I do think it would be interesting if GM tried to create something above the Vette, honestly I think it would be a smart move, but I am not sure the cost would be worth the risk.
I do think it would be interesting if GM tried to create something above the Vette, honestly I think it would be a smart move, but I am not sure the cost would be worth the risk.
07-14-2014, 09:40 PM
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Corvette, to those who work on them at GM, is a low volume vehicle. Low volume vehicles are always at risk if sales are poor. Why would GM want to duplicate the scenario? One is enough IMHO.
07-14-2014, 09:40 PM
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An unnecessary and unfortunate-looking car. It would serve little purpose as a developmental bed for the C8, and draw resources from much more critically-needed programs to ensure the long-term viability of Chevrolet and General Motors. In other words, it makes little or no business sense . . . and in my opinion, it just doesn't have enough "wow factor" potential to trump that decision. While in the arena of automotive bragging rights, cars like this are accompanied by the sounds of descending zippers and the dropping of pants, you don't get and can't sustain your position at that table by answering a question no one asked.
In short, GM doesn't need this car. It would be very expensive, serve little or no purpose, generate little or no revenue, plus (and this is critically important) . . . What do you do if it fails, and doesn't win? And not just win, but DOMINATE. It would appear to have more potential for drain than halo. I'll pass.
In short, GM doesn't need this car. It would be very expensive, serve little or no purpose, generate little or no revenue, plus (and this is critically important) . . . What do you do if it fails, and doesn't win? And not just win, but DOMINATE. It would appear to have more potential for drain than halo. I'll pass.
07-14-2014, 09:46 PM
#7
Team Owner
let’s face it, the all-new c7 z06 is easily the most impressive piece of performance hardware to ever come from gm. If you go nuts with the options list, the differences between the z06 and the c7.r racer come down to essentially the interior trim—except for the fact that the z06 has more*horsepower than the race car.
Except the 'race car is a whole lot lighter weight
with more power and performance than even the last-gen zr1, where can corvette go from here? What kind of voodoo will gm have to perform to make a car better than this?
Big mistake that "thing is flat ugly and will become a "modern edsel"
to be completely honest, i'm not sure the general can push the corvette any farther in its current form. The z06 is already a supercar killer in its own right, but to make a business case for a new-generation zr1, etc., horsepower ratings will have to climb into the 700 range. If that becomes the case, the corvette is playing in a whole new league of supercar royalty. Suddenly this isn't a car that is "almost as fast as a ferrari 458." instead, it begins to stare machines like the lamborghini aventador and ferrari f12berlinetta in the face.
Take a moment and step back from your corvette love. Can you honestly imagine a world where gm could merely add some horsepower and a touch more carbon fiber to the corvette, and call it an f12 competitor? I’m having a really hard time envisioning that, but let’s say gm only took the engine from the corvette and used it to make a new car. This is where things get*interesting.
read the rest on the corvette forum homepage.
07-14-2014, 09:48 PM
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07-14-2014, 09:49 PM
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An unnecessary and unfortunate-looking car. It would serve little purpose as a developmental bed for the C8, and draw resources from much more critically-needed programs to ensure the long-term viability of Chevrolet and General Motors. In other words, it makes little or no business sense . . . and in my opinion, it just doesn't have enough "wow factor" potential to trump that decision. While in the arena of automotive bragging rights, cars like this are accompanied by the sounds of descending zippers and the dropping of pants, you don't get and can't sustain your position at that table by answering a question no one asked.
In short, GM doesn't need this car. It would be very expensive, serve little or no purpose, generate little or no revenue, plus (and this is critically important) . . . What do you do if it fails, and doesn't win? And not just win, but DOMINATE. It would appear to have more potential for drain than halo. I'll pass.
In short, GM doesn't need this car. It would be very expensive, serve little or no purpose, generate little or no revenue, plus (and this is critically important) . . . What do you do if it fails, and doesn't win? And not just win, but DOMINATE. It would appear to have more potential for drain than halo. I'll pass.
Modern "EDSEL" !
07-14-2014, 10:22 PM
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07-14-2014, 11:10 PM
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The Ford GT died for a reason.
07-14-2014, 11:17 PM
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Had the chance to buy one from the original owner for 115K
They are double that and way more guys want one than were built!
Pure supply and demand (and a bit of speculation mixed in) exercise.
07-14-2014, 11:24 PM
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07-15-2014, 12:30 AM
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07-15-2014, 07:00 AM
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07-15-2014, 07:31 AM
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Ford built the FGT to commemorate its 100 year anniversary and it was brilliant. The FGT did not die, they never planned even to build as many as they did but demand had them building more, now it is the most sought after car on the market that isn't a million dollars. Steve R I owned one for 3 years and it was far from uncomfortable, as a matter of fact it easily could have been a DD. I wish I never sold mine.
07-15-2014, 07:58 AM
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Ford built the FGT to commemorate its 100 year anniversary and it was brilliant. The FGT did not die, they never planned even to build as many as they did but demand had them building more, now it is the most sought after car on the market that isn't a million dollars. Steve R I owned one for 3 years and it was far from uncomfortable, as a matter of fact it easily could have been a DD. I wish I never sold mine.
07-15-2014, 08:10 AM
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The most interesting part of the OP's posted article is the last two paragraphs not shown.
"GM recently trademarked the Zora name for potential use on automobiles. What if GM made a mid-engined supercar based on the Corvette and named it the Zora? Zora Arkus-Duntov is the godfather of the performance Corvette, and he chased several models of mid-engined cars. What name would be better for a mid-engine Corvette?
I know moving the engine from the front to the rear in a Corvette is a sin, but with the Zora name, Chevy wouldn’t need to soil the Corvette or Stingray names with this mid-engine monstrosity. Instead, it could*use the Zora badge to create an all-new era of small-block world domination. No longer would the Corvette name represent a*really fast car for a cheap price. Rather, it*could turn into a true world-renowned performance icon once again.
Let’s show those Italians what we are really made of, and beat them at their own game."
How much further can they go with C5-C7 platform and with no indication that a C7 ZR1 is in the works. It seems to me that the above approach could begin to push the Corvette, or a name (Zora?) under its banner, in a new direction, cautiously.
Being 70, I love what my C7 represents with its developed heritage over the generations. I just hope this could be a new area to explore. And the C8 would be left to continue having refinements with the Corvette nameplate.
What better way for the current Corvette Team Leadership to leave an everlasting mark near the end of their already successful careers. This could be exciting for all of us, both the younger enthusiasts and us that are a little older.
Edit: And that picture is definitely butt ugly IMO.
"GM recently trademarked the Zora name for potential use on automobiles. What if GM made a mid-engined supercar based on the Corvette and named it the Zora? Zora Arkus-Duntov is the godfather of the performance Corvette, and he chased several models of mid-engined cars. What name would be better for a mid-engine Corvette?
I know moving the engine from the front to the rear in a Corvette is a sin, but with the Zora name, Chevy wouldn’t need to soil the Corvette or Stingray names with this mid-engine monstrosity. Instead, it could*use the Zora badge to create an all-new era of small-block world domination. No longer would the Corvette name represent a*really fast car for a cheap price. Rather, it*could turn into a true world-renowned performance icon once again.
Let’s show those Italians what we are really made of, and beat them at their own game."
How much further can they go with C5-C7 platform and with no indication that a C7 ZR1 is in the works. It seems to me that the above approach could begin to push the Corvette, or a name (Zora?) under its banner, in a new direction, cautiously.
Being 70, I love what my C7 represents with its developed heritage over the generations. I just hope this could be a new area to explore. And the C8 would be left to continue having refinements with the Corvette nameplate.
What better way for the current Corvette Team Leadership to leave an everlasting mark near the end of their already successful careers. This could be exciting for all of us, both the younger enthusiasts and us that are a little older.
Edit: And that picture is definitely butt ugly IMO.
Last edited by CRABBYJ; 07-15-2014 at 08:13 AM.
07-15-2014, 09:09 AM
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Ford built the FGT to commemorate its 100 year anniversary and it was brilliant. The FGT did not die, they never planned even to build as many as they did but demand had them building more, now it is the most sought after car on the market that isn't a million dollars. Steve R I owned one for 3 years and it was far from uncomfortable, as a matter of fact it easily could have been a DD. I wish I never sold mine.
Pot, meet kettle.