Comment From Corvette Engineer

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 8, 2026 | 12:41 PM

Walter Raulerson

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,137

Likes: 675

Comment From Corvette Engineer

One of the designers or engineers of the C8 said that the Grand Sport is the last incarnation of the C8. What happened to the hallowed ZORA?

Apr 8, 2026 | 12:57 PM

heinen81

Cruising

Joined: Jan 2025

Posts: 14

Likes: 21

Would be false unless you can cite the source? They are held pretty tight to CDA's and I wouldn't imagine anyone on that level would disclose that publicly.

Apr 8, 2026 | 01:22 PM

Walter Raulerson

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,137

Likes: 675

Sorry should have said in an interview with THE GAS podcast JOSH HOLDER Corvette Chief Engineer confirmed that the 2027 Grand Sport will be the last model. He stated as far as a a model line up the Grand Sport will round out the 8th generation C8.
In other news the C8 is expected to continue for 3-4 more years with a potential 2028 model year finish

Apr 8, 2026 | 01:27 PM

DWS44

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 2,738

Likes: 1,059

From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)

2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Is it possible that the ZR1X is the ZORA, just with a name that fit their planned model naming scheme moving forward?

Apr 8, 2026 | 01:32 PM

DucMan 888

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 215

Likes: 80

From: Woodstock, IL

St. Jude Donor '15

I believe the ZR1X is, or at least as far as the C8 is concerned.
Chevy Just Gave the C8 Corvette Its Final Big Twist With the New Grand Sport

Apr 8, 2026 | 03:07 PM

Ltngdrvr

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2022

Posts: 1,536

Likes: 1,235

The rumored "ZORA" model was never something Chevrolet or GM put forth, all of those rumors were only from fan boys.

And, according to rumor, the 2030 model year will be the transition from C8 to C9.

Apr 8, 2026 | 03:34 PM

RedZed51

Racer

Joined: Jan 2026

Posts: 304

Likes: 242

From: Atlanta

I'm sure we'll get some kind of special edition 75th Anniversary model in 2028.

Apr 8, 2026 | 03:37 PM

mittens

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 4,391

Likes: 948

From: Huntsville Alabama

zora was just rumor mill for mid engine big power all the stuff... ZR1X is that. and its not called the Zora ha.

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Michael S. Palmer

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Joe Kucinski

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Joe Kucinski

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Joe Kucinski

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Joe Kucinski

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Verdad Gallardo

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

Brett Foote

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Pouria Savadkouei

Apr 8, 2026 | 04:07 PM

ClothSeats

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2019

Posts: 2,520

Likes: 1,170

From: Northern Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter Raulerson

I heard the same podcast and can confirm what you said. Josh Holder also mentioned that the LS6 will have active cylinder management in that same podcast.

Apr 8, 2026 | 04:24 PM

#10

449er

CF Community Team

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 14,206

Likes: 7,473

From: Pittsburgh

2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedZed51

I'm sure we'll get some kind of special edition 75th Anniversary model in 2028.

Chevy just loves another sticker kit

Apr 8, 2026 | 06:02 PM

#11

SEVNT6

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 8,052

Likes: 3,345

From: Omaha NE

2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Josh Holder...

https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2026...rvette-lineup/

Apr 8, 2026 | 07:06 PM

#12

gliot1

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 4,770

Likes: 2,515

From: Buckeye, AZ

St. Jude Donor '12-'13

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWS44

Is it possible that the ZR1X is the ZORA, just with a name that fit their planned model naming scheme moving forward?

From information I have read, yes ZR1X is Zora....Zora was the engineering project name.

Apr 8, 2026 | 07:30 PM

#13

BuckySti

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2025

Posts: 811

Likes: 613

From: Bucks County, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter Raulerson

In other news the C8 is expected to continue for 3-4 more years with a potential 2028 model year finish

Being we’re about to start the 2027 model year, 3 years puts us at 2030.

Apr 8, 2026 | 07:53 PM

#14

Bob Paris

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 4,408

Likes: 3,485

From: Granada Hills CA

[QUOTE=Ltngdrvr;1609565088]The rumored "ZORA" model was never something Chevrolet or GM put forth, all of those rumors were only from fan boys.

I recall reading that GM trademarked the name "Zora" so it is more than a rumor regardless of whether they actually decide to market it or not.

Apr 8, 2026 | 08:40 PM

#15

OLD_GOAT

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 2,084

Likes: 1,163

From: Pasadena Texas

They're going to manufacture a high 7 second car and call it the ZORA 7. Insurance will be a cool million a year. I mean, hell, if you're going to go big, then go BIG!

Apr 9, 2026 | 05:07 AM

#16

449er

CF Community Team

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 14,206

Likes: 7,473

From: Pittsburgh

2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

I don't think that the engineers can do a whole lot more with the C8 platform, we have our first flat plane crank engine, all-wheel drive, & a model with 1,250 hp

Apr 9, 2026 | 08:51 AM

#17

Orion2011

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 1,201

Likes: 322

From: Shelbyville Kentucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWS44

Is it possible that the ZR1X is the ZORA, just with a name that fit their planned model naming scheme moving forward?

This!

Apr 9, 2026 | 09:48 AM

#18

Rush91

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2019

Posts: 2,578

Likes: 568

From: Carterville Il

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter Raulerson

One of the designers or engineers of the C8 said that the Grand Sport is the last incarnation of the C8. What happened to the hallowed ZORA?

Hmmmmmmmm, what happened to the standard, " We at GM don't comment on future products"...............

Quote:

Originally Posted by 449er

I don't think that the engineers can do a whole lot more with the C8 platform, we have our first flat plane crank engine, all-wheel drive, & a model with 1,250 hp

My thoughts as well.........But these guys and gals working on the C8 are very talented.

We still could have a light weight version of the C8........[ Highly doubt it ] But a light weight, fix roof coupe??
They could throw another electric motor on the front axle of the ZR1X.........
Use the hybrid system from the Eray and now GSX, and give that to the Z06..........

Apr 9, 2026 | 10:17 AM

#19

Vetteman Jack

Administrator

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 368,638

Likes: 24,868

From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

MO Events Coordinator

St. Jude Co-Organizer

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

NCM Sinkhole Donor

CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by 449er

I don't think that the engineers can do a whole lot more with the C8 platform, we have our first flat plane crank engine, all-wheel drive, & a model with 1,250 hp

Precisely and that’s a pretty good list of accomplishments for a Corvette generation.