Fresh spy photos reveal that engineers for the Chevrolet Corvette are making the best of adverse traction and temperature conditions to complete their tests of the imminent C7 ZR1 and its successor, the mid-engined C8 Zora that we expect will break cover sometime next year.
Seeing both generations in the same shot should convince hard-core doubters that Chevrolet is serious about sliding the cabin forward to clear space in the middle of the Corvette for the variety of engines planned for the near future.
Peeking through the camo reveals slotted brake rotors instead of crack-prone cross-drilled designs. The rear view shows a low-mounted transversely oriented muffler, leaving ample trunk space behind and above the engine and transaxle. Also, there?s no evidence here that Chevy has any intention of satisfying some die-hard Corvette fans by returning to round taillamps.
Meanwhile, preparations are proceeding at the Corvette?s Bowling Green, Kentucky, manufacturing plant. Recent investments encompass moving aluminum spaceframe manufacturing in-house ($52 million), relocation and expansion of the Performance Build Center engine facility ($47.5 million), a new paint shop ($439 million), plus $290 million for new assembly technologies and processes and the construction of a solar array capable of generating 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually.

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