C8 Corvette ZR1 Prototypes Caught High-Altitude Testing in Colorado

These prototypes certainly look and sound like they could be C8 Corvette ZR1 models, even if we can’t hear any turbo noise.

The fact that the C8 Corvette ZR1 is in development has long been one of the worst-kept secrets in the automotive industry, right behind the years of rumors surrounding the Z06 and E-Ray versions of the mid-engine sports car. For some time now, we’ve been berated with rumors regarding the C8 Corvette ZR1 and what will power it, what it will look like, and when we might expect to see it debut. In the meantime, GM continues to test prototypes of the soon-to-be range topping C8, this time, in the thin mountain air, as three new prototypes were just spied by the folks behind the YouTube channel, Frim Autos.

The three C8 Corvette ZR1 prototypes were joined by a new Z06 in Golden, Colorado, presumably doing some high-altitude testing. All three of the cars are sporting quad-tip, center-mounted exhaust tips, while one of the prototypes is wearing a high wing. In the video, we can hear all of the cars driving out of a hotel parking lot – none of them with any sort of gusto – which somewhat conceals the sounds they might be making.

Regardless, it’s pretty clear from what we can hear that these vehicles aren’t powered by GM’s LT2 V8 – but rather, they’re emitting the more pleasing notes of the LT6 that powers the Z06. The cars sound a bit muffled compared to the Z06, however, though that could be by design. Rumors to this point suggest that the new ZR1 will be powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the Z06’s naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter LT6 V8, which would seemingly align perfectly with what we’re hearing here – though at low rpm, there are no discernible turbo noises being generated.

Those prior reports suggest that the new ZR1 will pump out an impressive 850 horsepower, though others have suggested that the car may simply add the E-Ray’s electric motor to the LT6 for a more potent combination. Personally, we’d learn toward the former, as the E-Ray makes a lot more sense as the sole electrified Corvette in the lineup, at least until the long-rumored Zora takes the ZR1’s crown atop the lineup when it debuts with a rumored 1,000 horsepower twin turbo, hybrid V8

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