There have been countless rumors about the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, but one of the most persistent has been speculation that will be called the Zora.
This is understandable as it would seem to be a fitting tribute to Zora Arkus-Duntov who is known as the “Father of the Corvette.” Zora is also credited with thinking about a mid-engine Corvette all the way back in 1957.
Check Out: Exclusive images of the 2020 Corvette C8’s interior
The C8 is the realization of Zora’s dream and the spiritual successor to previous mid-engine prototypes like the Chevrolet CERV II which sold for $1.1 million in 2013. While that model was a one-off, the C8 will represent a major step in the evolution of the Corvette.
It’s a Stingray after all
While Zora’s influence is undeniable, so is the fact that the 2020 Corvette will be known as the Stingray. As you can see in our exclusive shots, barring some huge last minute change, buyers can expect to see the familiar Stingray name featured on a column between the front seats.
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While the news might seem like a slight to Zora, fans should remember the engineer played in an important role in the development of the C2 Sting Ray and C3 Stingray. He was also responsible for transforming the original Corvette into a proper sports car by pushing for the installation of a V8 engine and a manual transmission.
Some fans will probably be saddened by news the C8 won’t be called the Zora, but it’s possible the company could evoke his in other ways. One possibility is for a so-called Zora button.
That’s not official at this point, but our exclusive interior pictures of the C8 reveal a mysterious “Z” button on the left side of the steering wheel. It presumably operates in a similar fashion to BMW’s M button.
Also Read: Our artist’s impressions of the 2020 Corvette C8
However, there’s no word on what the Z is supposed to stand for. Zora is one possibility, but the Corvette lineup also has plenty of other Z’s including the Z06, ZR1 and Z51 performance package.
We should learn more about the C8 in the coming months, but there’s no doubt the model is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated Corvettes in history.
