- Chevrolet showed off its 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype at the Daytona International Speedway.
- It was built in collaboration with Pratt & Miller, Riley, Coyote and Dallara and will race in the Grand-Am series.
- Some parts of the prototype are clearly Corvette-influenced — it features four rounded taillights, a split rear window and the unmistakable checkered-flag logo.
DAYTONA, Florida — Although it wasn't the unveiling of the long-anticipated C7 Corvette, Chevrolet did make a newsworthy Corvette move this week — it unwrapped the 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype.
Chevrolet, Pratt & Miller, Riley, Coyote and Dallara all worked together to create this prototype, which will race in the Grand-Am series. Although it isn't directly related to the production Corvette, the Chevy sports car clearly influenced the racing prototype with its similar hood design, checkered-flag logo, split rear window, headlights and the familiar round taillights.
Four teams have announced that they will be running the new 2012 Corvette Daytona — Spirit of Daytona Racing, SunTrust Racing, GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing and Action Express Racing. Chevrolet hasn't detailed what kind of power plant sits under the rear split window, but it will likely be the same 500-horse 5.0-liter V8 that it ran in last year's series.
The prototype made a test run November 16 at the Daytona International Speedway, and will make its racing debut at the Grand-Am Road Racing Series Rolex 24 on January 26-29 in Daytona.
Inside Line says: A little Corvette news to tide enthusiasts over until the seventh-generation Corvette breaks cover.
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expertgm says:
05:10 PM, 01/20/2012
@gixxer1397
I laugh at you cause you should really do some homework.
One the 2013 gt 500 has less than 20 more horsepower than the zr1. The gt500 torque rating is less than 4 ft-lb than the zr1.
Two the gt 500 weighs more than the zr1.
Three the gt 500 has the same supercharger as the zr1.
It might beat it in a drag race maybe a car length but with gt500 inferior suspension it would loose on the road track.
If the gt500 is built like every mustang you wont be able to put all that horsepower on the ground.
gixxer1397 says:
07:09 AM, 11/21/2011
I mean why. Proof reading is not my thing. LOL
gixxer1397 says:
07:07 AM, 11/21/2011
@sranger and @mbukukanyau,
Thanks for the "education" but you both clearly missed my point. Again it may be my fault for not clearly getting my point accross because of my dislike of @zr1man . I understand the GT500 is not in the same class as the ZR1 or the Z06 for that matter. That is way i said " If the ZR1 doesn't blow it away by a long ways than it is a big loss for GM, as the ZR1 is a "SUPER HALO CAR" with that $120K+ MSRP. Remember the GT500 IS JUST A MUSTANG and not a "Vette".
sranger says:
01:46 PM, 11/19/2011
@stupidlefty71
Are you talking about the high tech carbon fiber transversely mounted leif spring that is on one of the fastest production sports cars to ever lap the Nuremberg ring? If so then yes....
Also, I highly doubt the GT-R will be worth more than a ZR1 in ten years.
The GT-R is a great car, but I could never get past the ugly styling on the thing....
sranger says:
01:40 PM, 11/19/2011
@gixxer1397
You really did just embarrass yourself with that completely wrong post....
scott230 says:
07:32 AM, 11/19/2011
Base price is always deceiving. Eventhough BMW offers many features intheir base price you can spend way more if you want. Some of their competition may have lower base prices but once you add on comparable options there is not that much difference. You have to remember that add on options do not really account for much on base price when trading in.(you loose more driving off the lot)i.e. better to buy cars with more options on the base price. Good example is Acura, all their cars are fully loaded so their is less deprecation.
stupidlefty71 says:
02:12 PM, 11/18/2011
Does the Vette still have leaf springs? Does the new GT500 still have a live axle? THey are both still Rear wheel drive, right? Nevermind I'll buy a GT-R, it was at least designed in this century. All 3 are great cars, the Nissan will be worth more in 10 years than both of the others combined. Oh by the way will run better too.
mbukukanyau says:
01:33 PM, 11/18/2011
In case you are wondering what else Motortrend ran at SECA on the same day.. Here the #'s
Lexus LFA: 1:36.39
Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca: 1:41.06
Lotus Evora S: 1:42.49
Porsche Cayman R: 1:41.64
BMW 1M: 1:43.31
Porsche 911 GT3 RS: 1:36.77
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: 1:38.82
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/features/performance/1108_chevrolet_corvette_z06_best_drivers_car_contender/#ixzz1e5x9d4yu
mbukukanyau says:
01:19 PM, 11/18/2011
@gixxer1397 says:
Dude, Education on sports cars 101.
The Corvette is in a completely different league than pony cars. The GT500 will be lucky to outrun the base corvette, let alone the Z06 or the Z06 Carbon.. ZR1 is in a totally different league.
Do not beleive me, see 2011 motortrend laguna seca test hot lap, the Z06 destroyed everything they threw at it, posting race car like 1.34.43 Secs
The Boss is impressive, but man, do not compare it to the Corvette, its not even close.
akitadog says:
12:31 PM, 11/18/2011
Glad to see Chevy reaching higher than its ALMS Corvettes (which are awesome themselves).