296 VS

I think you said it yourself. You are getting a 296 Speciale. No one who is able to get the 296 Speciale will turn it down to buy a ZR1. So I am not sure which game it has won if no one is playing

 

i think the Corvettes have a better standing in EU as they have in US. supercar wise...

i loved my C6 Z06. but i prefer driving a E36M3 chassis. (both without upgrades)
i need to try a C8 Z06. engine wise. But i guess you can´t compare it (not even close) with a 992 GT or even RS chassis and gearbox.
lets see what the C8 ZR1 can do.



any news on the 296 speciale damping / standard Multimatic dampers incl. lift possible?



please find attached the german price list.
green is mandatory spec in germany austria and i guess switzerland also - maybe for whole EU? with 26.835,- € net price.

 

I've been looking around for a new car. Tried the 750S, C8 Z06, and my previously owned 991.2 GT3 each for a couple of days. I've never owned or cared about American cars, but in all honesty I'd take the Z06 over the other 2, even if all of them cost the same... If only the Vette didn't look so ugly.

Still wouldn't take it over any of the newer Ferraris though.

 

this, if two cars have identical performance and one is significantly cheaper yet people still buy the more expensive one then it shows that they aren't buying for the performance.

 

The Maserati MC20 Nettuno engine is 3 Liters and makes 621HP so that is 207HP per Liter,apparently this engine has a combustion chamber that was adapted from Formula 1 Technology.

 

Weil I am debating VS and ordered ZR1.
When I bought the Viper people said the same thing on RL Carrera GT forum, Then 1/2 dozen or more incl an owner of a Porsche Dealer named CJ, many here know him bought the Viper and wrote a long thread about it's capability etc. People can and will buy both, forums and threads share a lot of good information - it's a game that plenty come to play. FWIW drove my Viper 3k miles and sold it for almost triple what I paid - ZR1 is zero work to order and that alone speaks volumes.

 

It most assuredly is a game changer, but not because it’s a competitor to Ferrari (it’s not), but rather because it highlights a radically different path that Ferrari should, and probably could, have gone down. The binary comparison between a boosted/tuned mega flat plane crank ICE V8 and an electrified hybrid diminutive V6 is rather stark. The question is, which car would you rather have, a Ferrari with the functional equivalent of the LT7 power plant, or the current 296? No serious enthusiast thinks the C8 ZR1 is a Ferrari competitor (it does not have the Ferrari heritage, design, or exclusivity), but most honest enthusiasts wish that Ferrari would have put the ZR1 engine in one of their cars.

 

Could you please PM me as the price is 8000 € less than in LUX. Does the base price include the preparation and immatriculation of the car?

 

I don't disagree that I wish my late model mid engine Ferrari's weren't hybrids. But, European manufacturers in particular are held hostage in ways that U.S. manufacturers aren't (yet).

 

ZR1X is the real game changer. Sheesh. I actually would take it over a 296 speciale, I think. They're just different worlds performance wise.

 

Thanks for sharing. Per this file, the PPAC is a mandatory option at 32k EUR but I was told PPAC is included in the base price in the US market? Maybe that info was wrong.

 

Did you see this...the new Zr1X...
Perceived brand value aside (mostly smoke and mirrors) the new zr1X is mind blowing. 1250HP.....

 

Chevrolet is introducing an all-wheel drive Corvette worthy of the storied ZR1 designation: the 2026 Corvette ZR1X. With 1,250 horsepower1 and electrified all-wheel drive, ZR1X is a true American hypercar and the most advanced Corvette ever. With ZR1 and ZR1X, Chevrolet now has the most powerful American performance car duo of any auto manufacturer.
ZR1X features:

• LT7 twin-turbo V8: 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm
• Front-axle motor: 186 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque
• GM-estimated 0-60: Under 2 seconds
• GM-estimated ¼ mile: Under 9 seconds, with trap speed over 150 mph

“From day one, we designed the mid-engine Corvette architecture with ZR1X in mind,” said General Motors senior VP Ken Morris. “This is the most revolutionary platform in Corvette history, supporting the widest range of American sports cars3 and delivering world-class performance at every level.”

Otherworldly power, impressive traction
America’s hypercar starts with the ZR1’s LT7 V8, generating more power than any other V8 produced by an American auto manufacturer — 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. With a forged flat-plane crankshaft, finger-follower valvetrain, and dry-sump lubrication, this hand-built 5.5-liter Gemini small-block V8 was developed alongside the naturally aspirated flat-plane crankshaft engines powering the Corvette Z06 and Z06 GT3.R race car. This mighty V8 includes:

• Dual 76-mm turbochargers
• A “maniturbo” exhaust design that combines the manifold and turbocharger housing to get the turbos as close to the exhaust valves as possible, improving throttle response by decreasing time needed to build boost
• Dynamic anti-lag controls that maintain turbo speed when off-throttle in certain situations so boost is available rapidly when throttle is reapplied

Where ZR1 embodies the rear-wheel drive precedent set by prior generations, the Corvette team added all-wheel drive capability for a new take on performance. ZR1X benefits from the foundation set in 2024 by E-Ray, the first-ever AWD Corvette, combining a high-voltage battery pack and electric motor driving the front axle with V8 propulsion turning the rear axle. There is no physical connection between the two power sources on ZR1X, and the electrified propulsion system does not require a plug-in — charging takes place through regenerative efforts from the front drive unit.
ZR1X’s battery pack, located low and centralized within the rigid spine of the chassis, was designed specifically to rapidly cycle between applying bursts of power and charging. This robust pack has been tested at tracks around the world and conquered Corvette’s 24-hour track durability test. While the battery capacity is 1.9 kWh like E-Ray, the usable energy has grown to provide greater lapping capability. This improvement raises the peak operating voltage, which increases the power output from the front drive unit.
The compact electric motor on the front axle is capable of 186 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque on demand. While retaining the same shape and size of the E-Ray front drive unit, the ZR1X unit pairs strengthened internal components and improvements in energy deployment to generate an additional 26 hp and 20 lb-ft of torque. The front axle is engaged and can apply power through 160 mph before disconnecting, directly benefitting ZR1X’s quarter-mile acceleration stats and on-track balance.

Two propulsion systems, one mission

The eAWD chassis controls system designed for E-Ray has undergone a significant upgrade for ZR1X. With the benefit of experience on this electrified AWD architecture, the development team applied knowledge from E-Ray to solutions specifically for the LT7’s character and capability. The result is evident in on-road drivability and on-track performance. ZR1X is constantly monitoring driver inputs and vehicle conditions to blend power at both axles for responsiveness and traction management.

On track, ZR1X utilizes specialized energy strategies designed to maximize electrified output based on track session demands and driver preferences:

• Endurance – Engaging the Charge+ button adjusts the battery’s energy storage strategy for extended lapping and consistent eAWD output for a full tank of fuel
• Qualifying – Optimum power strategy for the ultimate lap time
• Push-to-Pass – Max available power on-demand

PTM Pro, new for 2026 on all Corvettes, was designed with ZR1X in mind. PTM Pro delivers the purest driving experience. While this setting turns off traction and stability control, the following features remain active:

• Regen Brake Torque Vectoring – engineered to recover peak energy without sacrificing agility
• Front Axle Pre-Control – actively manages inside front brake pressure to enable maximum corner-exit traction
• Launch Control – customizable settings enable rapid acceleration from a rest

Ultimate authority on-road and at the track

The ZR1X balances impressive power with robust brakes specifically developed with this car in mind. The J59 braking package, standard on ZR1X and an option on ZR1, is a clean-sheet design intended for superior heat resistance and ultra-responsive braking.

Alcon 10-piston front and 6-piston rear calipers are mated to 16.5-inch front and rear rotors — the largest diameter rotors ever offered on Corvette. The rotors are carbon ceramic, constructed with continuously woven carbon fiber threads.

This is the most resilient production car braking system we’ve tested within GM. And during testing, we saw J59-equipped Corvettes achieve 1.9G of deceleration from 180 to 120 mph.

ZR1X is offered in two chassis configurations that both feature magnetic ride control — adjusting to the vehicle’s mode, driver inputs and the road surface for optimal control. The standard chassis, accompanied by Michelin PS4S tires, makes for a comfortable touring car on-road and a highly capable Corvette at the track. The available ZTK Performance Package incorporates higher spring rates and is firmer. Paired with the grip of Michelin’s Pilot Cup 2R tires, this is the pinnacle of Corvette performance.

Customers can equip the high-downforce Carbon Aero package to a standard chassis ZR1X, adding dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood gurney lip over the front heat extractor and a highly effective rear wing. This package is capable of 1,200 lbs of downforce at top speed and comes standard on ZTK-equipped cars.

The pinnacle of Corvette performance

The 2026 Corvette ZR1X is the ultimate expression of the no-compromise eighth generation platform. It’s an all-day comfortable tourer, a straight-line rocket, and a racetrack weapon, all in one. Like every iconic sports car in the Corvette lineup, ZR1X will be available in coupe or hardtop convertible body style. ZR1X enters the market with Corvette’s fresh interior revealed last month. A new three-screen layout and reimagined console design, real-time vehicle data provided by the built-in Performance App, and new colors and high-quality materials all highlight the 2026 Corvette interior.

Every ZR1X will be proudly built in America at General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky from U.S. and globally sourced parts, with every LT7 engine hand-assembled by the master engine builders at the Bowling Green Performance Build Center. Further details on price and availability will be shared closer to production.

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I don’t know. The ZR1 is a great achievement yet I prefer the hybrid for its advantages over straight turbo charging. The hybrid smooths the torque curve allowing for more predictable and usable performance for a road car. There are other advantages to a smaller engine with a hybrid (lower placement) enabling a more nimble car. I also presume the 296 sounds better than a ZR1 (speculation). The 296 is the best sounding engine I have ever heard in a regular production car that also has turbos.

 

WOW!

 

The number that really floored me was the 0-60 time. < 2 sec.

 

this IS a hyper car.

Setting aside the 'brand' (BS)...how is this car not 3-5x more $$ given the likely MSRP of $2-250k? How is this car not a competitor for Ferrari? Product to product, GM NAILED it.

The X and standard ZR1 gut one of the most important USPs of the hyper car segment...all out performance. Assuming this car dominates on the N'Ring the X will meet or beat the European Hyper cars at their own game. (Minus the emotional appeal of the brand) What effect does this have on the Hyper car segment (let alone super sports cars like the Speciale)

I get it, its a Vette. People love to stereotype Vettes and their owners....what I am observing is that all of that is changing.

When the ZR1X matches or beats hyper cars costing millions, and the interior and exterior (etc) is the same or close to the same quality...the hyper car world pivots. That leaves just 'branding', flexing and ego.

PS before someone bags on Vette quality I would humbly suggest you check you Ferraris paint quality, interior quality...cost to own. And remember, I own a 296 GTS and have a Speciale coming....Ferraris, Macs etc ALL have quality problems. If you don't believe me its because you have never owned one. On 3 of our new Ferraris from the last 10 years there were visible SANDING marks under the paint...

 

I mean, we kind of have the choice with the SF90 vs 296, and both I and the used market chose the latter...

 

In the end if you want a Ferrari, you want a Ferrari, but very very very well done by GM and Corvtette. Very impressive, it's great to see everyone pushing. Wow is exactly right!

 

+1

A Corvette, not matter the trim, HP, or whatever, is not a Ferrari competitor.

No one cross-shops any Corvette against any Ferrari. And if they do, they don't really understand cars, nor appreciate it them.

This isn't a slam on Corvettes, or being punch drunk on Maranello Kool-Aid Grappa. It's just facts.

Both marques are great, but they tailor themselves and market to different clienteles and use cases.

A Rolex, as great as it might be, will never compete with a Patek, to say nothing of a grand complication like a 6102P.

 

that is all the branding nonsense I was referring to. product to product, remove the ego and the flex factor...just compare product to product.

I have owned nearly 20 Ferraris, have a 296 GTS and a Speciale incoming...I am cross shopping in the sense that I am checking my sanity about paying $500k plus for the Ferrari vs $250k for the vette. If the Vette matches or beats the Ferrari on all measures except the brand perception, that is a win for Corvette. The Zr1X will be quicker by all measures (according to the internet) than ALL other hyper cars. Explain that?!.... I truly believe the ZR1, and ZR1X have changed the super sports car, and hyper car game.

For me, paying for a brand for the sake of how others will perceive me is not interesting. i am not looking for validation or recognition.

 

No one chooses a Vette over a Ferarri? If I can get a ZR1-X I will buy it instead of the Speciale.

 

No one makes such a statement unless they don’t understand people.

 

Started this ZR1 in the XX threaded here - got minimal ground but for nonsense as we see here
Let people speak for themselves - have watches above the price of ZR1 - no one cares, all tell the same time.
Have over dozen cars and at some point, out of space - I think someone would be nuts not to at least consider owning the ZR1.
I don't buy cars to look cool or feel cool - being a car guy the only thing "car guys" care about is how it feels to drive / wash - repeat.

Go back a very short time - recall Mclaren opened in several Ferrari dealerships - Ferrari salespeople actually had to work vs play politics to sell a car. Fast forward Mclaren I believe is in all stand alone dealerships today. In fact my local Ferrari dealer was to be a Mclaren and Ferrari got wind and offered their franchise. Long story short - don't kid yourself - we all work hard to buy these things, losing 150k on a 296 is damn near the price of a ZR1.

Ask someone today who lost their 150k on 296 - If they could do it all again and give 50k to own a ZR1. 100% guarantee each one would give the 50k and own the ZR1. 296 is an entry level Ferrari - people losing at the entry level often do not return - there are guys here I know posting who will not return after their 296 loss - hell I may be one of them! Mclaren was a wake up call to Ferrari - that's the only reason the Speciale is such a great car - it was a response to Mac.
FWIW ZR1X is 1250 HP - #2 in line behind the owner of the dealer

 

the big unknown is still....what is the price of the Speciale?