Zora Present On C8?

[John]

A portrait of Zora. Hmm. Good question raised separately by TtiME, and here’s a start to an answer thanks to CorvetteBlogger.

Corvette Team Gives Nod to Zora Arkus-Duntov with Easter Egg Profile Graphics
By Keith Cornett: April 12, 2019


After last night’s appearance of the C8 Corvette Prototype in New York City, enthusiasts have been busy going over the details and seeing if there is anything new to be learned.

The C8 Corvette that was driven on the streets in New York City looked very similar to the cars at the Nurburgring test back in September 2018. The pointed nose, the front chin splitter, and a front grill insert all look the same as the cars that tested on the ‘Ring, and those features haven’t been seen since. Instead, the cars running around today have padding that resembles fish lips to disguise the nose, and covers that hide any of the grill details.

But there is one new addition on the C8 Corvette that was in NYC that is new to us and that’s this profile photo of Corvette’s first Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. This sticker is on the door part of the side intake scoop and we can’t help but wonder if that’s a visual reference for locating the door opener. But as it’s so close to the date graphic showing 07.18.19, it could just be the Corvette Team paying homage to Zora who always wanted to make a mid-engine Corvette.

And as I am reviewing several other images, I see another Zora sticker on the passenger side door mirror.



The Corvette Team has had Zora on their minds since the beginning of the C8 project. Like Zora’s CERV prototypes (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle), they have referred to the C8 as ZERV. We also know that GM has trademarked “ZORA” for use as a vehicle name in multiple countries around the world and it’s been speculated that the highest performance C8 will be named after him.


We think it would be really cool if somehow all C8 models could somehow offer a nod to the 1st Corvette Chief Engineer in a discrete yet respectable way. Our friend Justin who pointed out the Zora sticker reminded us of how cool it was for Chevrolet to show off Corvette Racing’s mascot Jake when he first appeared on the 2009 Corvette ZR1 air intake. How about a center console badge with the profile and the saying “Zora is my co-pilot”


Now that we’ve seen more than one sticker, we wonder if there will be more to be found on other C8 ME Prototypes out in the wild. Do you like playing the game “Where’s Waldo?” How about a new game called “Where’s Zora?”

*Thanks Justin!

https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2019...file-graphics/

[AbqVic]

The stickers didn’t get there by accident, so they must mean something...

[TtiME]

A portrait of Zora. Hmm. Good question raised separately by TtiME, and here’s a start to an answer thanks to CorvetteBlogger.



https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2019...file-graphics/

I thought you’d like that John!! I definitely think it gets incorporated somehow, maybe not until the high end model. Initially I believed the C8 would be called Zora. As in Corvette Zora. In the same way they used stingray for the C7.

[dolfanlon]

Class Act honoring Zora!!!

[John]

Thanks TtiME. I really like CorvetteBlogger’s article. And perhaps just like the C7 having one tiny C& V emblem half-hidden in each head light, maybe that is where we see a small Zora tribute emblem.

With as speculated, the top model later being called Zora. One more thing we will learn about down the road.

[Fasttoys]

I like my picture better that would have been a cool sticker

[Sigmon]

Thanks TtiME. I really like CorvetteBlogger’s article. And perhaps just like the C7 having one tiny C& V emblem half-hidden in each head light, maybe that is where we see a small Zora tribute emblem.

With as speculated, the top model later being called Zora. One more thing we will learn about down the road.

that would be cool. I sure do hope there is some subtle nod to him even on the base model.

[Shrike6]

If they don’t, it will be a **** shame. He was responsible for Corvette being the sports car it is. And the ME was something he championed for years.. This is his baby.

[electroVette]

that would be cool. I sure do hope there is some subtle nod to him even on the base model.

There's a Zora button the steering wheel. Don't ask me what it does, maybe it energizes the Duntov Capacitor?

[John]

Zora DCT speed adjustment? Hopefully just the BMW’s DCT (which we learned about from Fasttoys), there is an adjustment for its “engagement aggressiveness” level for the ME’s DCT.

[JustOneMore]

Reminds me of the subtle flags that kept showing up on our Stingray in 2013, on the headlight covers, and the large amount on the rear glass we didn't notice for several weeks.

[Fasttoys]

Zora DCT speed adjustment? Hopefully just the BMW’s DCT (which we learned about from Fasttoys), there is an adjustment for its “engagement aggressiveness” level for the ME’s DCT.

BMW M cars with a DCT have 3 ways to adjust the DCT shifts, steering, traction control, and suspension. The button on the steering wheel in an M car is the M button. It allows the driver to hit it and instantly go into their saved performance mode. Example, if on the track or driving aggressively on a windy road you push the button and all your saved parameters change at an instant. The other options are next to the DCT lever, you have a few buttons that allow you to move the mode up or down on or off, this is all for the DCT shifts & suspension. The final option is using I-drive to load all your options on the Nav screen and store them to the M button. I have owned many DCT/PDK sports cars and BMW has the most versatile versions. Porsche has options like Sport Chrono Package & PASM = Porsche Active Suspension Management. It's not as flexible as BMW M cars. Picture of my M3 V8 DCT & M5 V8 TT. Many videos on YouTube how it operates even from Porsche and BMW. I hope the C8 system is as flexible as BMW. It will allow the manual-trans die-hards more fun to play with the performance parameters and dial in the car better.

[electroVette]

Thanks Fasttoys, very interesting info on the "M" button. Sounds like just the sort of BMW feature GM would copy and improve!

[jagamajajaran]

"Where's Zora?" Well, besides the two decals that have already been pointed out, he's also on both passenger wheel center caps, the front windshield (driver's side), and the passenger side near the headlight. By the way, what is the hole in the headlight for?

[John]

Thanks Jag. We missed you when you went “out of country.”