Update: The mighty 755-hp Corvette ZR1 has been officially unveiled; head to our debut story for photos and full info.

What It Is: Aerial-photo confirmation that our speculation concerning the last great C7 Corvette is legit. Building on 1990–1995 King of the Hill and 2009–2013 Blue Devil heritage, the 2019 ZR1 will be the ultimate front-engined Corvette and a sure collector’s item. Our images captured at GM’s Milford, Michigan, proving ground show a hotted-up Stingray in the final phase of development. Close inspection reveals blue-painted opposed-piston brake calipers, gaping front-fascia intercooler air intakes, and attachment locations for an adjustable(?) rear airfoil.

Why It Matters: With the Dodge Viper’s demise imminent, the Corvette soon will be one of only two U.S.-built sports car. (Don't forget the Ohio-built Acura NSX; the Ford GT will be assembled in Canada by Multimatic.) The new ZR1 will toast seven generations of classic American V-8 performance and value. Anyone with $100K burning a hole in their wallet would be wise to consider this Vette before they’re embarrassed by one at their local track-day event.

View Photos CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE

Platform: The ZR1 will use the aluminum-spaceframe, composite-body, two-seat architecture introduced for the 2014 model year and nurtured since then with various power and handling improvements.

Powertrain: We expect the new ZR1 to join the 700-hp club with an aggressively supercharged and intercooled LT4 small-block. There’s sufficient room inside this fifth-generation pushrod V-8 to stretch displacement past the current 6.2 liters in order to achieve sufficient output. While 750 horsepower has a nice ring to it, torque management may be necessary in the lower gears to circumvent rear-tire meltdown and to safeguard the Tremec seven-speed transaxle we expect to serve in this beast—with GM’s 10-speed automatic a possible option. Members of the sacred order of the clutch should be advised that this likely will be the last hot Corvette with three pedals, as the 2019 C8 Zora due in 18 months or so is expected to be automatic-only.

Competition: Acura NSX, Audi R8 V10, Jaguar F-type SVR, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo, your mistress in the Hamptons.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The new ZR1 will bow in production form this coming January at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The asking price for this most-special, low-volume Corvette is certain to crest six figures—remember, the previous C6 ZR1 cost about $110,000.

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