There’s never any shortage C8 Corvette speculation. After all, the release of the mid-engine Corvette brought on plenty of discussion of what the future might hold. With Chevrolet’s massive departure from the front-engine Corvette tradition, there were all sorts of leaks and rumors getting thrown around. One of which we now know is true is that the C8 Z06 Corvette would use a flat-plane crank V8 engine like a Ferrari. Now, it’s looking like one of the more insane rumors may actually have some merit.

Chevrolet’s electrified Corvette bombshell is consistent with a rumor about the C8 Corvette ZR1

Let’s take a quick trip back to November 2019. MotorTrend released an article stating that a “high-placed” source within GM fed them some information about the upcoming C8 Corvette ZR1. MotorTrend’s source stated that it was to be an all-wheel drive hybrid with a twin-turbo version of the flat-plane crank V8 found in the Z06 for a total power output of 900 horsepower.

At the time, it sounded absolutely outlandish. This same source told MotorTrend that the Z06 would have a twin-turbo flat-plane V8, which we now know it does not. So, up to this point, it’s easy to see how one might dismiss the 900 horsepower hybrid rumors.

However, that all changed this morning. Chevrolet dropped an absolute mind-blowing reveal across its social media platforms, confirming that the electrified Corvette is coming as soon as next year.

The video posted on Chevy’s Youtube channel shows a beautiful slow-motion shot of a C8 Corvette’s wheels gracefully slinging snow up as they fight for traction. This wouldn’t be something worth celebrating if not for one small note; it was the front wheels. Panning out, the video shows the rear wheels then joining in the fun, which points toward the front wheels being driven by an electric motor (or motors) with the rear wheels retaining their fossil fuel-fed power.

The video, unfortunately, doesn’t give us much else. Though there is a faint engine noise as the Vette rips around a snowy wonderland, the overlaid music makes it a bit hard to tell whether it’s the flat-plane V8 from the Z06 or not.

Additionally, the video description only states that an electrified version will soon be available and that a fully-electric Corvette is coming eventually.

Could this be the fabled 900 horsepower ZR1?

It certainly looks like the car in Chevrolet’s videos could be the rumored hybrid ZR1. There’s certainly no arguing that it’s all-wheel drive. Of course, Chevy’s use of the word “electrified” and clarification that a fully electric version will also be available later on confirms that it’s also a hybrid. So far, then, MotorTrend’s inside source is checking out.

That, of course, leads us to the other aspects of this rumor. As of now, there’s no way to confirm that this Corvette is utilizing the flat-plane crank V8 found in the Z06. Additionally, the absence of turbos on the Z06, despite the MotorTrend rumor, also seems to suggest that this hybrid Corvette will likely not have them either. However, given the quick rise and fall of the DOHC twin-turbo V8 in the Cadillac CT6-V, it wouldn’t be that surprising if Chevrolet experimented with a twin-turbo setup sometime during the flat-plane V8’s development.

Finally, there’s certainly no answer as to whether or not it has 900 horsepower. If it does, though, it’s sure to be a market milestone. A mid-engine Corvette that carries similar specs to that of the Porsche 918 Spyder for what will likely be about a quarter of the cost would be truly remarkable.

So, as usual with these types of rumors, all the world can do is wait impatiently. Who knows? They might need to buy a Ferrari to get things where they want them again. Keep scrolling to read more about the Ferrari influence on the Corvette Z06’s flat-plane V8!