Despite widespread speculation that the hybridized Corvette ZR1 would bear the name Zora, GM went with Corvette ZR1X instead. Now, Chevrolet is explaining why.

Instead, Chevy has gone with the rather uninspiring ZR1X, a name that sounds more like something a Japanese manufacturer would slap on a performance bike. It’s a missed opportunity, especially considering the Zora name would have been a perfect tribute to Zora Arkus-Duntov, the man often hailed as the father of the mid-engine Corvette.

Zora Seemed Like The Perfect Name. Zora Arkus-Duntov was no ordinary engineer. He turned the Corvette into a true sports car, and although he was several decades ahead of his time