Hey ‘Vette fans, here’s the latest video footage of the three ZR1 prototypes–two coupes and a convertible–that have been caught running wild around Michigan. The video comes to us from Indian Autos Blog of all places.

We all know the drill. The ZR1 will slot above the Z06 and will be the last hurrah before the rumored mid-engine supercar “The Emperor” appears sometime in 2019. Recently, there’s been speculation that one of these cars is an “Emperor” mid-engine mule cloaked with C7 bodywork.

But look carefully at this footage–the clearest and closest of the cars to date–and you can peer through the rear-quarter windows into cargo area and see nothing but carpet and shoulder belt anchors. So for now, we’re going with these are simply ZR1 mules, not the holy grail of all secret ‘Vettes.

Just for the record, there’s also been speculation that the C7 will live until 2021 and the “Emperor” might debut as a Cadillac, either as a stand alone model or as a version of the C8. As you can see, there have been multiple narratives cresting on the internet as of late.

We also get a closer inspection of the rear spoilers/wings that these prototypes are running around with. One coupe has a fairly tasteful wing on the back while the other car has a sky scraper air foil big enough to hang your laundry on.

We don’t know how you feel about humongous rear wings, but for street use they’re pretty superfluous. This is the modern era of Corvette though and air flow management has been a big part of the C7 so we get it, but this rear wing encroaches into clown car territory.

We suspect it’s a video game thing. Corvette owners aren’t exactly spring chickens and what better way to introduce the ‘Vette to a new generation of buyers than to showcase a big, winged, au courant Corvette in car racing video games and woo teenagers? We all know the car “bug” starts at an early age and this exposure is crucial these days.

The most interesting tidbit about the C7 based ZR1 report from Indian Autos Blogs is the exact horsepower numbers they’re quoting. So far we’ve heard estimates of “over 700hp,” but no specific numbers. This article draws a line-in-the-sand and proclaims 697hp, up from the current 650hp,top-of-the-line LT4 V8.

We know that GM as re-upped the LT5 trademark and there’s a rumored DOHC engine in the works. More horsepower is mandatory to distinguish a “King of the Hill” model over lesser ‘Vettes, but it’s unclear if the ZR1 engine bay will carry either of these motors or a warmed up LT4.

When will we see the real thing? The 2018 Corvette ZR1 is slated to debut at Detroit Auto Show in January of 2017, and will be (allegedly) the swan song of the current C7 Corvette, followed by the mid-engine C8 Corvette, coming on stream as a 2019 model.

All of this is still pure speculation as no one really know what’s in store the next ‘Vette. Stay tuned to Corvette Online for all updates and Corvette news. In the meantime, let us know below what your thoughts are

Here’s a view with no spoiler. Pic courtesy of AutoGuide