Spy photographers have caught what looks to be the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in full flight at Germany's formidable Nurburging Nordschleife.

The soon-to-be-king of the Corvette castle is decked out in camouflage but that can't hide all of the muscle car's features.

For starters there's that gigantic wing hanging off the back which looks as big the one on the Corvette CR.7 GT Le Mans class race car but more stylised, and a stark comparison to small lip-like rear spoiler on the current Corvette Z06.

We've seen this prototype ZR-1 out testing with a smaller wing, too, so perhaps this maxi version is being developed as part of a performance package.

Another big difference, easily seen between this test mule ZR1, the current Corvette Z06, and the previous ZR1 is the front aero treatment. The prototype boasts a bumper with four openings – two enormous air intakes flanking an upper and lower grille. The current Corvette features a single-piece grille.

Those headlights remain the same as the current Corvette's, as do the vents cut into the back of the front guards (behind the wheel arches) and above the rear ones.

The taped-up bonnet bulge is also carried over, and under it is likely to be an even angrier version of the supercharged 485kW/881Nm 6.2-litre V8 found in the current Z06.

Shifting gears could be the new GM-Ford developed 10-speed automatic transmission.

It's believed Chevrolet will release the ZR1 as a last high-end hurrah to the C7 (seventh generation) Corvette. The next-gen 2019 Corvette is expected to be revealed at next year's Detroit motor show.

Chevrolet, like many car manufacturers, has a history of taking its Corvettes to the Nurburging Nordschleife which has become a benchmark for performance testing. In 2011, the 2012 Corvette ZR1 broke the production car lap record with a time of 7:19.63.

In recent times Holden spokespeople have reassured enthusiasts that while the company is ending local production a high-performance vehicle will join the brand's Aussie line-up. Whether this is a Corvette or Camaro, Holden won't say, confirming only that it will be a V8-powered sports car.

Should Holden bring the Corvette to Australia? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.