We can't say we're surprised by this new discovery made by The Drive regarding the upcoming Chevrolet C8 Corvette, but we're also thrilled it's been done. On December 12, 2018, General Motors filed the name "Zora" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for use on "motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles." The last time the automaker worked to secure this nameplate was back in the summer of 2014, so it appears it was time to re-file.

Zora, of course, comes from the name Zora Arkus-Duntov, the brilliant former GM engineer who came up with the idea of stuffing a V8 into the engine bay of the original C1 Corvette back in the mid-1950s.

He finally retired from GM in 1975 but remained heavily involved with the Corvette community. He died in 1996. But why is GM apparently interested in using the Zora name this time around as opposed to previous Corvette generations? Because it was Arkus-Duntov who first pushed, quite vocally, for a mid-engine setup beginning back in the 1960s.

As an engineer, he realized the Corvette's best potential could only be realized once the engine was placed behind the occupants instead of in front of them. He's finally getting his wish 23 years after his passing. It only makes sense for GM to honor him with a variant of the C8 bearing his name.

But the big question is whether this will be a special edition package or a new variant entirely? An earlier report claimed the C8, in top trim, will be powered by a twin-turbo V8 paired to a dual-clutch gearbox (read: no manual option). If so, could the Zora name be reserved for it?

It would be quite fitting. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit longer for answers due to the C8's six-month launch delay, which was reportedly due to recently discovered electrical issues.