2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: King of the Hill Climbs to New Heights

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was expected to have 850 hp. Instead, we got 1,064 horsepower. This makes the ZR1 not only the most powerful Corvette ever, but the most powerful gas-powered American production car ever, Chevrolet boasted Thursday; if the 375-horsepower 1990 Corvette ZR1 was the King of the Hill, this is the King of Mount Everest.

That power comes from a new LT7 twin-turbo dual overhead cam 5.5-liter V-8 engine. This is a version of the Z06's LT6 670-hp V-8. Chevrolet engineers knew the LT6 and LT7 were related from the start, so they called the duo the Small Block Gemini: the LT6 and LT7 share a flat-plane crank design and have the same block, valve train, direct injection system, and lubrication system. However, the LT7 is equipped with two 76mm turbochargers that apply up to 20psi of boost to the engine for a total output of 1,064 hp at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque of 828 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm, and at least 800 lb-ft at 3,000-6,500 rpm. improvement.

Adding a turbo also required changes. The block was additionally machined, the intake and exhaust ports on the head were modified, the combustion chamber was enlarged, the cam profile was changed, port injection was added, the crank train was strengthened with larger rods and pistons, and a seventh stage dry sump was added. The compression ratio also dropped from 12.5:1 to 9.8:1, and the redline dropped from 8,600 rpm to 8,000 rpm. According to Chevrolet, the electronically controlled wastegate reduces turbo lag, especially after starting; at 5.5 liters of displacement, it doesn't need much help from the start. In fact, engineers had to limit the torque on the first two shifts.

The turbo hung off the side of the engine, which Chevrolet says would not have fit under the hood of a front-engine car (which is why the last ZR1's V-8 was not extended outward with a turbo but upward with a supercharger). A total of 15 heat exchangers keep the powertrain from getting too hot, including a new front-mounted intercooler and two large charge air coolers positioned between the turbo and intake manifolds. The manifolds feature a blue texture that Chevrolet associates with the ZR1.

Chevrolet has not yet given many performance figures, noting that some things need to be done with the car not covered in camouflage. However, engineers expect a quarter-mile time of 9.7 seconds at 150 mph and a top speed of over 215 mph. Chevrolet also claims that the car will go from 80 mph to 200 mph in 24.5 seconds, 22% faster than the C7 ZR1.

Soon-to-be retired Corvette chief engineer Tadge Uctor told Motor Authority that the ZR1 set a 7-minute time at the Nürburgring. Whether Chevrolet can set an official time at the Nürburgring depends on whether the Corvette team can get track time and whether the weather cooperates. Chevrolet also noted that four ZR1s exceeded 200 mph on the longest straight at the Ring.

Expect top speeds, 0-60 mph, and times on other circuits (Virginia International Raceway is likely one of them) to be announced closer to the launch date. Pricing is similar, but should start in the low $100,000s and exceed $200,000 if the ZTK Performance Package is selected. More details to follow.

The 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission remains the only option, but it needed to be improved to handle the ZR1's power. It has a wider gear profile, stiffer shafts, and improved lubrication.

Stronger brakes were also needed to hold off the ZR1's higher speeds. Carbon-ceramic rotors were used, and the diameter was increased from 15.4 to 15.7 inches, while the front kept the six-piston calipers. They are also slightly wider in cross-section and have a semi-polished finish instead of the raw carbon look of the Z06. The rear is a 4-piston caliper with a 15.4-inch diameter.

Increased speed and power required more downforce and cooling ducts for both coupe and convertible body styles. The front of the base ZR1 was fitted with a carbon fiber splitter, an underwing with stall Gurney deflectors, and a flow-through hood to increase downforce. Brake ducts were added to the trailing edges of the side intakes, and the coupe featured new intakes above the rear fenders to supply more air to the engine. The coupe also features a functional interpretation of the 1963 Corvette's rear split window design, with louvers along the center spine and outboard edges for improved airflow. It will be available in two body colors or exposed weave carbon fiber. Both body styles will feature a carbon fiber roof. The 20-inch front and 21-inch rear aluminum wheels are equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. New 10-spoke carbon fiber wheels are optional.

The ZTK Performance Package ups the ante. It adds a large carbon fiber rear wing, front dive plane, and taller hood gurney lip. Below that, strakes are installed in place of the gurney deflectors. This package will give the ZR1 more than 1,200 pounds of downforce, although the top speed of the ZR1 is undisclosed at this time. It will also be fitted with Michelin Pilot Cup 2R tires, which will provide near-slick tire grip. Chevrolet says the wing will be available separately, and the entire ZTK aero can be ordered as a carbon aero package for the base ZR1.

The addition of the ZR1 increases weight by about 200 pounds over the Z06, bringing dry weight to 3,670 pounds for the coupe and 3,758 pounds for the convertible. Chevrolet says the suspension tuning will be slightly softer than the track-focused Z06; the ZTK package will be stiffer, but not as stiff as the Z06 with the Z07 performance package.

The only interior change is a slightly different door lining pattern with ZR1 badging.

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is expected to hit dealerships next year.