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How have they done this? Well, the headline for the ZR1 is that it’s powered by the most powerful V8 ever produced in America for a road car. To give some context, the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 in the ZR1 produces more power than the 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 that was found in the middle of the Bugatti Veyron.
Let’s take a dive into the beating heart of the ZR1 – the 5.5-litre flat-plane crank twin-turbo V8. The architecture of the engine is the same as that found in the naturally aspirated Z06.
While turbocharged Corvettes are nothing new – GM and aftermarket tuners have experimented with and offered these for years – this is the first all-GM Corvette to be turbocharged. The 2025 ZR1 gains two turbos integrated with the exhaust manifold. The result is a reduced volume and distance between the exhaust valve and turbine wheel, resulting in quicker response.
Additional unique changes made to the V8 for the ZR1 include a new intake system tuned for its two turbochargers, intelligent anti-lag calibration which adapts to your driving style, and a larger CNC-machined combustion chamber, along with reworked exhaust and intake ports. A change that doesn’t add performance – but stays in line with past ZR1 models – is the Edge Blue engine cover. All the changes result in the powerplant being assigned the LT7 code.
The engine produces 1,064bhp and 828lb ft (1,123Nm) of torque. The result is a top speed of over 215mph, according to GM estimations. There is no 0–60mph time released yet, but there is an estimated quarter-mile time of less than 10 seconds.
With the increase in power and torque, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission has also undergone extensive work to handle the performance. Changes include revisions to the inner and outer input shafts, increased gear capacity, and strength improvements through shot peening for all gears. Refinements have also been made to the final drive and the number of control valves increased for the higher required clutch clamp load.
To help the ZR1 get this power down, there has been extensive aerodynamic work throughout the car, including a revised bonnet that allows air to flow through it, carbon-fibre air ducts to help cool the rear brakes, and ducts at the top of the rear hatch to help cool the turbo compressor inlets. However, if these changes aren’t quite hardcore enough for you, there’s an option called the ZTK Performance Package. According to Chevrolet themselves, the ZTK package “unlocks a true track weapon.”
What do you get as part of this? One of the most noticeable changes is a huge rear wing which helps push the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres into the road. You also get canards at the front of the ZR1 and a Gurney lip on the bonnet.
As with nearly all cars in this sector, these additions are finished in carbon fibre. There has also been work to the underbody of the ZR1, with strakes replacing the front Gurney on the underside. The ZTK package also offers stiffer springs for the suspension. All of the revised aerodynamic work on the ZR1 provides 544kg of downforce at top speed.
To help slow down the new ZR1, there are 400mm carbon-ceramic discs at the front with 390mm discs at the rear. How effective are the new brakes? Well, the ZR1 can accelerate from 80mph to 200mph and back to 80mph in just 24.5 seconds. Compared to the previous generation ZR1, the C7, the C8 does this 22 per cent quicker.
The C8 ZR1 also sees the return of one of the most iconic design features of a Corvette – the split rear window. Directly referencing the C2 Corvette of 1962, the 2025 ZR1 puts a modern take on this feature, with the spine finished in exposed or painted carbon fibre. The return of the split window isn’t just for show – it helps with extracting heat from the engine bay. Around the exterior, there are more unique touches for the ZR1, some standard and others optional. These include a carbon-fibre roof to lower the centre of gravity, unique aluminium wheels, and carbon-fibre wheels which reduce unsprung mass by 19.4kg.
The new ZR1 will begin production in 2025 as a coupé and a roadster, with pricing and availability to be announced in due course. When the Mustang GTD was announced, I didn’t think we would be seeing a direct rival from the States – but how wrong was I? The “regular” C8 Corvette is available in the UK with right-hand drive, and I sincerely hope that the 1,064bhp ZR1 will be too.
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