New Corvette Stands at Pinnacle of Power

WARREN, MI – The Corvette ZR1 is a name synonymous with high performance, innovation and American muscle. Chevrolet is coming out with a new version for fans who love extra speed on road or track.

This iconic sports car has a rich history, marked by General Motors’ longstanding pursuit of keeping Corvette in the same conversation about speed and performance with the likes of BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes and Porsche rivals.

Chevrolet claims the new ZR1, which goes into production in 2025,  is powered by the most powerful V-8 engine ever produced. The 5.5L, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V-8 dubbed the LT7 produces 1,064 hp at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb.-ft. (1,123 Nm) of torque at 6,000 rpm– the most power ever from a factory Corvette.

ZR1 boasts an estimated top speed of over 215 mph (346 km/h) on the racetrack and will do a quarter-mile with an estimated sub-10-second time^.. GM also says the carbon fiber aero package creates over 1,200 lbs. (544 kg) of downforce at top speed.

“The team that revolutionized Corvette with a mid-engine architecture took on another challenge: take ZR1 to the next level,” says Scott Bell, vice president, Chevrolet. “Corvette ZR1 is about pushing the envelope with raw power and cutting-edge innovation. From Stingray, to Z06, E-Ray and now ZR1, the Corvette family continues to elevate with each new iteration – and challenge the best in the world.”

ZR1’s V-8 starts with the same architecture as Z06’s LT6, which GM claims is the most powerful naturally aspirated production V-8 ever, and then adds twin turbochargers – the first time ever for a factory Corvette. The Chevy engineering team calls the package “Small Block Gemini” architecture.

The LT7 combined with forced induction produces the best performance from the flat-plane-crank V-8, says chief engineer Tadge Juechter.

To support the huge increase in power from the LT7 engine, Chevy engineers made numerous changes to the Corvette ZR1’s 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, including:

inner and outer input shaft upgrades; increased gear capacity with strength increased via shot peening for all gears; and oil management to support increased vehicle longitudinal and lateral capability.

Controlling ZR1’s high performance is a new brake system. The brake package uses a revolutionary carbon ceramic rotor manufacturing technology to yield increased durability and reduced brake component temperatures.

The ZR1 will be hand-assembled at the Performance Build Center, part of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.

The standard Corvette ZR1 chassis arrives with a sleeker body with lower drag and a small spoiler with customer-adjustable short and tall wickers. It also includes a standard carbon-fiber front splitter, rocker moldings, side intake with integrated brake cooling and front underwing with stall gurney deflectors. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrap 20-in. front and 21-in. rear wheels. The standard chassis blends the best of on-road comfort and track capability with this setup.

Bringing back a design element of yore, the rear window is split. Last seen on the C2-generation Corvette and previewed on the Corvette Z06 GT3.R race car, the split window makes a bold statement.

Other exterior and aero features: flow-through hood with air entering the front grille, flowing through the intercooler heat exchanger and exiting the hood to increase front downforce and cool charged air temperatures, and carbon fiber side-profile air ducts with clean, cool air funneling through ducts integrated into the signature wishbone bezel behind the cabin doors to cool the rear brakes. There are unique fresh-air intake ducts: Carbon fiber inlets located on top of the coupe rear hatch ingest air to cool the turbo compressor inlet air temperatures.

There is an optional performance package for track driving: a downforce rear wing, front-dive planes and a tall hood gurney lip, all constructed from woven carbon fiber. Underneath, underbody strakes replace the standard front underwing stall gurney to increase front downforce. The suspension tuning included in the ZTK package incorporates stiffer springs and adds Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. Amid testing and development, the ZR1 tackled some the world’s most demanding racetracks, including the Nürburgring, Road Atlanta and Virginia International Raceway.

Making History

The story of the Corvette ZR1 begins in the early 1970s, during an era of significant change in the automotive industry. The first ZR1, introduced in 1970, was a performance package for the C3 Corvette. It was designed to offer the ultimate track-ready version of the Corvette, featuring the potent LT1 engine, heavy-duty transmission, upgraded suspension and larger brakes.

The original ZR1 was produced in limited numbers, with only 53 built between 1970 and 1972. Despite its short production run, the ZR1 established the foundation for what would become a legendary performance badge.

The ZR1 was a niche offering until it truly came into its own with the C4 generation, which was introduced in 1989 for the 1990 model year. This iteration, often referred to as the “King of the Hill,” was a collaborative effort between GM and Lotus Engineering. The centerpiece of the C4 ZR-1 was the LT5 engine, a 5.7L V-8 designed by Lotus and built by Mercury Marine.

The LT5 was a technological marvel, featuring a double overhead camshaft design and 32 valves, producing an impressive 375 hp at its debut, later increased to 405 hp. Its performance caught the industry by surprise, with a top speed of over 180 mph (290 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of around 4.5 seconds. The C4 ZR-1 remained in production until 1995, earning a reputation as one of the most capable sports cars of its era.

The C6 ZR1: The Return of the King

After a hiatus, the ZR1 nameplate made a return with the C6 generation in 2009. This new ZR1 was a game-changer, featuring the supercharged LS9 engine, a 6.2L V-8 producing an impressive 638 hp and 604 lb.-ft.  (819 Nm) of torque. This made it the most powerful production Corvette at the time and one of the fastest cars in the world.

The C6 ZR1 incorporated advanced materials and technology to enhance its performance. The use of carbon fiber for the hood, roof, fenders and front splitter helped reduce weight, while the Magnetic Ride Control system provided exceptional handling. The C6 ZR1 could achieve a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h) and accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, solidifying its status as a supercar.

The C7 ZR1, the outgoing model, was introduced in 2019, featuring the LT5 engine, a supercharged 6.2L V-8 producing 755 hp and 715 lb.-ft. (969 Nm) of torque, capable of reaching a top speed of 212 mph (341 km/h) and hitting 0-60 in under 3 seconds.

With the most powerful V-8 engine in history for the C8 ZR1, Corvette is out to set a new standard.