Chevy introduced its fastest, track-focused, 2025 ZR1 model Thursday with a twin-turbocharged, FPC 5.5-liter V-8 engine that makes a stratospheric 1,064 horsepower, the first ‘Vette to hit quadruple digits.
The number puts the mid-engine sportscar in elite, million-dollar-plus hypercar territory along with European rocket ships like the 1,063-horsepower Mercedes-AMG One and 1,160-horse Aston Martin Valkyrie.
Yet the Corvette will cost a tenth of these exotics at an estimated $150,000 when it goes on sale this fall.
The staggering power number is the highest-rated V-8 made by any automaker.
It raises expectations that the hybrid-electric, all-wheel-drive version of the eighth-generation (C8), mid-engine car reportedly called the Corvette Zora, may approach 1,500 horsepower eye-watering territory occupied by exotics like the Bugatti Chiron Sport.
“We are looking to connect with Ferrari and Lamborghini customers with these performance numbers,” said Harlan Charles, Corvette marketing manager.
The ZR1 was introduced at an event in Miami, but The Detroit News got a preview of the car with its product team in Sterling Heights earlier this summer
Impressively, the ZR1 puts its 828 pound-feet of torque to the ground with the same 8-speed transmission and 13.6-inch, rear-wheel-driven tire setup as the 670-horspower Z06, the fastest, normally-aspirated Corvette ever made.
Strap twin turbos on the race-developed, screaming, 5.5-liter, overhead cam V-8 (internally referred to as the LT6) in the Z06, & Chevy engineers achieved hypercar power numbers with a redline of 8,000 RPM.
While performance numbers have not been finalized, Chevy says the ZR1 has a top speed of in excess of 215 mph and will blow through the quarter mile in less than 10 seconds.
You’ll know the ZR1 by the deep air extractor in the front hood, similar to that found on the C8.R race car that competes in the global GT3 series. Like the C8.R which won IMSA’s stop at Virginia International Raceway last weekend the hood scoop helps keep the nose on the ground when the ZR1 summons its stampede of horsepower.
Out back, the ZR1 features a split window, both an homage to the iconic 1963 Corvette and also to help feed more air to the beast amidships. Air inlets have been added to the top of the rear fenders as well. In keeping with ZR1 tradition, the badge’s signature blue trim can be found on the LT7 engine intake.
In keeping with ZR1 tradition, the badge’s signature blue trim can be found on the LT7 engine intake. Inside, a Blue Stitch option is available along with blue brake caliper colors and other accessories
The ZR1’s cockpit gets unique ZR1 badging on the sill plates and steering wheel, and a boost gauge in keeping with the first turbocharged Corvette in the nameplate’s storied history.
In order to bring the ZR1 to a stop, the ZR1 will come standard with 15.7-inch carbon ceramic brakes in front, 15.4-inch out back.
The ZR1 goes from 80-200 mph and back to 80 mph in just 24.5 seconds, 22% quicker than the previous-gen, C7 Corvette ZR1 and 53% quicker than the C6 ZR1.
Options include a high-downforce, winged ZTK package with sticky, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, carbon-fiber wheels (reducing rolling weight by 40 pounds), and a convertible model.
At full speed, the ZTK aero-package will produce 1,200 pounds of downforce.
As The Detroit News first reported in April 2020, the ZR1 will be the ultimate, track-focused version of the eighth-generation, mid-engine Corvette C8. What The News underreported was that the so-called LT7 engine would propel the “track monster to over 800 horsepower.”
The 1,064-horse figure eclipses supercars like the Lamborghini Revuelto (1,001 hp), Tesla Model S Plaid (1,020 hp) and Dodge Demon 170 (1,025 hp).
The ZR1 is the third of four performance variants of the C8, with the Zora still in the wings.
The C8 supercar debuted as a 2020 model, followed by the 2023, 670-horsepower Z06 packing a dual-overhead cam V-8 inspired by the C8.R race car that competes in international sports car racing. Chevrolet also introduced a grand touring-focused version of the C8: the 2024, all-wheel-drive hybrid E-Ray, which is the first Corvette to be electrified.
The mid-engine ‘Vette has been a hit, with sales on course for over 32,000 units this year at an average transaction price of over $101,600.
Historically, the ZR1 badge fondly referred to by fans as the “King of the Hill” has represented advancements in engine technology, including a dual-overhead-cam V-8 in 1990, supercharged V-8 in 2009 and now the twin-turbo monster for 2025
The ZR1 is the swan song of Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter, who is stepping down this year and will be remembered for realizing the first mid-engine and 1,000-horsepower Corvette. The ZR1’s introduction was pushed back to a 2025 model from a 2024 due to COVID delays.
“We went into the ZR1 program with lofty goals, but even our first development tests on-track showed the teams were already exceeding them,” Juechter said.
The Detroit News expects a fourth, mega-performance version called the Zora likely pushing $200,000 which will incorporate the LT7 engine and the electric motor in the front axle of the E-Ray for a mega-horsepower, all-wheel-drive hypercar.
The last ZR1 had front-engine architecture and ended production after the 2019 model year. It was the last model of the seventh-generation Corvette.
Despite making a staggering 755 horsepower, the last ZR1’s LT5 mill was literally bursting at the seams, its supercharger poking through the hood like Hulk’s muscles through a too-small shirt.
By going mid-engine, the eighth-generation Corvette gave the development team better rear-wheel traction and the flexibility to put an electric motor up front to complement the gas engine.
The standard, 495-horsepower C8 has an old-school, normally-aspirated LT2, 6.2-liter push-rod V-8.
The last-generation, front-engine ZR1 started at $122,000 expect the new model to push $150k when it rolls out of Kentucky's Bowling Green Assembly in 2025.
