2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: The Fastest, Most Powerful Corvette Ever.
29-01-2025 18:54 - MARKET NEWS
Chevrolet has unleashed the unthinkable in the Corvette ZR1. The King of the Hill returns with the most powerful V8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer, mind-bending specs and iconic design to challenge the world's best supercars in both coupe and convertible variants.
Corvette ZR1 features a 5.5L, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine dubbed the LT7.The LT7 engine produces 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm, per SAE guidelines — the most power ever from a factory Corvette and the most powerful V8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer.Corvette ZR1 boasts a GM-estimated top speed of over 215 mph on the racetrack and will dispatch the quarter mile with a GM-estimated sub-10-second time1.Purposeful carbon fiber aero package creates over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.ZR1 revives one of the most iconic styles in Corvette history: the split rear window.
Corvette ZR1 features a 5.5L, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine dubbed the LT7.The LT7 engine produces 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm, per SAE guidelines — the most power ever from a factory Corvette and the most powerful V8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer.Corvette ZR1 boasts a GM-estimated top speed of over 215 mph on the racetrack and will dispatch the quarter mile with a GM-estimated sub-10-second time1.Purposeful carbon fiber aero package creates over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.ZR1 revives one of the most iconic styles in Corvette history: the split rear window.
ZR1's 5.5L LT7 twin-turbocharged DOHC V8 engine starts with the same architecture as Z06's LT6, the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine ever, and takes it to the next level with twin turbochargers — the first time ever for a factory Corvette.
Dubbed the “Gemini V8” architecture, the LT6 program was only the beginning as engineers dual-pathed a goal: to create massive power, capability and character from naturally aspirated and turbocharged flat plane crankshaft twin engines. With these goals in mind, engineers did not create an LT6 with turbochargers, but instead changed and optimized virtually every system for a boosted application.
Corvette ZR1's 5.5L, twin-turbo DOHC flat-plane crank LT7 engine is the result of engineering prowess and pushing the boundaries of what the engine architecture can do. Thoughtful planning produced the best performance from forced induction, married with the 5.5L flat-plane engine architecture.
Unique to the 5.5L LT7 twin-turbo V8:
Head castings with unique ports and a larger combustion chamberValve train timing and lift profile optimized for forced induction with higher exhaust temp enabling exhaust valvesCompletely new intake system tuned for twin turbochargersCNC machined combustion chamber, exhaust and intake ports specific to the LT7Dual, ported shroud, ball bearing, mono-scroll (76 mm) turbochargers integrated with the exhaust manifold to reduce the volume and distance from the exhaust valve to the turbine wheel for quick response with electronic wastegatesIntelligent anti-lag engine calibration techniques specifically for ZR1 that adapt and react to driving styleThe LT7 engine also builds upon this engine architecture with:
Added block and head machining to support turbo cooling and oilingCounterweight changes to account for a unique piston, and unique connecting rod for the crank trainA secondary port fuel injection system added to deliver the needed additional fuel to support the engine's massive outputTo support the dramatic increase in power from the LT7 engine, engineers made numerous changes to the Corvette ZR1's eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, including:
Inner and outer input shaft upgradesIncreased gear capacity with strength increased via shot peening for all gearsFinal drive refinementsOil management to support increased vehicle longitudinal and lateral capabilityIncreased control valves to accommodate the higher required clutch clamp load for LT7The LT7 engine is purpose-built to accomplish its four-figure horsepower mission with no compromises in componentry and maintains the rev-happy character that is the heart of the Gemini V8 engine family. It will be hand-assembled by the master engine builders at the Performance Build Center, part of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
Dubbed the “Gemini V8” architecture, the LT6 program was only the beginning as engineers dual-pathed a goal: to create massive power, capability and character from naturally aspirated and turbocharged flat plane crankshaft twin engines. With these goals in mind, engineers did not create an LT6 with turbochargers, but instead changed and optimized virtually every system for a boosted application.
Corvette ZR1's 5.5L, twin-turbo DOHC flat-plane crank LT7 engine is the result of engineering prowess and pushing the boundaries of what the engine architecture can do. Thoughtful planning produced the best performance from forced induction, married with the 5.5L flat-plane engine architecture.
Unique to the 5.5L LT7 twin-turbo V8:
Head castings with unique ports and a larger combustion chamberValve train timing and lift profile optimized for forced induction with higher exhaust temp enabling exhaust valvesCompletely new intake system tuned for twin turbochargersCNC machined combustion chamber, exhaust and intake ports specific to the LT7Dual, ported shroud, ball bearing, mono-scroll (76 mm) turbochargers integrated with the exhaust manifold to reduce the volume and distance from the exhaust valve to the turbine wheel for quick response with electronic wastegatesIntelligent anti-lag engine calibration techniques specifically for ZR1 that adapt and react to driving styleThe LT7 engine also builds upon this engine architecture with:
Added block and head machining to support turbo cooling and oilingCounterweight changes to account for a unique piston, and unique connecting rod for the crank trainA secondary port fuel injection system added to deliver the needed additional fuel to support the engine's massive outputTo support the dramatic increase in power from the LT7 engine, engineers made numerous changes to the Corvette ZR1's eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, including:
Inner and outer input shaft upgradesIncreased gear capacity with strength increased via shot peening for all gearsFinal drive refinementsOil management to support increased vehicle longitudinal and lateral capabilityIncreased control valves to accommodate the higher required clutch clamp load for LT7The LT7 engine is purpose-built to accomplish its four-figure horsepower mission with no compromises in componentry and maintains the rev-happy character that is the heart of the Gemini V8 engine family. It will be hand-assembled by the master engine builders at the Performance Build Center, part of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
The Corvette ZR1 offers speed on tap like no Corvette before it. Two distinct setups, complete with Magnetic Ride dampers, accomplish this. 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-inch front, and 21-inch rear wheels. The standard chassis blends the best of on-road comfort and track capability with this setup.
Corvette ZR1 dispatches the world's toughest tracks with ease, not only with the power from the 5.5L LT7 engine, but also due to additional, specific aerodynamic and cooling changes found throughout the car. These include:
Flow-through hood: Air enters the front grille, flows through the intercooler heat exchanger and exits the hood to increase front downforce and cool charged air temperatures.Carbon fiber side profile air ducts: Clean, cool air is funneled through ducts, which are cleanly integrated into the signature wishbone bezel behind the cabin doors to cool the rear brakes through an intricately designed system that doesn't impact rear wheel travelUnique fresh air intake ducts: Carbon fiber inlets located on top of the coupe rear hatch ingest air to cool the turbo compressor inlet air temperaturesCorvette ZR1's optional ZTK performance package unlocks a true track weapon. Notably, the ZTK package adds an aggressive, high-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.
Carbon Aero, featuring all aerodynamic equipment from the ZTK package, is available on the standard ZR1 chassis as well.
“We went into the ZR1 program with lofty goals, but even our first development tests on-track showed the teams were already exceeding them,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette. “As we worked to develop this car, we continued to leap past expectations, and we knew we had a special Corvette on our hands.”
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. Front rotors measure 15.7 inches (400mm) in diameter and rear rotors 15.4 inches (390mm) in diameter — the front rotors are the largest ever equipped on Corvette. In just 24.5 seconds, the Corvette ZR1 goes from 80-200 mph and back to 80 mph — 22% quicker than the C7 Corvette ZR1, and 53% quicker than the C6 Corvette ZR1.
Corvette ZR1 dispatches the world's toughest tracks with ease, not only with the power from the 5.5L LT7 engine, but also due to additional, specific aerodynamic and cooling changes found throughout the car. These include:
Flow-through hood: Air enters the front grille, flows through the intercooler heat exchanger and exits the hood to increase front downforce and cool charged air temperatures.Carbon fiber side profile air ducts: Clean, cool air is funneled through ducts, which are cleanly integrated into the signature wishbone bezel behind the cabin doors to cool the rear brakes through an intricately designed system that doesn't impact rear wheel travelUnique fresh air intake ducts: Carbon fiber inlets located on top of the coupe rear hatch ingest air to cool the turbo compressor inlet air temperaturesCorvette ZR1's optional ZTK performance package unlocks a true track weapon. Notably, the ZTK package adds an aggressive, high-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.
Carbon Aero, featuring all aerodynamic equipment from the ZTK package, is available on the standard ZR1 chassis as well.
“We went into the ZR1 program with lofty goals, but even our first development tests on-track showed the teams were already exceeding them,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette. “As we worked to develop this car, we continued to leap past expectations, and we knew we had a special Corvette on our hands.”
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. Front rotors measure 15.7 inches (400mm) in diameter and rear rotors 15.4 inches (390mm) in diameter — the front rotors are the largest ever equipped on Corvette. In just 24.5 seconds, the Corvette ZR1 goes from 80-200 mph and back to 80 mph — 22% quicker than the C7 Corvette ZR1, and 53% quicker than the C6 Corvette ZR1.
3LZ trim. A boost gauge is also present, denoting the first factory turbocharged Corvette in the nameplate's history.
Providing further choice to customers, the Corvette ZR1 will provide a roster of customization between exterior and interior colors. Shared with the 2025 Corvette lineup, new colors such as Competition Yellow, Hysteria Purple and Sebring Orange headline updates. The latter recalls a fan-favorite hue from the previous C7-generation Corvette ZR1.
Inside, a new Habanero interior is available, as is a Blue Stitch option. Various full-length racing stripes, brake caliper colors, including an exclusive blue for the calipers, seat belt colors and more will also be available.
Providing further choice to customers, the Corvette ZR1 will provide a roster of customization between exterior and interior colors. Shared with the 2025 Corvette lineup, new colors such as Competition Yellow, Hysteria Purple and Sebring Orange headline updates. The latter recalls a fan-favorite hue from the previous C7-generation Corvette ZR1.
Inside, a new Habanero interior is available, as is a Blue Stitch option. Various full-length racing stripes, brake caliper colors, including an exclusive blue for the calipers, seat belt colors and more will also be available.