The C8-generation Chevy Corvette’s base model was already a fast car, so it took throwing a flat-plane-crank V8 into the Z06 for it to become something special. And with that kind of gusto up their sleeve, we’ve known all along that Chevy was going to swing for the fences with the top-dog C8 ZR1. And while so many of us had high expectations (in the 850 horsepower range), GM still managed to shock us with the machine they’ve concocted this time around. The headlines are a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged flat-plane-crank V8 that makes 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque, both of which are utterly insane, and a claimed top speed of “over” 215 MPH without the high-downforce aero package. The quarter mile will supposedly disappear in under ten seconds, and they gave the car a split rear window– a Corvette first since the iconic C2. GM went big with this one.

While the 2025 ZR1 won’t hit the streets in production form until about a year from now, we certainly have enough to drool over. It almost looks and reads like something you’d create in Forza Horizon after a few too many beers on a Friday night: Over 1,000 horsepower and rear-wheel-drive? GM must really be confident in its trick Performance Traction Management (PTM) tech to keep these things out of the trees, curbs, and tire walls. We don’t expect the 0-60 acceleration to drop significantly from the Z06’s times, which would make the E-Ray still the quickest (Read: Not fastest) ‘Vette yet, but the rate at which it accelerates from a roll and above 60 MPH when it has traction promises to be unlike anything experienced this side of an exotic, multi-million dollar super/hypercar.

The last few ZR1s have been great, but this might be an all-timer. It not only gets the insane aforementioned performance upgrades over lesser C8s, but the bodywork has been revised as well. Building on the Z06’s looks, it adds a flow-through hood, carbon fiber side air brake ducts, and even more air intake ducts that in this application cool the turbos. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced (expect it to be revealed closer to the car’s actual on-the-road date), but we’re betting anywhere from a $150-200k starting price before dealer markups.

We don’t really have much else to say about the new ZR1 other than that we wouldn’t be shocked to see a hybridized AWD version down the road, so it’s time to let a few tidbits plucked straight from the car’s press release and some assorted pictures do the talking:

• “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 (1123 Nm) 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 (346 Kph)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 (544 Kg) of downforce at top speed.
• ZR1 revives one of the most iconic styles in Corvette history: the split rear window.“

“The team that revolutionized Corvette with a mid-engine architecture took on another challenge: take ZR1 to the next level,” said 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.”

Unique to the 5.5L LT7 twin-turbo V8:

• Head castings with unique ports and a larger combustion chamber
• Valve train timing and lift profile optimized for forced induction with higher exhaust temp enabling exhaust valves
• Completely new intake system tuned for twin turbochargers
• CNC machined combustion chamber, exhaust and intake ports specific to the LT7
• Dual, 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 wastegates
• Intelligent anti-lag engine calibration techniques specifically for ZR1 that adapt and react to driving style

The LT7 engine also builds upon this engine architecture with:

• Added block and head machining to support turbo cooling and oiling
• Counterweight changes to account for a unique piston, and unique connecting rod for the crank train
• A secondary port fuel injection system added to deliver the needed additional fuel to support the engine’s massive output

To 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 upgrades
• Increased gear capacity with strength increased via shot peening for all gears
• Final drive refinements
• Oil management to support increased vehicle longitudinal and lateral capability
• Increased control valves to accommodate the higher required clutch clamp load for LT7

Purposeful aerodynamics provide the most downforce ever from a Corvette with over 1,200 pounds (544 kg) at top speed.

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 (129 – 321 – 129 kph) — 22% quicker than the C7 Corvette ZR1, and 53% quicker than the C6 Corvette ZR1.

Last seen on the C2-generation Corvette, and quietly previewed on the Corvette Z06 GT3.R race car, the split-window style capitalizes on the design statement that is Corvette ZR1. While serving as a statement piece, this carbon fiber “spine” between the two rear windows, available in exposed weave or body color, provides increased heat extraction from the engine compartment, working in parallel with numerous other cooling elements throughout ZR1.

• On its first lap at the Milford Proving Ground’s MRC test track, the new ZR1 clocked a faster peak speed than the production C7 ZR1.
• Engineers clocked a sub-10-second quarter-mile time on the Corvette ZR1’s first launch.
• All four test drivers clocked over 200 mph (321 kph) peak speed on their very first laps at the Nürburgring with ease.
• LT7 produces more power than two LS7 engines, the legendary 7.0L V-8 from the sixth-generation Corvette Z06 – akin to one LS7 engine per bank.