Chevy may have pulled the wrapper off the 2024 Corvette E-Ray earlier this year, but the Bow Tie brand isn’t slowing down when it comes to new high-performance variants of the mid-engine C8. Next on the docket is the 2025 C8 Corvette ZR1, a twin-turbo monster set to raise the performance bar even higher than the Stingray, Z06, and E-Ray variants which preceded it. Now, we’re getting our very first glimpse of the C8 ZR1 testing as a camo-clad prototype thanks to the following spy photos.
The first thing to notice is this prototype’s heavy vinyl camo, which is to be expected considering the striking exterior design that’s sure to be hiding underneath. Regardless, we can still see a rather substantial splitter aero element protruding from the bottom of the front fascia, giving the front end a rather menacing look. Under the vinyl, we can also make out what looks to be a large central ridge running vertically down the center of the front air intake, which is flanked by deep, square intakes towards the corners of the bumper.
The wheel design is obscured by flat disc covers, but the wheel width is plain as day, with an absolutely massive footprint in the rear to help put the prodigious power on tap to the pavement. The profile shows off a coupe body style.
The rear end is dominated by the same sculpted wing that’s included in the Z07 package offered for the C8 Corvette Z06. Active aero is expected to be optional for the new ZR1. We also see a center-mounted exhaust treatment with four rounded tips, once again mimicking the Z06, while the rear fascia is quite familiar as well.
Critically, this 2025 C8 Corvette ZR1 prototype was spotted testing alongside the newest members members of the C8 family, namely the Z06 and E-Ray. Which makes sense, given both the Z06 and the E-Ray are members of the same C8 widebody club. The Porsche 911 GT2 RS was also in the party, likely for benchmarking purposes.
As for the big ticket item cradled just behind the cabin, the C8 ZR1 will be equipped with the 5.5L V8 LT6 that powers the C8 Z06, plus a pair of turbochargers. The boosted eight will be assigned RPO Code LT7. With forced induction at full song, output will rise to an estimated 800 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of toque, as compared to the 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque produced by the naturally aspirated C8 Z06. It’s also unclear if the LT6’s flat plane crank will remain with the addition of two turbos.
Stay tuned, because we’ll have plenty more to say about the upcoming 2025 C8 Corvette ZR1 in the near future. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
WHICH FERRARI IS THIS ? or is a Lamborghini ?
Great observation!
A person can buy a C8 Corvette and wipe the floor with a Ferrari or Lamborghini for a fraction of the price. Your sarcastic comment has failed miserably. Take a nap.
Which Ferrari is that? Because the SF90, and 296 would mop the floor with the current C8 Stingray and Z06. Maybe a 10 year old 488? Also, which Lambo? The current Huracan EVO, STO, would also go toe to toe with any current C8 offering. The Aventador SVJ would also mop the floor. Don’t even start with McLaren, even a 10 year old McLaren 12C is as fast as a Z06, which Chevy engineers admitting to buying to reverse engineer, along with a Ferrari F430 and 488 were acquired.
Of course I wasn’t speaking of each and every Ferrari or Lamborghini on the market. Some of these cars are $500,000 hypercars that are on the top shelf of any list. With this being said, the C8 Z06 and this new ZR1 will hang with or beat many of the offerings from these two companies. There is no reason to play dumb. You know what I meant. Any way you cut it, the C8 undercuts the price of Ferrari and Lamborghini and offers very similar performance.
If you hate GM and the Corvette, you are on the wrong site. I am in my early 40’s own several of them and they have never let me down when it comes to performance. The most impressive (IMHO) is my C7 GS, that across many tests and many tracks, split the road course races with the ~$275k 911 GT3 RS. Another good one is when the ’19 Ford GT ($500,000) set the new track record at VIR. Then the following week, GM took the ’19 ZR1 (a mere $120,000) there and beat Ford’s time by almost 2 seconds.
Depends on what you are referring to. If you are referring to track times. Which Ferrari is quicker than a Z06 w/Z07 around VIR? Name a Huracan that can keep pace with it. Aventador sure, but how much does it cost? We can play easy mode and go in a straightline but that’s boring. The only cars quicker than the Z06 on track are cars that cost 2 or 3 or even more.
Let’s be honest. The smartest thing exotic car manufactures have discovered is that being rich and being intelligent are not mutually exclusive.
Hell Yeah!!! Let’s Go!!!
It’s no doubt that GM makes the greatest sports car ever. But they can’t produce them in sufficient numbers to satisfy demand. They are at least 5 years behind in Z06 s .
They build what they can. The demand is so strong because they set miraculously set MSRP to undercut the upper echelon of performance. People aspire to obtain all the top performance cars. Yet, I don’t see anyone complaining that Porsche can’t meet demand for the GT3 RS.
Will the ZR1 get active aero?
Too early to tell imo
But a valid question.
I think if there’s a 1LE version it might.
I’m curious how they expect to put the power down and maintain good driving dynamics with that much power and only 2wd.
No matter what, it’s going to be a rocket sled.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale has ~980hp, Ferrari Pista is around 750+.
Mid-engine cars put the power down very well.
But they aren’t styled and engineered by bean counters
And the last variant, the Zora, will add electric power to the twin-turbo ZR1, finally reaching that magic number, 1000 HP.
After that comes the C9 and we start all over again.
Damion… While I think 100% dealer markup is insane… On the other hand if you can afford a $150,000-$200,000 car… THE PRICE OF A MY HOUSE $160,000…. I wouldn’t be complaining if I had that kind of money to throw around unless your taking a loan you can’t really afford them blaming GM because it’s out of your reach! These are exclusive cars they should be limited edition that’s the problem nowadays everyone follows the leader and buys up everything at an alarming rate which why today’s cars won’t be worth anything in the future years ago you bought a Corvette or Cadillac if you could afford it if not you didn’t own one .. that reality! I don’t own one and probably never will but that does not mean I am hater because I can’t have one;
I’m just not certain how you package twin turbos on an already giant engine and fixed-design engine compartment? Maybe it’s gonna be the 2-valve they will turbo?
You package the turbos with the heads , inter grated , it’s a common practice .
Simple racer boy you just do it lol… But hopefully they are tested very very well for this much money. And Damion you you want a Lamborghini go buy one stop putting GM/Chevy down like they are not worth it!!!! Enough is enough European exotic cars have PLENTY of problems they are just covered up better by the anti American Media!
Finally the C8 ZR1 is being tested publicly and we are seeing an American supercar that has more performance than any European and Italian sports car at a reasonable price for all people worldwide as far as GM also produces many ZR1!
I particularly like the wide wheels at the back, because GM already installed the widest tires at the time on the C4 ZR1!
The engine power will be just under 900 HP so that the later C8 Zora with hybrid can or will have more than 1111 HP!
I like Corvette ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next up, Corvette SUV’s ?? I am going to wear out my C8 before I get a Z06.
Who the Hell can afford this stuff????? Don’t they know we are heading for a recession? How in the world can anyone, think this is the time for this? Just sayin’
There are plenty of people who can afford them. More than they can satisfy in fact.
Excellent comment. I’m not rich, but have enough cash to afford this stuff (today!) because I worked a decent job, saved and invested. And I didn’t buy lots of new cars over my lifetime to suffer from massive depreciation. My newest vehicle is a 2002 minivan for crying out loud – combined with 4 other modest classic cars (1979 Corvette, 1986 Trans Am, 1987 Buick Grand National and 1989 Trans Am Pace car). In 1979 I told the dealer that I’d be back to buy another one when the fenders rusted off. Well, they never did and I am tired of waiting! If I am offered the chance to buy a ZR1, I’m going to buy it. Then I’ll hold onto it until the fenders rust out…
In regards to bad economy throughout history, there were plenty of wealthy people and will be plenty of wealthy people no matter how bad the economy will be in the future.
Open your eyes. Smart wealthy people save money and don’t spend on wasteless stuff.
Will they fix the oversteer problem? If they have turbos on the LT6 for the ZR1, then they will also need extra cooling, extra rear chassis bracing, bigger axles and a stronger diff, all of which adds a boatload of weight all over the rear wheels. Combined with the added power being almost certain to lift the front wheels on a launch, this thing seems like a 4000 lb death trap at the track. That front end will struggle hard for traction.
Yes, there are challenges. Maybe not perfect, but let’s give it a shot.
Oversteer problem? The C8 has been engineered with a mild understeer, although I have never noticed it on the street. With the track alignment at the Ron Fellows driving class, I noted that it is remarkably controllable with brake increasing oversteer and power increasing understeer. Both of these effects noted at speeds bordering on ludicrous; sweeping turns were terrifying for this aero engineer. Even with most of the nanny systems turned off the car refused to threaten the dreaded rear spinout. I lucked out for day 2 of the L1 racing class to drive in the rain. One could actually play into the non-linear tire behavior without being at such speed that it felt life threatening.
I believe the next corvette will have the 670hp zo6 motor and 160 hp electric like the e-ray.
830hp.
Easy, logical and proven.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but let’s keep the crude nasty language to ourselves. Damion decries people who work at dealerships as he talks about the value of Italian supercars over American ones. He probably spends little time at a track. Talk to a real racer and they would prefer a Vette ZO6 for $140,000 pretty fully equipped for the track over anything $200,000 will buy them at any brand European dealership. Just because they are American doesn’t mean they aren’t good. Just because they are Italian doesn’t mean they are better. Let’s celebrate engineering and innovation where ever it comes from.
Great points. I don’t mind people pointing out potential problems, but unless and until issues actually surface in a production vehicle, it’s really pointless and premature to declare a car as junk. I’m one of those guys you mentioned that is going to buy a high performance Corvette – even if a foreign car (priced a lot higher) has superior performance on a race track. I’ll be happy anyway.
Just try to get one. Customers wait for ever to receive any Chevy they order. My som ordered a 2023 Silverado. Was told he would have toe except a 2024 instead. Of course the price went up. Now they have us all my the short hairs. NO MORE new vehicles!!!!!!
Because the newest vehicle in my 5 vehicle fleet is a 2002, I believe that I have patience. Whatever it takes. A twin turbo ZR1 would certainly be worth waiting for.
Keep making gas and diesel cars and trucks!
95% of Americans them!
Just make enough electric for the 5% who wants them!
Listen to what everyone wants and not what the government wants!!
Unfortunately it’s the totalitarian government sort of “elected” in 2020 that holds all the cards. They are unnecessarily tightening emission regulations to the point that the only thing a car corporation can manufacture is an EV. With this corrupt administration, it’s not a matter of consumer choice (an American concept) that defines the product line. It won’t be much different than China or Russia if this goes on unchecked. Hopefully there will be enough knowledgeable people to throw the dictators out in 2024 and change the regs.
Sooooooo sad poor Damion, brain washed by the EURO CRAP. Give me a Z06 at MSRP which can be done take the 150k you save not buying the Euro crap invest it with a 6% ROI and in 12 years based on the rule of 72 it will double now you have 300k and a Z06 worth at least 100k. Will your Euro car be worth 400k and by the way how about higher maintenance and Insurance costs? Not a rhetorical question.
Wow!!!! This forum has alot of people at each others throats. Not nice by any means. This is supposed to be the place for civil discourse and discussion. Not telling each other off. Yes, the new C8 will cost an arm and leg. But there will be those of us who CAN afford it. Not many of us, but there will be some. Lets be nicer to each other. Life is too short to be so nasty. As “Big Kenny” says, LOVE EVERYBODY!
Bob Lutz did say several years ago that GM with the C8 was going to “mop the floor” with the Europeans at a fraction of the price. Now, it’s happening.
YOU ARE RIGHT PETE. Happy Memorial Day everyone.
Would rather GM had spent the ZR-1 development money on an exterior and interior refresh of the base car. I mean who gets excited when a C8 passes by anymore ? It’s gotten stale, for Cripes sake. Another 25-50 more HP and a proper manual tranny are needed. Forget this halo car crap. From 1956- 1972, that was a formula that kept true afficionados in the fold.
OMG… are we really on GM interiors again some of them are better then Toyota and BMW IMO… Ok maybe the row of buttons is getting old and hard to use but it looks awesome and if you can use a tablet most if not all of those controllers on on screen or you can speak them to command them, the leather surfaces even in pictures looks great and of high quality not like the 80s or 90s top of the line pleater… And don’t start on the price because not everyone in ’80s ’90s can afford a Corvette either and a performance is much better now to justify the price IMO. I am not upset like most people that I cannot afford a Corvette I think the car should be exclusive especially as the ZR1 can’t we have something unique from this generation instead of having everything mass produced and everybody and their brother has it I mean it would be nice on one hand but in the future the cars won’t be worth anything That’s why that’s another reason why old cars are worth money because certain Corvettes or Cadillacs or Lincoln’s or even certain common Chevys or Fords there weren’t that many of them so there work something now if you send something rare you know and I hope to that these cars in the future are more attainable than 60 cars that are out of reach for everybody, like my father says a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 was only like a five or six thousand dollar car now it’s $150,000 I mean if not more it’s ridiculous that that’s what I think is ridiculous now that car is inflated so much in price never mind the interior on a new Corvette just saying no hate here just speaking my peace you have your right to your opinion okay I don’t want the enemies but I think the new I think the new Corvette interior maybe I could use an update a slight update but I think it looks fine that’s all I’m saying. Go Chevy for having enough guts to even come out with a car like this or the Z06 or the E-Ray or the ZR1, I wish they would keep the Camaro would come out with cars like this I really do and redesign it but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
NOT THE INTERIOR COMPLAINING AGAIN! IMO did you have interiors are just as good as Toyota or even Kia for that matter or you know the new ones and people just keep putting them down because of price it’s it’s so sickening you know it’s like the ZR1 wanted to hear yours nice it’s always the regular Corvette Z06 the E-Ray they’re all nice and tears are beautiful. Okay maybe the roll buttons maybe they can get rid of it I don’t know I think it looks cool looking might be hard to see but most of those things you can control with the screen or you can probably talk to the car too and control you know I mean everybody’s entitled to their opinion you know but the letter seating And these cars is better than the ’80s or ’90s plether you know Even in the pictures and materials seem like they are very high quality and I can’t see anything wrong with it I mean maybe it could use upgrade I mean I’m no expert everybody’s entitled to their opinion and I like the colors that they offer too even if you don’t like red they got other colors they’re blue red and I’ve seen I don’t know what else there is I mean I think that’s cool a lot of cars don’t offer that anymore I think a lot of car should come back out with that how about in like in the ’70s ’80s then maroon interiors you know not and everything was just black white and beige black white and bees you know come on man give us more options and in all cars not just a Corvette. And the other thing is I think this ZR1 should be somewhat limited and exclusive so people who can afford it can buy it it is way in the future be worth more money it won’t be a crap ton of them all over the place you know I mean you know if you want when you want one but on the other hand no this is the way old cars were you know not everybody can afford a Chevelle 454 stage 3 most people probably just had a stage one you know unless you can afford it I mean I know it’s a different animal a lot different price but back then five or six thousand was I like chunk or change it wasn’t a lot of money you know but think about what people made back then in 1970 and you know people don’t think about this and stop and think about it Corvettes for our history not just now they’re always expensive not everybody can only freaking Corvette you know I mean people complain about the price how much it cost is not up to Lamborghini or Ferrari levels it’s not a Porsche… Well you know what no it isn’t any of those doors it’s his own it’s its own car and it’s cheaper than all those cars even the top of the line one you know Even the top frames of those cars the top trim Corvette is still cheaper so in my opinion I can I can sacrifice a little bit on the interior for a better price I mean the car has amazing performance it already saying it’s going to be amazing okay And my other thing is what about the Challenger the hellcat the demon they weren’t cheap You’re talking 70 80 90,000 maybe more for a channel or okay fine they were cool factor but they weren’t no Corvette they couldn’t really go around turns their muscle cars everybody made a big stink about it oh wow Challenger cuz they look like an old one let me tell you something two different cars yeah but it’s Newton this new Vette I mean even a regular stingray I gave a challenger hellcat I don’t know if it was demon or not I run for his money imagine the Z06 the E-Ray in a ZR1…. Yes they cost more than the Challenger did well some of them do I think the stingray is cheaper than a demon I’m not sure where it was only still make the demon or not or they discontinued it whatever but you know my point is it’s a quick car it can go around turns it handles good The interior in my opinion is very nice yeah maybe you can use an update everybody’s entitled their opinion but I’m just so tired of people putting GM and Chevy down for their interiors I meanwhile I’ve been in Nissans I’ve been in Toyotas I’ve been in kias I’ve been in a lot of cars my friends mechanic and they’re interiors aren’t you know top shelf like they make it out to be in the in the magazines he had a nice welp pleated seats or different patterns but I want to see different colors besides brown black white you know what I’d like to get an Equinox and get if I want it red or blue leather why not why can’t I have that you think about it I know it sounds silly but that’s just me. Go Chevy and great job on this new Corvette no excellent job on this new Corvette now if only they keep the Camaro around and make it this good I wish 👍🏼👍🏼