The 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 will up the ante for the mid-engine C8 Corvette lineup with yet more go-faster goodies, including a new forced induction engine matched and a wealth of aerodynamic enhancements. Per previous GM Authority coverage, a prototype variant of the 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 was recently spotted at the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany, giving us an early look at some of the features in store, including a massive rear wing, and a new front hood air extraction vent. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the ZR1’s new side air intakes.
One of the C8 Corvette ZR1’s most notable features is its widebody stance, with the extra width provided by extended body panels that are similar to those of the C8 Corvette Z06. However, unlike the C8 Z06, the C8 Corvette ZR1 incorporates an additional air intake placed just behind the primary side air intake.
For the moment, the purpose of these additional side air intakes remains unclear, but there are a few possibilities to consider. For those readers who may be unaware, the new Corvette ZR1 will feature a forced-induction variant of the 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine cradled by the C8 Corvette Z06, labeled as the LT7, and it’s possible the new side intakes could be related. For example, the new intakes may provide fresh air to side-mounted intercoolers.
Another possibility is that the intakes feed air to additional radiators, which may be required by the forced-induction LT7. After all, the main side intakes already feed air to large side-mounted radiators, so perhaps the ZR1 is running yet further radiators in the flanks.
Finally, it’s possible the new side air intakes are only there for show, and don’t actually provide any sort of performance benefit, but rather help the widebody C8 Corvette ZR1 stand apart from the C8 Corvette Z06. That said, the new ZR1’s clear focus on aero leads us to believe this is unlikely, as the new intakes likely create additional drag that wouldn’t justify simple visual differentiation within the C8 lineup.
Either way, we’ll be there every step of the way as GM gears up to release the new C8 Corvette ZR1, so stay tuned. In the meantime, don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I’m a GM guy for nearly 40 years. I’m on the list for The ZR1 and the Zora since 2019 but to be perfectly honest I’m so disgusted with GM, it’s politics and it’s dealer network that I’m kinda over it. I have a C8 now but all the Chevy shenanigans have drained the joy from the Corvette nameplate. IDK where to go next but I doubt I’m giving Mary Barra anymore of my hard-earned. She’s been the automotive equivalent of Kathleen Kennedy.
GM’s new slogan should be “Success has made a failure of us all”.
Maybe you should drive a Subaru, that way you could be mad at somebody else and leave the rest us alone with all the hate mail. This way Suburu can drain your joy! Mary and I will appreciate you now.
Can’t? Make. Everyone? Happy. Everyone has a opinion.
I’m going to guess brake cooling.
Doubt any young person will have the dough. I, along with several friends, bought new C3s when we were in our early 20s. We were from blue collar families and worked as teachers, cops, firemen and construction. No silver spoon and none of us had rich fathers. Just goes to show how insanely expensive the C8 has become, regardless of performance. But that’s the current GM focus.
cooling air to flush the turbo and exhuast area(s)
I am loving my in the garage 2021 plain ols C8 more and more. Meaning I will never be able to get any of the newer models, sadly.
But I know people who will, and I am happy for them.
I have decided to purchase a used 458 Ferrari, and
enjoy that.
I’m still good with my antiquated 2015 Z51 optioned base C7.
Could be for intercooler.
Chevy needed a visual device to differentiate the ZR from the $20-30K less expensive Z06. The wing would have been an option so it had to be on the body of the car. Hence, the new slot.
Still ugly af