The 2025 Corvette ZR1 is quite impressive, with a double-take-inducing spec sheet that includes an estimated engine output of 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. With a figure like that, the new C8 ZR1 is nothing short of the most powerful production Vette ever made. Nevertheless, GM Authority has learned that it’s quite possible the C8 ZR1’s final power number estimate may in fact be even higher.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the official power rating for the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is likely to climb above the 1,064-horsepower number already touted at the sports car’s debut. And it makes sense too, given GM has already stated that the ZR1’s twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 engine “produces 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm, per SAE guidelines.” That last bit about “SAE guidelines” is particularly important, as it means the numbers have yet to be officially certified by the SAE, and could very well change compared to GM’s initial estimates.
As is typically the case, OEM output estimates can be somewhat pessimistic – after all, no automaker wants to lower the official horsepower rating for a high-end sports car following SAE certification. An output figure close to, or just above, 1,100 horsepower from the C8 Corvette ZR1 could very much be in the cards, following the SAE’s stamp of approval.
While a 36-horsepower bump may not seem like a lot in the face of four-figure output numbers, it would simply go to underline just how incredible the new Corvette ZR1 actually is. Beyond the numbers, Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter (now retired) has told GM Authority that spent gas exit the ZR1’s four central exhaust pipes with so much velocity (close to the speed of sound, in fact), it actually “provides thrust to the vehicle.”
Properly unleashed, GM estimates that the C8 Corvette ZR1 will cover the quarter mile in less than 10 seconds, all while charging up to a top speed of around 215 mph. Impressive stuff, indeed.
Under the skin, all C8 Corvette variants ride on the GM Y2 platform, while production takes place exclusively at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
Comments
Wow! This car is a big worry for all other supercar manufactures in the industry.
Common to GM. They generally under estimate the power till the SAE. They don’t want yo get busted like Ford have over estimating.
They generally underrate their engines as well. The base Colorado engines has less HP than the Ford Ranger and they can boost the Turbomax to compete with the RR, but probably will not because they want to protect its reliability….
I’ll tell ya, if this thing makes 1.1k horsepower, it will rock the exotics even harder.
Already said, but very common for GM to underestimate.
1100 is the number. That’s the big idea
No, it’s not. GM publishes SAE certified HP. CERTIFIED by SAE to be accurate within +/- 2%
Only that the 1,068 hp announced is an estimate, not certified.
There goes your wordy argument, straight down the $hitter.
No. GM has a history of underrated HP numbers.
As well as does Mopar and Ford. It’s not that they don’t know . It’s intentional on their part. Duh!
You clearly don’t understand anything about SAE certified testing.
with 1100 HP it will really fly at 55 MPH
Whatever GM comes up with as an end result figure, you know the aftermarket will catch that figure and through some “Voo Doo” magic probably raise that figure even higher! Oh yeah what GM engine engineers have done has lit another flame under the rear of Corvette buyers and lovers world wide! Let the games begin!
At the recent 30th anniversary event in Bowling Green, I watched a presentation where they explained that the target was 800, and on the dyno, first test, with waste gates wide open, detuned, it hit 850. This actually caused some commotion and problems, as the car me hanicals were designed around 800, but they reengineered to accomodafe what was coming. They had to obtain new dynamometers to handle this amount of power, there were no GM dynos capable of 1000. All this is from a presentation in the Conference Center at Corvette Museum about August 30th. I saw the engine at the factory on a stand, incredible. So awesome. I might go completely broke trying to afford a ZR1, but I think it will be worth it. I will be homeless, but hey, I will have a ZR1. I do beleive it can be 1100 HP, so much good engineering went into it. According to the guy speaking at 80mph the ZR1 hits 3rd gear, and then accelerates at a faster rate then 0 to 80, he said it starts pulling harder. Thank goodness for traction control. This thing is a beast.
Hey, you can live in a car, but you can’t drive a house.
It doesn’t really matter if it’s 1064 or 1100 can’t use it all on the street.This car is built for the people who frequent a track and let it rip.At 55 or 75 it’s no more powerful then a Chevy trax!🤣And who knows what the sticker will be on this monster!
Frank so true, tough to use 1000 HP on the street, but it sure sounds cool! To your point, I own a C8 and a C6, and I drove a Prius to Bowling Green! 😂 . 5189 miles round trip, 129 gallons of gas. 18 days. Volunteered at the museum so got to use Staff parking.
LOL. You really don’t know anything about motors, HP, or cars, do you?
Apparently none of you guys watch 1320 videos. Roll racing at night in Texas and Mexico. So many of y’all are in the f****** dark it’s pathetic. Yes it’s illegal but yes it happens. A lot. Many 1000+ HP cars.
Like any one buyer of this car could tell the difference in 50 or so extra ponies. I’d be happy to just feel 800 plus pounds of torque.