The 2025 C8 Corvette ZR1 made its big debut this past July in Miami, and the specs are impressive, to put it mildly. The ZR1 features the twin turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 that cranks out 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque. That earns the C8 ZR1 the distinction of being the most powerful V8 engine ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer. All that is excellent news, except maybe for those who will be lining up to get one, since production is sure to be limited, likely making it challenging to get one. The big question is just how limited will it be?
The limited nature of 2025 Corvette ZR1 production won’t be related to creating scarcity but rather the result of a more pragmatic reason.
“I can’t really give numbers but I can say that it will be limited, though not necessarily like we’re limiting it to a number,” Corvette Product Marketing Manager, Harlan Charles, told GM Authority’s Executive Editor, Alex Luft, during the ZR1’s reveal in July. “It will be limited by the components and the supply that we have,” he added.
So while an exact production figure for the C8 ZR1 remains elusive, we at least know that GM won’t be limiting it artificially.
The impact of production limitations on the mid-engine Corvette C8 is all too familiar for those looking to get one. Even the “base” C8 Stingray saw many delays in assembly and delivery during its first two to three years on the market. The same then applied to the C8 Z06 during its launch, followed by the C8 E-Ray, which is seeing production bottlenecks to this day. Even specific packages, such as aero packs containing carbon fiber components, have been impacted by production constraints, pushing GM to bring online new suppliers for the limited availability hardware.
Beyond actual production volume, the other mystery regarding the C8 Corvette ZR1 is its price. Chevy has yet to release pricing, so we asked our readers shortly after the reveal to guess how much the starting price would be. Most expected it to start between $175,000 to $200,000 USD. That figure might seem a little high when compared to the 2024 Corvette Z06, which currently starts at around $111,000 for the base 1LZ trim while the range-topping 3LZ starts at $125,000. But the ZR1 is a significant upgrade from the Z06 when it comes to performance. The naturally-aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 in the C8 Corvette Z06 can crank out 670 horses which, while not too shabby, doesn’t hold a candle to the LT7. Frankly, we think our readers hit the mark in guessing the price tag for the ZR1, considering we’re talking about a vehicle that can go at least 215 miles per hour and take the quarter mile in 10 seconds.
Comments
Mary Barra: “Let’s design and market a car we can’t build! Then let’s make sure the 2% of demand we can fill goes through the absolute worst of our dealer network directly to scalpers who immediately flip them on Bringatrailer so we don’t have to honor the warranty! Everyone will love it!”
After the last battle for a C8 I’m SO over the entirely miserable process of trying to buy a car from GM that the ZR1 actually gives me a headache just looking at it. There has to be a better way to do business Mary.
Jim,
If you’re that bitter, get off this site! Why are you here and reading Corvette articles?
Not only that but try buying a comparable vehicle and taking delivery sooner than the ZR1.
Jim didn’t want to miss the opportunity to throw a punch to Mary Barra. All the supercars manufacturers are limiting their production volumes to keep the exclusivity halo on the model.
Jim I concur. Half of the guys aren’t even buyers so nevermind the negativity. People have to realize if you want things to change stop being so damn abrasive and defensive over what!!!! The way GM is handling their business around the C8 has been atrocious and that’s before you get to their dealers. As Americans, we have to be honest and it’s sad because I’ve been a corvette buyer for years. I had preorder for the C8 Z06 until the order banks open and the dealer who promised no markup lied and wanted 50k in his pocket. I’m on the ZR1 list..been on it for years. I really appreciate Hendricks, they were honest and once they were on a call with gm and dealers, he quickly realized they don’t have the production. They kept us on the list, but the refunded everyone’s deposits. Porsche doesn’t do this..McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, ect. It’s our American brand that is greedy to no end. I’m over it as well.
The base Corvette has enough performance for most Corvette buyers. Its price is remarkable for the performance it offers.
Here is the deal. These high end cars are limited in most all cases. But they help sell the lower end models and the truth is the low end models make more money.
The Corvette is blessed to be able to so more than one variation and still provide the volume to cover the needs of profitability. Expensive cars are not always big money makers. Cars like the ZR cost a lot to build.
Some will complain but most of them could not afford a Stingray anyways.
The Corvette has survived 75 years and done so by being culturally relevant. This has made it an icon. Most sports cars live 5-10 years at best. Look around. Yes the Vette has to make money too. It was canceled in 1992 but survived by it being hidden by the staff till the C5 was ready.
No one else has sold one car like this for this many years., Only a Suburban has lived longer. They have to be doing something right.
It will be a limited amount, sure, but it won’t be a one model year deal like the C7 ZR1 was. They only made 2894 of those. I’d imagine we get 2-3 years of the C8 ZR1 and then it will be C9 time.
“It will be limited by the components and the supply that we have,”
Meaning, they are limiting it by design. No one is stopping them from ordering more supplies.
“The big question is just how limited will it be?” Personally, I thought the big question was the MSRP? What is the ZR1 going to cost?
There was a time GM demanded more from their suppliers than just drop off a few when it suits you. Ridiculous they dont find new suppliers for Q9I wheels and high spoilers after two and a half years on constraints. Just in Time has become Just a Joke
With the sports cars you need to limit them to a degree and with the stingray Chevy can. This will keep demand up. Ferrari does not build all they can and limits cars. So do other super cars.
Also we may have one more model to come. It is going to be less than the ZR but may be a track time car. It may be the Zora. There are still some cars out testing and Tadge said the ZR will be the most expensive. I ponder a stripped down car made to do nothing but go fast may be offered. It too would be limited and priced between the Z06 and ZR1
If they build the Zora, it will not be lower than the ZR1 on the totem pole. That would stain the name of the “Father of the Corvette.” There;’s an image of Tadge imprinted on the ZR1, which is a signal that they’re saving the Zora image for something beyond, though it’s hard to imagine going beyond 1064 HP.
Is there a 1500 hp Vette in the future?
Are we having fun yet! Always a trip reading the comments here, lots of varied differences in the thought process. Basically nothing new here
as we’ve all been down this road before in one way or another at one time or another. I know it’s a stupid saying but here goes….
“It is what it is”, Chevy will build what they can, buyers will buy what they can and those of us Corvette owners and Corvette enthusiasts will accept what we can in the way of continued news pertaining to the latest and greatest out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. What we all now know
is that Chevy/GM has built themselves one hell of an amazing sports car no matter what model you’re into, Base…ERay…ZO6 or ZR1 and it’ll only get better when the Zora (if that’s what it’ll actually be called when it makes its debut) when it comes into the scene…whenever that’ll be! 😉🇺🇸
NOTICE..Law of Supply and Demand WILL PREVAIL…Shortages ..whether artificial or real will determine pricing..then add the quotient of greedy dealers who will dig even deeper into the wannabe ZRI OWNERS!..HOLD ON to your wallet ..& bend over in the process too!
Ya GM,
A CAREERS’ ASSURES’ FROM YOU TO BE, A GME/GEM INA PURSUE REE: SÏGN genealogy MARSHAL 1446qaf
Only so many engines can be hand made per year at the Engine Build building GM set up next to Corvette factory. It’s going to take a bit for GM get the right pace with vendors and build rate..
Wish we could get an article on how many engines, builders, allocations to which vehicles, and some pics.