General Motors unveiled the C8 Corvette ZR1 last July, following up the initial debut with an official pricing information announcement earlier this year. Long story short, the C8 ZR1 is the fastest, most-powerful production Corvette ever made. However, prior to the debut of the C8 ZR1, the title of most-powerful production Corvette belonged to the C7 Corvette ZR1. Now, these two GM behemoths are going full throttle in a side-by-side performance test at Virginia International Raceway.
C7 ZR1 left, C8 ZR1 right
First and foremost, let’s briefly review the specs, starting with the C8 ZR1. The big ticket item here is undoubtedly the mid-mounted, twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine, rated at an astonishing 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm. All of that go is sent exclusively to the rear wheels by way of the beefed-up eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while carbon ceramic brakes are standard. It’s unclear if the example featured in the video is equipped with the optional ZTK Performance Package (RPO code ZTK) or optional ZR1 Carbon Fiber Aero Package (RPO code TOM).
C8 ZR1
Meanwhile, the C7 Corvette ZR1 features the front-mounted, supercharged 6.2L LT5 V8, delivering 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The C7 ZR1 offered both a seven-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed automatic, while aerodynamically, the body was equipped with an aggressive front splitter and a massive rear wing for a big boost in downforce. Magnetic Ride Control suspension, track-tuned handling systems, and carbon-ceramic brakes round it out.
Check out a more thorough comparison between the C8 ZR1 and C7 ZR1 right here.
The video is a little under three minutes long and shows a single lap at VIR, with the view split side-by-side between the C8 ZR1 on the left and the C7 ZR1 on the right, providing an easy comparison as the two sports cars pound around the track. The graphic overlay includes engine rpm, vehicle speed, and braking inputs.
We’ll let readers watch the video for themselves rather than spoil the outcome, but it’s definitely worth a viewing if you love Corvette performance:
Comments
I would take a C7 ZR1 over the C8 ZR1 I am not a fan of the mid engine car the C7 looks more aggressive than the C8 C7 all the way
To each their own. I would be grateful to have either car in my garage.
I got to see both engines on a stand in the engine building room at the factory August 2024. Both impressive, amazing, fantastic. But I tend to lean into overhead cams, higher rpms. I like modern advances in tech. Kinda like jets came along and awesome propellor planes were phased out , but propellor planes still get lots of attention. You will like what you like. But technology marches ever forward and with it some pretty amazing things come about. The PDR option, Performance Data Recorder is available on both cars, and really does provide a great way to see all that is happening in the cockpit. I hope everyone here gets a chance to enjoy either one of these great cars. Personally I am starting to think a C6 or C7 for daily use and other cars for special events or track. They are just different animals.
On my way to a job today I rode about a 2 miles behind a new Vette. I thought to myself Now I know now why some consider the rear end ugly. For one thing it doesn’t match the rest of the car. Secondly the rear deck is designed around racing. Thirdley you would never get them give it a more traditional look of a Corvette by giving it traditional round tail lights…. Not too much to ask is it Corvette design team?
Fourthly, that’s not how you spell thirdly.
The reason why some Corvette owners prefer the C7 front Installed power plant. They would rather be pulled fast than pushed….You can’t blame em’.
C7 ZR-1…….NO QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!
Either or would be nice but let’s face facts.
The C8 ate the C7’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner around that track