The Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1 was introduced for the 2025 model year, and stands as the first production-spec turbocharged Corvette ever manufactured.
Quick Facts
Model Years | 2025 – Present |
Platform | Y2 |
Engines | Twin-Turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 |
Transmissions | Eight-Speed Dual-Clutch Auto |
Production | GM Bowling Green Plant, Kentucky, U.S.A. |
Availability | U.S.A., Canada, Mexico |
Overview
Model Years | 2025 – Present |
Assembly Location | GM Bowling Green Plant, Kentucky, U.S.A. |
Availability | U.S.A., Canada, Mexico |
Layout | Mid-Engined, Longitudinal |
Engine(s) | Twin-Turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 |
Transmission(s) | Eight-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
Drive Wheels | Rear-Wheel Drive |
Platform | Y2 |
Refresh(es) | N/A |
Making its official debut on July 25th, 2024, the Corvette C8 ZR1 took over as the range-topping Corvette C8 prior to the release of the Corvette C8 Zora. Building upon the Corvette C8 Z06 and its naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine, the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is headlined by its powerplant, the twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine, which develops 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque, making it by-far the most powerful factory Corvette ever.
“We went into the ZR1 program with lofty goals, but even our first development tests on-track showed the teams were already exceeding them,” Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter stated. “As we worked to develop this car, we continued to leap past expectations, and we knew we had a special Corvette on our hands.”
Powertrain
Utilizing the aforementioned LT6 as a platform to build on, the LT7 featured a number of unique upgrades in order to handle the lofty output figures, including:
- Additional block and head machining
- Counterweight changes
- Secondary port fuel injection system
- Head castings with unique ports and a larger combustion chamber
- Valve train timing and lift profile optimization
- All-new intake system
- CNC-machined combustion chamber, exhaust and intake ports
- Dual, ported shroud, ball bearing, mono-scroll 76-mm turbochargers
- Anti-lag calibration techniques
Beyond the powerplant, the transmission in the Corvette C8 ZR1 also received extensive revisions, including:
- Upgraded inner and outer input shafts
- Increased gear capacity with shot peening for all gears
- Final drive refinements
- Better oil management
- Increased control valves
Year | Engine | Fuel | Aspiration | Transmission | Horsepower @ RPM | Torque @ RPM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 – Present | 5.5L V8 LT7 | Gasoline | Twin-Turbocharged | Eight-Speed Dual-Clutch Auto | 1,064 @ 7000 | 828 @ 6800 |
Despite the additional of two turbochargers, the LT7 retained the LT6’s rev-happy nature by way of its 32-valve, DOHC, flat-plane crank valvetrain. All engines were hand-built at the Performance Build Center, which is apart of the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
Aerodynamics
With that much performance on tap, the 2025 Corvette ZR1 needed an aero kit to match. With that in mind, there were two distinct setups available. The standard model featured a small lip spoiler with adjustable short and tall wickers, as well as a carbon fiber front splitter, rocker moldings, side intake with integrated brake cooling, and front underwing with stall gurney deflectors. Additional aerodynamic pieces include a flow-through hood with a heat exchanger, along with carbon fiber side profile air ducts.
Opting for the high-performance ZTK package adds a carbon fiber high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, hood Gurney lip, and underbody strakes, as well as stiffer springs and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
All told the Corvette C8 ZR1 is capable of producing 1,200 pounds of downforce.
Additional Features
The Corvette C8 ZR1 features a number of additional upgrades over lower Corvette C8 variants, including:
- Split rear window
- Carbon fiber roof
- Unique aluminum wheel designs
- Edge Blue-finished engine intake
- Optional carbon fiber wheels
Body Styles
Like all other Corvette C8 models, the C8 ZR1 is available in two body styles:
- A two-door coupe with a removable hard top panel
- A two-door convertible with a retractable hardtop
Pricing
Coming soon.
Other Corvette C8 Variants
The Corvette C8 ZR1 was one of many model variants in the Corvette C8 range, which will consist of:
- C8 Stingray – the base Corvette that a great all-round performer
- C8 Z06 – a track-focused, all-motor missile
- C8 E-Ray – a new model that hybridizes the Stingray, gives it a wide body treatment and AWD
- The E-Ray will indirectly take the place of the Grand Sport
- C8 Grand Sport – a lightweight model that uses the Z06 body with the motor from the Stingray
- Model will not come to market, and will be indirectly represented by Corvette E-Ray
- C8 ZR1 – the range-topping, non-hybrid flagship slotting beneath the Zora focused on comfortable yet capable touring and cruising
- C8 Zora – the undisputed range-topping flagship with a hybrid-electric drivetrain and AWD capability
Sales
See Corvette C8 sales numbers for global markets.
Discussion
Discuss the Corvette C8 ZR1 in our Chevrolet forum.
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