In a world where the hum of electric motors is becoming the new normal, Chevrolet has decided to flip the script and roar back with a throaty growl. Introducing the new Corvette ZR1, revealed with much fanfare at the Concours Club near Miami. And what a beast it is… This isn’t just a car; it’s a statement, boasting the most powerful V8 ever produced in America. We’re talking 1,064 horsepower, 828 lb-ft of torque, and more downforce than a jetliner at full tilt—over 1,200 pounds at top speed, to be precise.
Yes, while everyone else is rushing to plug in, Chevy has gone and stuffed a 5.5L, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V8, whimsically named the LT7, into their latest creation. It’s a brash reminder that internal combustion is far from dead and can still put up a fight against the world’s best supercars. According to Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet, “The team that revolutionized Corvette with a mid-engine architecture took on another challenge: take ZR1 to the next level.” And take it to the next level they did. This isn’t just a car; it’s a rolling, roaring piece of mechanical defiance.
The LT7 engine, which is a turbocharged evolution of the already potent LT6 from the Z06, has a pedigree that demands respect. It’s the first time a factory Corvette has come with twin turbochargers, and the result? A mind-boggling top speed of over 215 mph and a quarter-mile time that would embarrass a fair few dragsters, clocking in at under 10 seconds. To keep everything in check, Chevy has bolstered the 8-speed transmission and gone to town with aerodynamic and cooling enhancements. Think flow-through hoods, carbon fiber ducts, and an air intake system that could probably suck in small birds.
For the truly adventurous, there’s the ZTK performance package, which adds more wings and things than a fighter jet. A high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, and a tall hood Gurney lip—all made from the finest woven carbon fiber. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires and stiffer springs ensure that this Corvette can handle all the power and downforce thrown at it.
Testing this beast has taken place at some of the world’s most iconic tracks, including the Nürburgring, where cars go to prove their mettle, and Road Atlanta. Tadge Juechter, Corvette’s executive chief engineer, noted, “Even our first development tests on-track showed the teams were already exceeding them.” In other words, they knew they had something special right from the start.
Bringing all this madness to a halt is a new carbon ceramic rotor system, with the largest front rotors ever seen on a Corvette. To put it in perspective, the ZR1 can go from 80 to 200 mph and back to 80 mph in just 24.5 seconds—making it 22% quicker than the C7 Corvette ZR1 and 53% quicker than the C6.
And let’s not forget the aesthetic nod to Corvette history with the return of the iconic split window. Last seen on the C2-generation Corvette, this design feature isn’t just a throwback; it’s a design statement for the modern era.
As for the price tag? Well, that remains under wraps for now. But let’s be honest, for those with a burning desire for pure, unadulterated gasoline-fueled adrenaline, the price will likely be just a minor detail.
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- Passenger side view of Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible in Hysteria Purple driving down a mountain road. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- View from above of Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible in Hysteria Purple with the roof down, driving on a mountain road. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Close-up of the rear end on a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible in Hysteria Purple. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Close-up view of ZR1 badge on a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible in Hysteria. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible interior driver’s side view, parked in a garage. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe with ZTK Performance Package driving up a curvy mountain road. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Rear 3/4 view of a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe with ZTK Performance Package, highlighting the split-window rear hatch, driving down a mountain road. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe flow-through hood shown from above. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Rear view of Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe with ZTK Performance Package, looking up at the carbon fiber rear wing and blue sky. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Rear view of Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe with ZTK Performance Package, highlighting the split-window rear hatch, parked in a garage. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Close-up of Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe carbon fiber side profile air ducts. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe interior, looking across the cabin from the driver’s side to passenger side. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s LT7 Small Block 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8 shown in a Coupe. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Front aerial shot of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 coupe in Competition Yellow with optional ZTK Performance Package on the race track. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe with ZTK Performance Package in Competition Yellow and Corvette ZR1 Convertible in Hysteria Purple, viewed from the front. Parked in a garage. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 5.5L LT7 twin-turbocharged DOHC V8. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 5.5L LT7 twin-turbocharged DOHC V8. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 5.5L LT7 twin-turbocharged DOHC V8. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
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- Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 5.5L LT7 twin-turbocharged DOHC V8. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary.
CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
| Type: | LT7 Twin-Turbocharged 5.5L DOHC VVT DI |
| Bore & stroke (in. / mm): | 4.104 x 3.150 / 104.25 x 80 |
| Block Material: | A319 cast aluminum with cast-in iron cylinder liners and four-bolt main bearing caps |
| Oiling System: | Seven-stage dry sump (8-qt. capacity) with oil-spray piston cooling |
| Oil Type: | Dexos R 5W50 synthetic |
| Cylinder Head Material: | A356 T6 cast aluminum |
| Combustion Chamber Volume: | 59.92cc |
| Compression Ratio: | 9.8:1 |
| Valvetrain: | Dual overhead camshafts (four valves per cylinder) with mechanical finger-follower valvetrain and dual-coil valve springs; dual-independent camshaft phasing |
| Valve Size (in. / mm): | 1.77 / 45 titanium (intake) & 1.37 / 35 sodium filled Nimonic (exhaust) |
| Fuel Delivery: | PDI (DI – Max pressure: 5,076 psi (35 Mpa / 350 bar) & Port Fuel Injection) |
| Firing Order: | 1-4-3-8-7-6-5-2 |
| Throttle Body: | Twin 65mm single bore (electronic) |
| Charging: | Twin 76 mono-scroll ported shroud ball bearing turbos (67mm MAR compressor), E-Waste gates |
| Charge Cooling: | Dual engine-mounted water to air charge coolers |
| ECU: | GM E68 (32-bit processing) |
| Horsepower (hp / kW): | 1,064 / 873 @ 7,000 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm): | 828 / 1123 @ 6,000 rpm |
TRANSMISSION & AXLE
| Type: | M1K 8-speed dual clutch (DCT) |
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
| Front Suspension: | Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, forged aluminum upper and cast aluminum L-shape lower control arms; monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0. Specific calibration with available ZTK package. Adjustable front lift with memory is available |
| Rear Suspension: | Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, forged aluminum upper and cast aluminum L-shape lower control arms; direct-acting stabilizer bar; monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0. Specific calibration with available ZTK package |
| Steering Type: | Variable-ratio rack-and-pinion with electric power assist; includes Active Steer Stops |
| Steering ratio: | 15.7:1 |
| Turning Circle (ft. / m): | 38 / 11.1 |
| Brake Type: | Front and rear eBoost-assisted carbon ceramic discs with six-piston/monobloc front calipers and four-piston/monobloc rear calipers |
| Brake Rotor Size (in. / mm): | Front: 15.7 x 1.5 / 400 x 38 Rear: 15.4 x 1.3 / 390 x 34 |
| Wheel Size: | Front: 20-inch x 10-inch (w/5 x 120mm bolt pattern) Rear: 21-inch x 13-inch (w/5 x 130mm bolt pattern) |
| Tire Size: | Front: 275/30ZR20 Rear: 345/25ZR21 |
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Wheelbase (in. / mm): | 107 / 2723 |
| Overall Length (in. / mm): | 185.9 / 4722 |
| Overall Width without mirrors (in. / mm): | 79.7 / 2025 |
| Overall Height (in. / mm): | 48.6 / 1234 |
| Track (in. / mm): | Front: 66.3 / 1685 Rear: 66.1 / 1678 |
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
| Headroom (in. / mm): | 37.9 / 963 |
| Legroom (in. / mm): | 42.8 / 1087 |
| Shoulder Room (in. / mm): | 54.4 / 1382 |
| Hip Room (in. / mm): | 52 / 1321 |
WEIGHTS & CAPACITIES
| Dry Weight (lb. / kg): | 3670 / 1665 (coupe) 3758 / 1705 (convertible) |
| Cargo Volume (cu. ft. / L)1: | 9.1 / 258 |
Greg has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.