Chevrolet just pulled the wraps off the 2025 Corvette ZR1, and it’s a monster. This isn’t just a revival of a legendary name; it’s a full-blown King of the Hill packing the most powerful V8 ever from an American car company.
With a nod to history in its split rear window design, the new ZR1, in both coupe and convertible, is gunning for the world’s top supercars.
Under the hood is the all-new LT7 engine — a 5.5-liter V8 with twin turbos and a flat-plane crank that screams to a 7,000 rpm redline.
It cranks out an incredible 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. Chevy wants everyone to know this is not just the Z06’s LT6 engine with turbos bolted on.
The LT7, part of the Gemini V8 family, has been almost completely reengineered for boost, featuring unique head castings, an optimized valvetrain, a new intake system, and CNC-machined components designed for the immense pressure. The first question is will this power plant be available through Chevrolet Performance catalog. The second is who will be the first person to stuff it into a first-get Camaro, Chevelle or early Corvette?
All that power means great speed. Chevy says the ZR1 will blast past 215.0 mph on a track and rip through the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds. It can also go from 80 mph up to 200 mph and then back down to 80 mph in a stunning 24.50 seconds.
Chevrolet is being modest when it says it will blast past 215 mph. Back in October, it released a video where GM President Mark Reuss achieved a top speed of 233 mph on a closed track.
An upgraded eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and massive new carbon-ceramic brakes – the biggest front rotors ever on a Corvette – are tasked with keeping everything under control.
To stick to the track, the ZR1 uses a smart carbon-fiber aero package that creates over 1,200 pounds of downforce. Buyers can choose a standard setup with a lower drag profile for balanced road and track use.
For ultimate track performance, the optional ZTK package adds an aggressive high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, and a stiffer suspension.
Scott Bell, Chevrolet’s Vice President, noted, “Corvette ZR1 is about pushing the envelope with raw power and cutting-edge innovation. From Stingray to Z06, E-Ray, and now ZR1, the Corvette family continues to elevate with each new iteration — and challenge the best in the world.”
Considered to be the most powerful V8, the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is Chevy’s clear message: American engineering can dominate the supercar stage. You can access the complete information by clicking here.
Next up for the Corvette? Allegedly, the Corvette Zora, named after the car’s first chief engineer, Zora Arkus Duntov, which is rumored to have all-wheel-drive and possibly electric assist, with a total horsepower of just under 1,300.