Yahoo Autos 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vs ZR1: Pitting two American legends head-to-head
The Chevrolet Corvette has been America’s darling sports car since its introduction in 1953. While its competitors have come and gone, the Corvette lasted through the ages with a reputation for cutting-edge performance and distinctive styling unlike anything on the market. That alone was mind-blowing for most owners, but some wanted more. They wanted to represent the red, white, and blue at the track, and Chevy was more than happy to oblige.
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The Z06 and ZR1 turned the Corvette into a track monster
In 1963, famed engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov introduced the Z06 package on the C2, giving those with the pockets for it a race-ready Corvette from the factory.
In 1970, the ZR1 followed suit on the C3 Corvette as a $1,221 option that beefed up the engine and removed convenience features like power windows, power steering, air conditioning, a rear-window defogger, wheel covers, or a radio. This was a competition car, and you felt it through and through.
The latest generation of the Corvette, the C8, is ground-breaking in its own right for being the first Corvette to have a rear mid-engine configuration. The base 6.2 L L2 crossplane OHV V8 engine puts out 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, 40 hp and 10 lb-ft more than the previous C7 Corvette.
As with previous Corvettes, such as the C6, both Z06 and ZR1 packages are available for enthusiasts wishing to spice up their experience in either coupe or convertible body style. Both are fast, don’t get us wrong, but some key differences may sway you to opt for one over the other.
The C8 Corvette Z06’s NA 5.5 L LT6 V8 seems tame compared to the ZR1’s twin-turbo 5.5 L LT7 V8
Chevrolet
Despite the lower displacement when compared to the base C8 engine, the Z06’s LT6 benefits from a cast aluminum block, forged aluminum pistons, forged titanium connecting rods, and other goodies allowing it to scream out 670 hp at an insane 8,400 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is the same but with a shorter final drive ratio for better acceleration and a 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds. Top speed is 195 mph.
Chevrolet
The ZR1’s LT7 is equipped with two turbos for a total of 1,064 hp at 7,000 rpm and 828 ft-lb of torque. Despite also using the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, the top speed for the ZR1 is 215 mph. While Chevy has yet to release an official 0-60 mph time, their advertised sub-10-second quarter-mile time will likely lead to an even lower 0-60 time.
Related: How the 2025 Corvette ZR1 moved from supercar to hypercar
Both the Z06 and ZR1 take advantage of aero tricks
Chevrolet
Less drag and more downforce are the key concepts for both. The Z06 comes with a front splitter and stall gurneys in the front, while a rear spoiler with a detachable Gurney flap produced 365 lb of downforce at 186 mph. Owners who want even more downforce can opt for the Z07 carbon fiber performance package that enlarges the front splitter, adds canards, a pedestal-mounted rear wing, underbody aero strakes, and removes the stall gurneys for even more downforce. The Z06 also comes standard with Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tires on 20-inch wheels up front and 21 inches in the back.
Chevrolet
The ZR1 brings new additions to keep the extra horses planted to the pavement including a flow-through hood, carbon fiber side ducts for the rear brakes, and roof-mounted ducts for cooling the turbos. In the same way as the Z07 carbon fiber package, ZR1 owners can get the ZTK Performance Pack for stiffer springs, Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, underbody strakes, as well as carbon fiber high-downforce rear wing, front canards, and a tall hood Gurney lip. The wheel sizes remain the same.
The interior stays nice and comfy in both cars
Leather, metal, and suede encompass the inside of both the Z06 and ZR1, providing a cushy place for drivers to put the pedal to the floor. Behind the squared-off steering wheel is a 12.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display that adds a turbo-boost gauge in the ZR1. The large infotainment touchscreen is angled toward the driver while the “button pedestal” gives easy access to some essential features.
Chevrolet
You have to make sure people know you have a ZR1 though, if the exterior aero bits didn’t already give it away. Chevy agrees and has included a ZR1 plaque on the inside, special sill plates, and steering-wheel graphics.
Related: 2025 Audi Q7: Sharpens its style, enhances tech, and stays relevant in the luxury SUV game
The ZR1 strays away from the 2LZ trim, but will include the 1LZ and 3LZ
The Z06 comes in three trim levels, the 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ, all available in either coupe or convertible configuration. Each one adds various interior luxury features depending on how comfy you want your track experience to be.
Of note are the removable roof panel and 8-way power GT1 seats in the 1LZ, Bose Performance Series 14-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated seats with lumbar/wing adjust in the 2LZ, and a carbon fiber-trimmed steering wheel, leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors, sueded microfiber upper interior trim, and leather/carbon-fiber GT2 seats in the 3LZ.
Chevrolet
The ZR1’s 1LZ and 3LZ include the same features as they do on the Z06. The 3LZ trim stands out with a geometric stitch pattern on the door paired with stitching on both the steering wheel and seats in either yellow or blue.
Exceptional value for supercar-level performance
In its base 1LZ configuration, the C8 Corvette Z06 starts at $111,795 as a coupe and $118,795 as a convertible. In the highest-trim 3LZ, the Z06 Coupe starts at $128,940 with the convertible climbing to $135,940.
Chevy has yet to announce a price for the C8 Corvette ZR1, but some are expecting a starting price for the ZR1 to be anywhere from $150,000 to $180,000 for the 1LZ $200,000 to $220,000 for the 3LZ. Factor in the price increases for a convertible version, and you’re likely to see those figures go even higher.
Final thoughts
We won’t pretend like there is a winner here. Both cars are incredible in their own right and offer performance figures that you won’t find anywhere else for this price. Some might even argue that the performance figures put the C8 in the supercar category with the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, and Lamborghini.
Regardless of your opinion on that, it’s hard to argue that playing for the home team has its advantages, and both the Z06 and ZR1 will give some supercar owners a run for their money whether on the street or on the track.
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