2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Is a 1,064-HP Monster

• Powering the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is a 5.5-liter DOHC V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft that makes 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque.
  

• Power travels to the rear through an upgraded eight-speed transaxle.

• The high-performance ZTK package adds a big wing, underbody aero, and dive planes to generate up to 1,200 pounds of downforce.

We all knew the ZR1 was coming, thanks to a long rollout of teasers, but few outside of the GM tech center in Warren, Michigan, knew what was coming—until now. The ’25 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 packs the most impressive spec sheet that has ever made its way to a Corvette.

Behind the driver is a 5.5-liter V8 that sends 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed transaxle and to the rear wheels. Taking advantage of that extra oomph, the Corvette engineering team dreamed up an optional aero package that they say is good for 1,200 pounds of downforce.

Oh yeah, and the team brought back the legendary, if visually inconvenient, split rear window.

Without question, the 5.5-liter V8 is the star of the ZR1’s show. Dubbed LT7, this V8 shares much of its same architecture with the 5.5-liter engine in the 670-hp Z06.

That means this over-the-top V8 still packs a flat-plane crankshaft in the bottom end, and a pair of camshafts handle the valves over each cylinder bank. Helping squeeze 394 hp more out of 5.5 liters, the team at Chevrolet slapped a pair of turbochargers onto this V8.

A major downside is the slight reduction in peak engine speed, and this LT7 will only spin to 8,000 RPM, while the LT6 engine in the Z06 stretches its legs to 8,600 RPM.

You’re probably thinking there’s no way GM just slapped a pair of turbochargers onto the Z06’s engine and called it a day—you’re right. This LT7 V8 features a series of upgrades to handle the increased punishment from the 76-mm turbochargers.

This LT7 sports bigger wrist pins, revised pistons, revised connecting rods, and an extra oil scavenging stage. Adding to the list of new parts is a set of cylinder heads, camshafts, and a redesigned intake manifold with two throttle bodies.

Managing that power is still an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, which throws power exclusively to the rear wheels. However, like the engine, the concept is the same as the Z06, but the internals were overhauled to handle stress.

Inside this automatic transmission is a new set of gears, which have been shot peened to help with durability, increased output and input shaft size, and revised valve turning to handle different engine characteristics.

The folks at Chevy also reworked the Corvette’s body to maximize the cooling efforts. What Chevy calls a flow-through hood furthers charge cooling and adds some front downforce. Fresh air ducts were added to the quarters to help cool the rear brakes, and ducts were added to the engine cover to feed the turbochargers.

The ZR1 has a predictably advanced brake package. Carbon-ceramic rotors spanning 15.7 inches in the front and 15.4 inches in the rear are clamped by six-piston and four-piston calipers, respectively.

According to Chevy, this brake package can run from 80 mph to 200 mph and back to 80 mph in only 24.5 seconds, which is a 22% improvement over the C7 ZR1. That’s impressive.

With an estimated 215-mph top speed, the folks at Chevy needed an aero package to make the most out of that moving air. When optioned with the ZTK package, your C8 ZR1 will add 1,200 pounds of downforce at speed, which should help you squeeze out the most from your lap times.

This ZTK package comes with a massive rear wing, front dive planes, and a revised underbody aero. Stiffer springs and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Rs also join the mix with the ZTK package.

If the optional aero package wasn’t enough to set this ZR1 apart from the rest of the C8 lineup, Chevrolet is reintroducing the split rear window. This one-year-only rear window design returns to the Corvette after a 60-year hiatus and uses a structural beam that is available in body color or exposed carbon-fiber weave.

On the inside, the C8 ZR1 isn’t drastically different than the rest of the C8 lineup. Chevy is adding some ZR1 badging and an interior plaque to remind you of the 1,064 hp under your right foot. There is an added boost gauge, which you won’t find on the rest of the C8 lineup from the factory.

All of these rides are on a set of 20-inch front or 21-inch rear alloy wheels that are available in four finishes. Or you can add a set of optional carbon-fiber wheels to shave even more rotating weight.

You’re probably wondering about the price. Well, that’s locked away inside of a GM exec’s filing cabinet, until the launch date arrives in 2025. However, if you look at the C8 Z06 spec sheet, and then its $115,390 price tag, you might want to start saving some pennies for this Corvette ZR1.

How much do you think the Corvette ZR1 will cost? Tell us your thoughts below.