The Chevrolet brand of General Motors Co. in Detroit has unveiled the 2025 Corvette ZR1, equipped with what the automaker is calling the most powerful V-8 engine ever produced in America by an auto manufacturer.
The Corvette ZR1 features a 5.5-liter, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V-8 engine dubbed the LT7. It produces 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm, per SAE guidelines, the most power ever from a factory Corvette and the most powerful V-8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer, according to Chevrolet.
The vehicle boasts a GM-estimated top speed of more than 215 mph on the racetrack and will dispatch the quarter mile with a GM-estimated sub-10-second time. The car’s carbon fiber aero package creates more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed and revives one of the most iconic styles in Corvette history: the split rear window.
“We didn’t approach this decision lightly, we know this is a beloved element from Corvette’s history,” says Phil Zak, executive design director for Chevrolet. “Not only does this element provide function, but we were able to integrate passionate design into the form and do it in a way that paid homage to Corvette’s history. ZR1 felt like the right time to bring the split-window back.”
Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet, says, “The team that revolutionized Corvette with a mid-engine architecture took on another challenge: take ZR1 to the next level. 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.”
Unique to the 5.5-liter LT7 twin-turbo V-8 are:
- Head castings with unique ports and a larger combustion chamber.
- Valve train timing and lift profile optimized for forced induction with higher exhaust temp enabling exhaust valves.
- Completely new intake system tuned for twin turbochargers.
- CNC machined combustion chamber, exhaust and intake ports specific to the LT7.
- Dual, ported shroud, ball bearing, mono-scroll (76 mm) turbochargers integrated with the exhaust manifold to reduce the volume and distance from the exhaust valve to the turbine wheel for quick response with electronic wastegates.
- Intelligent anti-lag engine calibration techniques specifically for ZR1 that adapt and react to driving style.
Aerodynamics provide the most downforce ever from a Corvette with more 1,200 pounds at top speed, according to Chevrolet.
The standard Corvette ZR1 chassis arrives with a sleeker body with lower drag and a small spoiler with customer-adjustable short and tall wickers. It also includes a standard carbon-fiber front splitter, rocker moldings, side intake with integrated brake cooling, and front underwing with stall Gurney deflectors. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrap 20-inch front, and 21-inch rear wheels. The standard chassis blends the best of on-road comfort and track capability with this setup.
Corvette ZR1-specific aerodynamic and cooling changes found throughout the car include:
Flow-through hood: Air enters the front grille, flows through the intercooler heat exchanger and exits the hood to increase front downforce and cool charged air temperatures.
Carbon fiber side profile air ducts: Clean, cool air is funneled through ducts, which are cleanly integrated into the signature wishbone bezel behind the cabin doors to cool the rear brakes through an intricately designed system that doesn’t impact rear wheel travel.
Unique fresh air intake ducts: Carbon fiber inlets located on top of the coupe rear hatch ingest air to cool the turbo compressor inlet air temperatures.
Corvette ZR1’s optional ZTK performance package unlocks a true track weapon. Notably, the ZTK package adds an aggressive, high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, and a tall hood Gurney lip – all constructed from woven carbon fiber. Underneath, underbody strakes replace the standard front underwing stall Gurney to increase front downforce.
The suspension tuning included in the ZTK package incorporates stiffer springs and adds Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. Amid testing and development, the ZR1 tackled some the world’s most demanding racetracks, including the Nürburgring, Road Atlanta, and Virginia International Raceway.
“We went into the ZR1 program with lofty goals, but even our first development tests on-track showed the teams were already exceeding them,” says Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer for Corvette. “As we worked to develop this car, we continued to leap past expectations, and we knew we had a special Corvette on our hands.”
The Corvette ZR1 will provide a roster of customization between exterior and interior colors. Shared with the 2025 Corvette lineup, new colors such as Competition Yellow, Hysteria Purple, and Sebring Orange headline updates. The latter recalls a fan-favorite hue from the previous C7-generation Corvette ZR1.
Inside, a new Habanero interior is available, as is a Blue Stitch option. Various full-length racing stripes, brake caliper colors, including an exclusive blue for the calipers, seat belt colors and more also will be available.
The Corvette ZR1’s cockpit dials up the attention to detail, notably with unique ZR1 badging found on an interior plaque, the sill plates and steering wheel. A new finishing stitch pattern for the doors, specific to ZR1, is available on the 3LZ trim. A boost gauge is also present, denoting the first factory turbocharged Corvette in the nameplate’s history.
Additional changes to the 2025 Corvette ZR1 include:
- A carbon fiber roof to reduce mass and lower the center of gravity for both coupe and convertible.
- Unique aluminum wheel design available in four finishes, including Edge Blue — an homage to ZR1’s signature color cue.
- Optional new carbon-fiber wheel design, exclusive to ZR1, to further reduce mass
- LT7 engine intake finished in Edge Blue — delivering an engine that looks as good as it performs.
- Optional new carbon-fiber wheel design, exclusive to ZR1, to reduce un-sprung mass by 42.8 pounds.
