The New Corvette ZR1 Packs An Astounding 1064 Horsepower

The Corvette ZR1

The Corvette ZR1 has joined the exclusive 1000 hp club headlined by cars like Revuelto and SF90 Stradale. While being a lot more affordable than them both combined, fingers crossed. (Prices are TBD). It packs a 5.5L, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine code-named “Gemini LT7” and brings back the iconic “split window" rear design.

The engine features a dry sump, aluminum pistons, titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves. There are a couple of ball bearing, mono scroll 67 mm turbos which help the V8 to dispense 1,064 hp @7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft @ 6000rpm. 

The engine is mated to an upgraded 8-speed DCT and also features dual overhead camshafts with mechanical finger-followers and a 9.8:1 compression ratio with both port and direct injection.

“Everything you see on the outside of the ZR1 has functional purpose – and many of them have more than one functional purpose.

Josh Holder-Corvette Chief Engineer 

The Corvette is always known for its handling and the new ZR1 is no exception. It features Michelin Sport Cup 4s as standard and comes with an al ceramic brakes front and rear measuring 15.7 inches in front and 15.4 inches at the rear. Magnetic Selective Ride Control and double wishbone suspension on the front handle the handling (pun intended) duties.

What's the ZTK Package with the Corvette ZR1?

For Those looking to track their ZR1 can opt for the ZTK package which will be able to generate 1200 pounds of downforce thanks to all carbon rear wing, front dive planes, underbody strakes, and a tall hood Gurney's lip, special damper tuning, and Michelin Cup R rubber measuring a staggering 345 mm at the rear shod on 20-inch front and 21 inch rear wheels.

Despite packing all this the Corvette ZR1 is surprisingly light at 3670 pounds for coupe and 3758 for the convertible. As for the performance Chevy claims it will do well past 200 mph and would be easily able to run a sub 10 second ¼ mile.

When will Corvette “ZORA” arrive?

Named after the fabled Zora Arkus Duntov AKA the “father of Corvette”, The Corvette Zora will be a highly exclusive and could pack no-holds-barred 1200 hp plus that might debut around 2026-2027.

It will likely be an unhinged combination of ZR-1’s engine and Stingray’s hybrid setup that will put enough power through its AWD system to seek and destroy Europeans like SF90 and Revuelto.

Everything about this car is mere speculation at this point except the fact that it is happening. The Corvette Zora will be the peak of the C8 platform and will reset the benchmark by being one of the fastest all-American hypercars ever built.

Sure, Turbo-AWD-Hybrid underpinnings will add some weight penalty but the likely high four-figure hp will be enough to leave every one of its lucky drivers in a wide-eyed profanity-riddled frenzy. 

Unlike the C8 Z06 and Stingray, the Corvette “Zora” is expected to be made in very limited numbers and will likely be offered to previous 2025 ZR1 owners first. 

Image Source- Chevrolet Press