2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: The Most Insane Vette Ever Created?

You’re not going to believe what Chevrolet has done with the new 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. You thought the Corvette Z06 track monster was crazy, or the hybrid-electric Corvette E-Ray was a lot to swallow? You ain’t seen nothing yet, because wait until you get a load of this: The Corvette ZR1 has 1,064 horsepower and 828 pounds-feet of torque from a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter LT7 V-8 engine, and its optional Carbon Fiber Aerodynamics Package can generate more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.

Related: 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Biding Time Until ZR1 Debuts

That top speed is more than 215 mph, says Chevrolet, but the brand hasn’t actually nailed down a final number. In its first-ever launch test at GM’s test track in Milford, Mich., the ZR1 ripped off a sub-10-second quarter-mile time. It has bigger brakes, unique optional wheels and a beefed-up transmission, and you can even get one as a convertible.

We don’t know how much it will cost, and it won’t be available until “sometime in 2025,” according to Chevy brass, but consider this: The reason Chevy is unveiling it to the public now, without all the numbers fully finalized, is because it’s reached the limit of the development testing it can do with the camouflage in place. It had to unveil the new ZR1 so Chevy engineers could finish all the high-speed and track testing. And so here it is.

The LT7: More Than a Boosted LT6

Everything about the 2025 ZR1 centers around two areas: the new engine and the new aero. The engine, referred to by Chevy as a “Small Block Gemini” engine, is a lot more than just an LT6 with two turbochargers, and it’s different enough from the C8’s standard powerplant that it gets a new name: LT7. Both engines were developed in parallel (hence the “Gemini” twins name) and share a basic architecture: a common flat-plane crank and a common block, for instance.

But the list of updates for the LT7 is lengthy: head castings with unique ports, larger CNC machined combustion chambers, unique valve-train timing, a new intake system, and of course, two mono-scroll turbochargers that have been integrated into the exhaust manifold. There are counterweight changes for the crank accommodating special pistons and connecting rods, and a secondary port fuel injection system has been added to help keep the fuel pumping.

The result is an explosive 1,064 horsepower and 828 pounds-feet of torque at peak rpm. Even more extraordinary, the engine can deliver 800 pounds-feet in a flat curve from 3,000-6,500 rpm thanks to those electronically controlled tunable turbos. All that power goes to the rear wheels through a beefed-up eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which features upgraded inner and outer input shafts; increased gear capacity with stronger shot-peened gears; boosted oil management for better vehicle longitudinal and lateral capability; and more capable control valves for higher required clutch clamp load.

Stopping the ZR1 are the largest front brakes ever fitted to a Corvette: new 15.7-inch carbon-ceramic rotors. Out back, you’ll find 15.4-inch rotors. There are staggered wheel sizes, as well, with 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rears shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. An optional carbon-fiber wheel design unique to the ZR1 is reportedly even lighter than those offered on the Z06.

What’s all that mean? The ZR1 makes a lot of power, has the ability to put that power down a lot better and can stop more effectively. It all makes the ZR1 not just a track monster, but a usable daily supercar. Corvette engineers said the ZR1 is meant to be “softer” than the Z06 and more focused on top speed capability than circuit times.

Purposely Swoopy

The other aspect of the ZR1 is its greatly enhanced aerodynamics. All that power and chassis tuning is useless if the car just slides all over or can’t put the power down, so Corvette engineers went to work making sure that downforce is paramount. The first big change comes up front, where the Corvette’s frunk has been replaced by a flow-through aerodynamic channel that houses two charge air coolers to drop the charge air temperature to the engine. The rear brakes are cooled by special inlets in the side “wishbone” trim, and fresh air is taken in through unique ducts on top of the rear fenders to cool the turbocharger intake air.

If you specify the ZTK Performance Package, you also get front dive planes, a taller “Gurney lip” hood, a huge rear wing and carbon-fiber sills to greatly increase the car’s aerodynamic downforce. With all the other mods, the package can generate more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed, according to Chevy engineers. It also includes a more aggressive suspension tune and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2-R tires (if you just want the aero package, you can get that by itself on the standard ZR1).

The ZR1 also marks the return of the rear split-window coupe treatment, which was previewed on the Z06 GT3R.2 race car and is a nod to the C2 generation. It’s not only a design element, however; it’s also an aerodynamic aid meant to help with heat extraction from the engine compartment, something that’s critical given there are two high-rpm turbochargers in there. Additionally, carbon fiber is employed heavily all over the ZR1, including its roof, to keep weight down.

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Other Unique ZR1 Aspects

From a cosmetic standpoint, Chevy didn’t go crazy changing things for the ZR1. There’s a unique wheel design available in four finishes, including Edge Blue, the ZR1’s signature color. That same blue is present on the LT7’s engine cover, as well.

The interior gets very minor changes, including a ZR1 badging on a plaque, sill plates and steering wheel. There’s some unique stitching for the doors available on the 3LZ trim, and there’s a boost gauge present, something never before seen on a factory Corvette. The ZR1 can be had with blue stitching as an option, an assortment of racing stripe designs, brake caliper colors (including a ZR1-exclusive blue) and more.

Pricing and Availability

Chevrolet says that the 2025 Corvette ZR1 will go on sale sometime next year, but it’s not entirely sure when; it just depends when development is completed and the Bowling Green, Ky., plant ramps up. Pricing will also be announced closer to the on-sale date. If you’re looking for the baddest Corvette ever to come out of a Chevy showroom, however, you better get on the good side of your local dealer — the price premiums and availability are sure to be jaw-dropping, if the Z06 introductory prices were any indication.

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