Chevrolet has unveiled the new Corvette ZR1, a 1,000-horsepower track weapon that is head and shoulders above the current Stingray and Z06 in terms of specs and performance.
Making a return after five years, the new C8 ZR1 will be available in both coupe and convertible formats. It is also officially the fastest and most powerful ‘Vette yet, courtesy of a heavily updated engine.
Dubbed the LT7, the new engine is essentially an evolved and uprated version of the 5.5L flat-plane crank small-block V8 in the Z06 but with dual turbochargers. Output is rated at a tremendous 1,064 hp at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm, making it the most powerful American-made V8 engine yet. This is a whopping 309 hp and 113 lb-ft more than what we got from the old supercharged V8-powered C7 ZR1.
Chevrolet says it achieved this output by resurfacing the engine block to support better turbo cooling and oiling, and adding a secondary fuel injection system.
The brand has also updated the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with input shaft upgrades, increasing the gear capacity, refining the final drive ratio, and increasing the oil management system's efficiency.
Chevrolet has also overhauled the exterior to prioritize aerodynamics.
The new Corvette ZR1 will be available in two chassis styles. The base version features a sleeker body with lower drag and a small spoiler with customer-adjustable short and tall wickers that aid in increasing downforce.
In addition, it includes a carbon fibre front splitter, rocker mouldings to enhance rigidity, side intakes with integrated brake cooling, and a front underwing with stall gurney deflectors. This package also sees Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrapping the 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
The new flow-through hood allows the air to enter through the front grille and pass through the intercooler heat exchange before exiting the hood, increasing front downforce and cooling.
Carbon fibre side profile air ducts help funnel air to cool the rear brakes, and air intake ducts located on top of the coupe’s rear hatch help cool the turbo compressor.
The second chassis style is the optional ZTK performance package that’s been designed specifically for track use. This includes a woven carbon fibre high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, and a hood-mounted gurney lip.
This package replaces the front underwing stall gurney of the base chassis style with underbody strakes to increase front downforce. The package also incorporates stiffer springs as part of the suspension tuning and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2-R tires.
The Corvette ZR1 sees the introduction of a new braking system with carbon ceramic rotors to increase durability and reduce brake component temperatures. As part of the package, the front rotors have been enlarged to 400 mm in diameter, while the rear ones have grown to 390 mm.
Chevy says that this new system allows the Corvette ZR1 to go from 128 to 321 km/h and back to 128 km/h in just 24.5 seconds, making it 22 per cent quicker than the C7 Corvette ZR1, and 53 per cent quicker than the C6 Corvette ZR1.
Aside from the several aero and mechanical changes, the blueprint design of the mid-engined Corvette has mostly stayed the same except for the return of the split window design. Last seen on the C2 Corvette and previewed on the Corvette Z06 GT3.R race car, the split window consists of a carbon fibre or body-colour spine between the two rear windows, providing increased heat extraction from the engine compartment.
Other updates include the carbon fibre roof to reduce mass and lower the centre of gravity, new wheel designs available in four colours, and an optional carbon fibre wheel design.
The Corvette ZR1’s cockpit sees new visual updates like the unique ZR1 badging on the interior plaque, sill plates and steering wheel, along with a new finishing stitch pattern for the doors specific to the model’s 3LZ trim. There is also a boost gauge, denoting the first factory turbocharged Corvette in the nameplate’s history.
New exterior colours like Competition Yellow, Hysteria Purple, Sebring Orange, and a new Habanero interior scheme will be available.
Production for the Corvette ZR1 is set to begin in 2025, when it will be built at General Motors’ Bowling Green assembly plant in Kentucky. Chevrolet says that it will announce the pricing and availability of the Corvette ZR1 when it’s closer to production.
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