Nothing can prepare you for the twin-turbocharged Corvette ZR1
The first-ever turbocharged Corvette engine, dubbed the "Gemini", makes more power than Bugatti's new V16. And that is merely the tip of the iceberg.
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The Bugatti Veyron, the divine trio of the P1, LaFerrari, and 918 Spyder, and new cars such as the SF90 and the Dodge Demon 170: a very small portion of what is a very long list of cars that produce less power than the new Corvette. The 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 is poised to make a significant impact in the supremacy of supercars with its truly mind-blowing specifications. At the heart of this ZR1 lies a 1064-hp twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 engine, the LT7, making it the most powerful Corvette ever to exit the production line.
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This engine is also a milestone for Chevrolet as it marks the first turbocharged Corvette in the icon's 70-year history. However, the LT7 is not just a turbocharged version of the Z06's LT6; it features a host of unique upgrades that set it apart, including a new intake, dual fuel injection, and an advanced anti-lag system to maintain responsiveness.
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The ZR1's performance figures are nothing short of extraordinary. With an estimated top speed of over 215 mph and a quarter-mile time of under 10 seconds, it’s intended to compete with the best that Europe has to offer. During its initial tests, the ZR1 consistently surpassed even Chevrolet expectations, recording speeds over 200 mph at Germany’s Nürburgring racetrack on the first lap. The car’s aerodynamic capabilities can be enhanced by an available aero kit that provides up to 1200 pounds of downforce.
Alongside the quad-digit power figure, the ZR1's engine produces a staggering 828 lb-ft of torque, available as low as 3000 rpm, and features improvements like stronger input and output shafts, wider gears, and an upgraded oiling system in the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This transmission, shared with the Z06 but significantly modified for the ZR1, ensures that the car’s immense power is efficiently transferred to the rear wheels. Oh yes, it is probably worth mentioning that all of that power and torque is sent entirely to the rear axle.
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The ZR1 features a flow-through hood that not only provides extra downforce but also cools the engine by channeling air through a heat exchanger. Additional cooling ducts are integrated into the side air intakes to cool the rear brakes, and the rear hatch includes more ducts to keep the engine temperatures in check. The ZR1’s convertible option retains these performance features while offering an open-air driving experience. Most noticeable to long-time Vette aficionados, the ZR1 revives one of the most iconic design cues in Corvette history: the split window.
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The car's chassis is equipped with Magnetic Ride 4.0 dampers and Michelin tires on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels. For those seeking track-focused performance, the ZTK package offers stiffer springs, stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and more aerodynamic enhancements like a high-downforce rear wing and front dive planes. The braking system is designed to handle its high performance, with specially designed carbon-ceramic rotors that measure 15.7 inches in the front and 15.4 inches in the rear, the largest factory brakes ever equipped on a Corvette. The ZR1 also features a carbon-fiber roof to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity.
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Inside, the ZR1 maintains the Corvette’s driver-focused layout, featuring the usual 12.0-inch instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, complemented by unique ZR1 badges and boost gauge. The higher-spec 3LZ trim offers improved craftsmanship with distinctive stitching and a new Habanero interior option. Despite its sincere focus performance, the ZR1 still retains practical features like cargo space sufficient for two golf bags.
Production of the 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 will begin next year at GM’s Bowling Green plant in Kentucky, and pricing details will be announced closer to the start of production, but a fully equipped ZR1 with the ZTK package is expected to comfortably exceed $200,000. With the Vette's first venture down the turbocharging route, it appears that Chevrolet has unlocked the utmost potential of the Corvette. There have been very few cars that genuinely leave a mark on history, yet it seems certain that the remarkable engineering behind the new ZR1's engine will be forever engraved in Automotive history.
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