Chevrolet's 1,064-Hp Zr1 Sets New Speed Benchmark For Corvettes
The ZR1 is a powerhouse, dominating the road with unmatched speed.
Chevrolet doesn’t need a hybrid powertrain to break its own performance records. The first ZR1 version of the C8-generation mid-engine Corvette has been officially revealed as the fastest model of the legendary American muscle car.
According to Car and Driver, Chevrolet announced that this supercharged Corvette will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in an astonishing 2.3 seconds on non-race-prepped surfaces when equipped with the optional ZTK performance package. This package includes a stiffer suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, and a carbon fiber aero kit. Without the ZTK package, the standard ZR1 will reach 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, tying it with the hybrid E-Ray for the quickest Corvette Car and Driver has ever tested. The ZTK-equipped ZR1 will also cover a quarter mile in just 9.6 seconds at 150 mph, while the standard model completes it in 9.7 seconds at 152 mph.
This performance boost shouldn’t come as a surprise to those following ZR1 news. The "Gemini" twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine generates an impressive 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 826 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 RPM. Not only is this the most powerful Corvette ever, but it also claims the title of the most powerful factory V8 ever produced in the U.S.
Chevrolet revealed that this LT7 engine is based on the LT6 V8 from the C8 Z06, but it features several upgrades, including new head casings, a revised valve-train timing profile, a new intake system, CNC-machined combustion chambers, and, of course, turbos. The transmission has also been refined to handle the additional power, with upgraded input shafts, extra control valves, and lengthened gears. Standard features include Magnetic Ride dampers for body roll reduction, a small rear spoiler, adjustable wickers, a carbon fiber front splitter, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and a flow-through hood that helps the car achieve 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.
Pricing will be announced closer to production, which starts this year, but Car and Driver estimates that the base price will begin around $180,000, with fully-loaded versions exceeding $200,000.
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