First Look: 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Chevrolet has unleashed the unthinkable in the Corvette ZR1. The “King of the Hill” returns with the most powerful V8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer, mind-
bending specs and iconic design to challenge the world’s best supercars in both coupe and convertible variants.

Pushing the boundaries of the Small Block

ZR1’s 5.5-litre LT7 twin-turbocharged DOHC V8 engine starts with the same architecture as Z06’s LT6, the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine ever, and takes it to the next
level with twin turbochargers — the first time ever for a factory Corvette.

Dubbed the “Small Block Gemini” architecture, the LT6 program was only the beginning as engineers dual-pathed a goal: to create massive power, capability, and character from naturally
aspirated and turbocharged flat plane crankshaft twin engines. With these goals in mind, engineers did not create an LT6 with turbochargers but instead changed and optimized virtually
every system for a boosted application.

Corvette ZR1’s 5.5-litre, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank LT7 engine results from engineering prowess and pushing the boundaries of what the engine architecture can do. Thoughtful planning produced the best performance from forced induction, married with the 5.5-litre flat-plane engine architecture.

The LT7 engine is purpose-built to accomplish its four-figure horsepower mission with no compromises in componentry and maintains the rev-happy character that is the heart of the Small Block Gemini engine family. It will be hand-assembled by the master engine builders at the Performance Build Center, part of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky.

Enabling speed with ease

Purposeful aerodynamics provide the most downforce ever from a Corvette with over 544 kg at top speed. The Corvette ZR1 offers speed on tap like no Corvette before it. Two distinct setups, complete with Magnetic Ride dampers, accomplish this.

The standard Corvette ZR1 chassis has a sleeker body, lower drag, and a small spoiler with customer-adjustable short and tall wickers. It also includes a standard carbon-fibre front splitter, rocker mouldings, side intake with integrated brake cooling, and front underwing with stall gurney deflectors. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres wrap 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels. This setup blends the best of on-road comfort and track capability.

Corvette ZR1 is built for the track, not only because of the power from the 5.5L LT7 engine but also because of additional, specific aerodynamic and cooling changes throughout the car.

Corvette ZR1’s optional ZTK performance package unlocks a true track weapon. Notably, the ZTK package adds an aggressive, high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, and a tall hood.

Gurney lip – all constructed from woven carbon-fibre.

Underneath, underbody strakes replace the standard front underwing stall Gurney to increase front downforce. The suspension tuning included in the ZTK package incorporates stiffer springs and adds Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres. Amid testing and development, the ZR1 tackled some of the world’s most demanding racetracks, including the Nürburgring, Road Atlanta, and Virginia International Raceway.

Carbon Aero, featuring all aerodynamic equipment from the ZTK package, is also available on the standard ZR1 chassis.

Controlling ZR1’s high performance is a new brake system. The brake package uses a revolutionary carbon ceramic rotor manufacturing technology to increase durability and reduce brake component temperatures. Front rotors measure 400mm in diameter, and rear rotors 390mm in diameter — the front rotors are the largest ever equipped on Corvette. In just 24.5 seconds, the Corvette ZR1 goes from 80-200 mph and back to 80 mph (129 – 321 – 129 kph) — 22% quicker than the C7 Corvette ZR1 and 53% quicker than the C6 Corvette ZR1.

Designed for the split window’s return

For ZR1, function and form quickly took hold to create an instant icon — an icon worthy of the historic split window’s return. Last seen on the C2-generation Corvette and quietly previewed on the Corvette Z06 GT3.R race car, the split-window style capitalizes on the design statement that is Corvette ZR1.

While serving as a statement piece, this carbon fibre “spine” between the two rear windows, available in exposed weave or body colour, provides increased heat extraction from the engine
compartment, working in parallel with numerous other cooling elements throughout ZR1.

The Corvette ZR1’s cockpit dials up the attention to detail, notably with unique ZR1 badging found on an interior plaque, the sill plates and the steering wheel. A new finishing stitch pattern for
the doors, specific to ZR1, is available on the 3LZ trim. A boost gauge is also present, denoting the first factory turbocharged Corvette in the nameplate’s history.

Providing further choices to customers, the Corvette ZR1 will provide a roster of customizations between exterior and interior colours. Shared with the 2025 Corvette lineup, new colours such as Competition Yellow, Hysteria Purple, and Sebring Orange headline updates. The latter recalls a fan-favorite hue from the previous C7-generation Corvette ZR1.

A new Habanero interior, as is a Blue Stitch option, is available inside. Various full-length racing stripes, brake caliper colours, including an exclusive blue for the calipers, seat belt colours and
more will also be available.

King of the Hill is coming next year

Corvette ZR1 will begin production in 2025 and be built at General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. It joins Corvette Stingray, Corvette Z06 and Corvette E-Ray to
continue elevating the Corvette family. Further details on price and availability will be shared closer to production.

The Corvette ZR1 adds to the Chevrolet’s lineup of performance cars under the Corvette brand, including the Stingray, Z06, and, recently available to order, the E-ray. The Middle East is
renowned globally for its appreciation of fast, powerful, beautiful sports cars and the arrival of the ZR1 should feed into this passion.

Keep track of the latest prices and specs in the Chevrolet Corvette buyer guide.