The most radical Corvette generation of them all, the C8 switched from a front midship to a rear-midship layout. General Motors also discontinued the predecessor’s eight-speed automatic transmission and seven-speed manual in favor of a dual-clutch transaxle produced by Tremec.
Some things, however, don’t change. With the seventh-gen Corvette, the Detroit-based automaker introduced a direct-injected V8 in the form of the LT1. Said engine turned into the LT2 for the C8, and thus far, the LT2 remains exclusive to it.
Used in both the combustion-only Corvette Stingray and hybrid-assisted Corvette E-Ray, the small block in question puts out a respectable 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) with the optional valved exhaust. For the Corvette Z06, however, General Motors took inspiration from endurance racing.
Literally! The C8.R made its competitive debut in 2020 at the 24 Hours of Daytona with a flat-plane crankshaft V8 under the rear deck lid, a high-revving brute of an engine with the aural qualities of a mid-engine Ferrari (think 458 Italia). Codenamed LT6, the hand-assembled engine will receive a twin-turbo makeover for the new ZR1.
Previously a supercharged monster with 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet (969 Nm) to its name from a displacement of 6.2 liters, the Corvette ZR1 switched to a pair of turbochargers for at least two reasons. First and foremost, packaging. But similarly important, turbocharging is easier on fuel than a big ol’ Eaton TVS supercharger.
Photo: Oli on YouTube
Recently spied testing at the Nurburgring as a pair, the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sounds adequately loud. Emphasis on adequately because – obviously enough – turbocharging does take away from a given engine’s aural potential. Rumored with anything between 800 to 850 ponies, the LT6-based LT7 will put the ZR1 ahead of the recently discontinued F8 Tributo in terms of power.
Speaking of the Prancing Horse of Maranello, the Big G appears to have taken inspiration from the S-duct system of the F8 Tributo. Put simply, it refers to a duct that channels air from the front bumper over the frunk lid for extra downforce with minimal drag. While on the subject of aero, carparazzo Oli caught no fewer than two prototypes with different rear wings: a Z06-like wing and something a bit more extreme, most likely unique to the ZR1.
Both prototypes run downward-facing exhaust outlets, the very same wheels and tires, and silver-painted brake calipers. Pictured with manufacturer plates, the ZR1s are joined on the track by a selection of prototypes from Porsche, Alpine, BMW, AMG, Land Rover, and VW.
Including the destination freight charge, the previous-gen ZR1 used to retail at $119,995 for the coupe and $123,995 for the convertible. Produced for a single year in extremely limited numbers, the C7 ZR1 remains the most powerful series-production Corvette of all time. Next year, however, the C8 ZR1 will certainly assume said title.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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