Chevy Starts Teasing 2025 Corvette ZR1, Dubs It "Unthinkable"

Before going any further, do remember that a twin-turbo Corvette was introduced back in 1987 under the regular production order code B2K. More specifically, the Callaway Corvette originally produced 345 horsepower, then leveled up to 450 ponies and 613 pound-feet (831 Nm) of torque.

The C8-generation ZR1 is a completely different animal from the C7, beginning with engine location and the lack of a manual transmission. We also have to remember that Z06s and E-Rays can be had with carbon-fiber wheels for less unsprung weight, an extra that should carry over to the all-new ZR1.

From the teaser video published by the Chevrolet division, which dubs the C8 ZR1 as being something "unthinkable," it's easy to see that we're dealing with a Z06-like front end with a more pronounced lip spoiler. The computer-generated animation of the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 further shows a larger-than-life rear wing that our carparazzi spotted on camouflaged prototypes on many occasions.

The wing is likely bundled with the ZTK package (or whatever the go-faster package will be called for this generation). The Z06's Z07 package is advertised with 734 pounds (334 kilograms) of downforce at 186 mph (300 kph). The increase in drag also means a bigger gas-guzzler penalty: $3,000 instead of $2,600 for the standard Z06.

Speaking of the Z06, its flat-plane crankshaft V8 is referred to as LT6. Because it's closely related to said engine, LT7 is the regular production order code for the ZR1's lump. It's not clear, though, if General Motors changed the crank to a cross-plane design. Regardless of crank type, General Motors will have said engine tuned beyond 800 ponies.

The yardstick is the 755-horsepower C7 ZR1, which – believe it or not – still is the most powerful combustion vehicle in General Motors history. When it comes to electric series-production vehicles, remember that GMC Hummer EV goes up to 1,000 horsepower from a three-motor setup.

General Motors completed the first EX VIN 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 on February 13 this year, which explains why Bowling Green assembly plant tours had to be suspended on February 5. According to an October 2023 leak of regular production order codes via the GM parts catalog, the 5.5-liter LT7 of the ZR1 features Active Fuel Management.

That's why certain peeps believe that we're dealing with a cross-plane crankshaft rather than a flat-plane unit. AFM means running in four instead of eight cylinders to save fuel. The newer Dynamic Fuel Management system operates in up to 17 patterns, including one-cylinder mode. DFM is normally featured in small-block V8 truck engines from GM, including the 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8s of the light-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.