GM Spied Testing C8 Corvette ZR1, 800-HP LT7 5.5L Twin-Turbo V8 Sounds Delicious

Spied high-altitude testing in Colorado, the heavily camouflaged prototypes in the videos below all feature the Z06's wider body and tires. Pictured with a low-drag rear spoiler as well as a high wing, the ZR1 further sports the center-exit quad exhaust we all know and love from the eighth-gen Corvette Z06.

Previously speculated to combine the LT6 flat-plane crankshaft V8 of the Z06 with the front-mounted electric drive unit of the E-Ray, the ZR1 is actually a twin-turbo affair with no hybrid assistance whatsoever. GM refers to said engine as the LT7, and similar to the Z06, it's a high-revving marvel of engineering that sounds great even at low speeds.

You can easily tell it's turbocharged from the sounds it makes at idle, as well as the sounds produced as the revs climb up. With the Z06 redlining at 8,600 revolutions per minute, chances are its twin-turbo sibling will also surpass the 8,000-rpm barrier. Lest we forget, both McLaren and Ferrari offer twin-turbo V8s capable of 8,000-plus revolutions per minute.

Speaking of which, the 750S is rated at 740 horsepower and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) from a displacement of 4.0 liters compared to 5.5 for the LT6 and LT7. The SF90 XX, which marks the end of the Ferrari SF90 series, belts out 786 horsepower and 593 pound-feet (804 Nm) from 4.0 liters as well.

Although General Motors doesn't have the flat-plane crankshaft V8 know-how of McLaren and Ferrari, the LT7 is expected with 800 ponies to its name. Certain peeps argue that 850 is the actual number, but only time will tell how much GM squeezed out of its most powerful mass-produced V8 engine to date.

The 2025 redesign is believed to drop the notorious wall of buttons for a more elegant solution. Unfortunately, these prototypes are heavily camouflaged on the inside as well. The C2-inspired split rear window is pretty obvious, though, a stylistic nod to one of the prettiest 'Vettes ever produced.

After the ZR1, the C8 lineup will reach its climax with the so-called Zora. Half ZR1 and half E-Ray, this incredibly ambitious machine could pump out a staggering 1,000 horsepower at full chatter. That would put the C8 above the original Veyron, the French hypercar with 1,000 metric ponies (make that 986 hp) and 1,250 Nm (922 lb-ft) under its belt.

If you were wondering, the most powerful series-production 'Vette is the C7 ZR1. It sports the only fifth-gen small block with both direct and port fuel injection, as well as a bigger supercharger than the C7 Z06. On full song, the 6.2er develops a massive 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet (969 Nm).