Chevrolet has released its mighty Corvette ZR1 touting the most powerful V8 ever produced in America. Said engine is a 5.5-litre, twin turbocharged, double overhead cam, flat plane crank V8 called the LT7. It produces 1064HP at 7000 RPM (that’s 782kW) and 1123Nm of torque.
While performance times are yet to be verified, GM is estimating a top speed of 215mph (346km/h) while acing the quarter mile in under 10 seconds.
“The team that revolutionised the Corvette with a mid-engine architecture took on another challenge: take ZR1 to the next level,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Chevrolet. “Corvette ZR1 is about pushing the envelope with raw power and cutting-edge innovation. From Stingray, to Z06, E-Ray, and now ZR1, the Corvette family continues to elevate with each new iteration — and challenge the best in the world.”
The LT7 has different head castings to the LT6 (the engine that powers the Z06) with unique ports and a bigger combustion chamber. The valve train timing and lift is optimised for forced induction, and the LT7 has its own intake system tuned for the turbos. And there’s a secondary port injection system for the additional fuel requirements.
The turbos are ball-bearing, mono scroll blowers with integrated manifolds which reduces the distance from the exhaust to the turbine wheel for improved response. They have electronic wastegates and there’s an anti-lag system too.
The eight-speed dual clutch transmission has been upgraded with new inner and outer input shafts, strengthened gears, better oil flow and they have revised the final drive.
The rear-drive ZR1 gets unique magnetic rate dampers and the standard ZR1 chassis comes in a low drag configuration with a small rear spoiler complete with adjustable short and tall wickers. There’s a standard carbon fibre front splitter, side intakes and additional brake cooling.
There’s a flow through hood for better cooling and aeros, and the ZR1 has extra air intakes to feed the engine’s need for oxygen.
Read our review of the Corvette Stingray convertible
There is an optional ZTK package for track days that includes the high downforce rear wing (producing 545kg of downforce at speed) and front dive plans while underneath there are underbody strakes to increase downforce. Suspension is stiffened and you get Michelin Pilot Sport C 2 rubber.
The ZR1 has a new brake system with carbon ceramic rotors measuring 400mm in the front and 390 in the rear.
For Corvette history junkies, ZR1 marks a return of the split rear window. Also new for the ZR1 is a carbon fibre roof and unique aluminium wheel designs with optional carbon fibre rims. Not a huge deal has been done inside, just some stitching and badging.
Available in both coupe and convertible, the latter weighs 1665kg, the convertible is 1705kg.
