New C8 ZR1 Corvette: Twin-Turbo V8, Price & Specs

Chevrolet’s ‘King of the Hill’ has returned with a flaming-hot powerplant and immense, aero-enhanced grip. Find out if the new C8 ZR1 can take the fight to Porsche and Ferrari.

Kentucky is home to many of America’s finest creations: fried chicken, bluegrass music, bourbon and, of course, the Chevrolet Corvette.  

Since 1981, Chevy’s team at Bowling Green, KY have been exclusively responsible for building Uncle Sam’s long-standing supercar killer. And it was in the Southeastern state that the first true Corvette ZR1 was born – save for an engine co-developed with Lotus and built by Mercury Marine (yes, the boat people).  

Destined from day one to serve as the firm’s apex predator, the 1990 C4 ZR1 was a formidable adversary to contemporary European exotica. But can the latest C8 generation model continue to shake the supercar status quo?

How fast is the new Corvette ZR1?

0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds. A sub-ten-second quarter mile. 215 mph flat out. If those stats don’t capture your attention, you really ought to be shopping for an F35 jet fighter, not a sports car.  

Not only is the new ZR1 quicker than any Corvette that’s gone before, but it’s twin-turbo V8 is also the most potent all-American production engine to ever feature in a car. However, the ultimate Corvette is about so much more than racing between the lights.  

According to Scott Bell, vice president, Chevrolet, “The team that revolutionised Corvette with a mid-engine architecture took on another challenge: take ZR1 to the next level. 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.”

How powerful is the new twin-turbo V8?

At 1076 bhp, the new LT7 motor’s grunt is greater than Dodge’s Demon 170 and Tesla’s Model S Plaid. 

For the first time, two hulking great turbos are the ZR1’s secret weapon. Then there’s the flat-plane crank, oh, and don’t forget the double overhead camshafts! All this means the new 5.5-litre unit sounds a little more exotic than most Corvette fans are accustomed to. 

Aside from the hypercar-esque blare from the exhaust, the new LT7 engine is also noteworthy for its ability to deliver such enormous power and torque (828 lb-ft), reliably. Rather than a turbocharged version of the LT6, think of the LT7 as an entirely bespoke unit. From the improved oil management to the added block machining and secondary port fuel injection system, no stone went unturned in the pursuit of performance.  

Track-bred monster: The sharpest handling Corvette ever

Big power is always hard to resist, but the ZR1’s dynamic ability should be just as impressive. 1,200lbs of downforce at 200 mph comes courtesy of numerous carbon-fibre aero additions, while standard high performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres provide ample bite in all conditions.  

An optional ZTK performance pack turns things up to 11. For starters, the lightweight alloys are now shod in aggressive, track-focused Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rubber, offering greater precision and a larger contact patch for smashing lap times. The upgrade also sees visibly more aggressive high-downforce extras. A cartoonishly-sized rear wing and a carbon gurney flap that protrudes like a spoiled toddler’s bottom lip, serve to carve the air to the Vette’s every whim.

Then there’s the fearsome brakes. At 400mm in diameter they’re physically larger than any other Corvette’s stoppers, and a carbon ceramic construction ensures minimal fade when pushed to the limit. Speaking of which, to highlight the ZR1’s equally vicious acceleration and deceleration, Chevrolet has reported that the C8 ZR1 can get from 80-200 mph and back again over 50% faster than the old C6 ZR1. A peculiar metric, granted, but you get the picture.

The split window is back!

Last seen on the 1963 C2 Stingray, the split rear window is a styling cue that die-hard fans go wild for, but we never expected it to return. Speaking on the matter, Phil Zak, executive design director, Chevrolet, explains, “We didn’t approach this decision lightly… Not only does this element provide function, but we were able to integrate passionate design into the form and do it in a way that paid homage to Corvette’s history.”  

As for the rest of the design, well it’s predictably loud — especially when finished in Competition Yellow — and that’s exactly how a ZR1 should be. If you want subtlety, buy a Porsche 911.

How much does the new Corvette ZR1 cost?

It’s the question on every V8 enthusiast’s mind from here to Texas — and now we finally have an answer. With US pricing set at the equivalent of around £143,000, the new C8 ZR1 undercuts many of its supercar rivals by a huge margin. Considering the Z06 can already climb to around £105,000 when fully optioned, the ZR1’s price looks remarkably competitive — even more so if you factor in the available track-focused packages. For a machine with this level of performance, technology and motorsport pedigree, it represents staggering value.

Does the world need more unhinged automotive creations like the ZR1? Let us know if you wish Chevrolet sold the new Corvette in the UK.

Hero image credit: Chevrolet