The LT7 in the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has 394 horsepower more than the LT6 in the Z06, but both engines are the same size and shape. The top speed should be over 215 mph, thanks to the 1064 horsepower from the two turbochargers. The ZR1 stands out because of its great aerodynamics, which includes a big back wing. The Chevy Corvette Z06 is a beast. In tests by Invoice Pricing, this high-end sports car’s screaming flat-plane-crank V-8 engine made an amazing 670 horsepower, which let it go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. However, the Corvette development team never sleeps, and Chevy is about to show off the 2025 Corvette ZR1, which will be the top-of-the-line sports car. Even though the Z06 is very powerful on its own, Chevy made a lot of difficult changes to the Corvette platform to make it run better. Let’s look at the main changes between the two Z-badged Vettes to understand how the ZR1 tries to make the already great Z06 even better. Both LT6 and LT7 Both Corvettes have 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 engines, but they are very different from one another. The LT7 engine in the ZR1 and the LT6 both use the same “Small-Block Gemini” architecture. The biggest difference is that the ZR1’s engine has two turbochargers. However, Chevy didn’t just add two boost makers to the LT6; they also made a lot of other small but important changes to the LT7. Along with the exhaust and intake holes, the combustion chamber grows and is made to fit the LT7 perfectly. The intake system had to be completely changed to make room for the two turbos. The V-8 engine now has an “intelligent” anti-lag setting that changes based on how the owner drives. To handle the LT7’s huge power, Chevy also changed the speed of the valvetrain and added a secondary port fuel injection system. For power, Chevy says the ZR1 is the most powerful Corvette the company has ever made. The ZR1 makes 1064 horsepower at 7000 rpm, which is 394 horsepower more than the Z06, which makes 1064 horsepower at 1400 rpm earlier. At 6300 rpm, the Z06 only makes 460 pound-feet of power, but at 6,000 rpm, the LT7 can make up to 828 pound-feet. It is said that the Z06’s Vmax is 189 mph, but Chevy thinks the ZR1’s top speed is more than 215 mph. Chevy thinks the ZR1 will be able to go a quarter-mile in less than ten seconds. During Invoice Pricing testing, the newest Z06 completed the same run in 10.5 seconds at 131 mph. Chevy didn’t say how long it would take to go from 0 to 60 mph, but we think the ZR1 will only go a little faster because the tires won’t be able to handle all 1064 horsepower. Because of the huge boost in power, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that was shared with the Z06 had to be updated. The ZR1 has stronger gears, more control valves, and bigger inner and outer input shafts to handle the higher clutch clamp load. It also does a great job of managing oil. Styles that are tough and useful The ZR1 looks a lot meaner because it focuses on high aerodynamics, which is said to produce over 1200 pounds of downforce at top speed. The ZTK speed option, which comes with a big rear wing with a lot of downforce, is what really sets the ZR1 apart. The stock ZR1 has a small wing in the back and an underwing in the front with deflectors. The package adds a carbon lip spoiler, carbon-fiber front dive planes, and better underbody strakes in place of the standard underwing. A big hole lets air flow through the hood, adding downforce to the front and going through an intercooler to make the look even more dramatic. The Z06 still has a wishbone-shaped side intake, but it now has a second duct to help cool the back brakes. The turbochargers get cool air through a set of carbon-fiber inlets spread out over the back hatch. The rear hatch also has a split-window design that reminds me of the famous 1963 Corvette. Chevy says that the open carbon-fiber “spine” between the two panes helps heat escape. Like the Z06, the front wheels are 20 inches, and the back wheels are 21 inches. It comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, just like the Z06. But you can switch to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Rs with the ZTK package for the ZR1 and the Z07 package for the Z06. Some extra treats Besides that, the ZR1 has better brakes. Chevy says that it has used “revolutionary carbon-ceramic rotor manufacturing technology” to make its brakes last longer and better control the temperature. Still, the front rotors are 15.7 inches wide, and the back ones are 15.4 inches wide, the same size as the ones on the Z06 Z07 package. The ZR1’s front brake calipers are one piece instead of two pieces like the Z06’s. The ZR1 also has a carbon-fiber roof and unique metal wheels that come in four finishes, one of which is Edge Blue. The ZR1 also comes with a unique set of carbon-fiber wheels that can be painted the body color of the engine. Inside, there are small changes. The ZR1 logo is on the steering wheel, the door sill plates, and a sign inside the car. Additionally, the ZR1’s 3LZ trim has unique stitching on the doors, and the instrument panel now has a boost gauge. People can pick blue brake calipers and stitching, and there is a new Habanero color for the car. Other than the show-stopping rear wing, the ZR1’s improvements are mostly small, but when put together, they make the car even more aggressive on the track. Also, an extra 394 horsepower is pretty decent.
