CHEVROLET Corvette ZR1 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The ZR1 was back for the fifth time in history and pushed Chevrolet’s supercar to the limits by providing over 1,000 horsepower to the rear wheels, making it the most powerful Corvette ever.

Chevrolet introduced the first ZR1 Corvette in 1970, based on this moniker's third generation. Back then, it was considered a sportscar. The supercar category was still in its infancy with the introduction of the Lamborghini Miura in 1966. Across the pond, in the U.S., Duntov’s team struggled to make a better sportscar. At the same time, GM’s management denied the brilliant engineer’s request to create a mid-engined vehicle. The C4 Corvette ZR1 that followed in 1990 after an 18-year gap was probably the most famous of them all, while the C5 didn’t have a ZR1 package. Then, Chevrolet considered creating a ZR1 for the C6 and the C7, and they sold like hotcakes. However, the best was yet to come, which happened in July 2024 when Chevrolet unveiled the ZR1 version of the C8 ‘Vette.

The team assigned to develop the 2025 Corvette ZR1 didn’t start its work from a blank sheet of paper. They took what they thought appropriate from the Z06 and adapted it. As a result, the front bumper with its large intakes on the lower apron was carried over from that version. Unlike its sibling, the ZR1 sported shiny black carbon fiber slats that protected the heat exchangers behind them from road debris. In addition, the short lid that covered the Z06’s frunk was sculptured to allow the hot air to escape from the radiators. Furthermore, a V-shaped lip in front of the exhaust vents created an aerodynamic bubble in front of it to increase downforce and another vortex behind to help extract warmed air.

When Chevrolet created the C8 as a mid-engined supercar, as Duntov asked in the late ‘60s, it created it with a short nose and angular styling. Since the ZR1 was based on the same bodywork, it shared most of its body panels with its C8 stablemates. However, there were some details that stood apart, such as the carbon fiber Y-shaped trim that covered part of the doors and the rear fenders. It masked the door handle and the air intake that cooled the rear rotors. The automaker offered the car with a unique set of forged alloy wheels, while a set of carbon fiber was available. Another unique element of the car was the split rear window, which brought homage to the 1963 C2 Corvette. Chevrolet also offered a ZTK (Z Track King) package to the C8 ZR1, which added a massive carbon fiber gooseneck-styled wing on the back that added downforce to the vehicle. In the back, the entire fascia was carried over from the C8 Z06, including the diffuser under the bumper that integrated four round exhausts.

Inside, the automaker offered a choice of two sports seat options. One was for those willing to take their cars on the streets, with soft padding and leather upholstery. On the contrary, the other was for a set of carbon-fiber bucket seats with high bolstering for those who took their cars on the track more often. The instrument panel housed the same LCD as the rest of the range but enhanced with a turbo gauge. Chevy’s officials said they wanted their customers to feel comfortable in the C8 ZR1, so the car came fitted with all the modern amenities of a 2024 vehicle, including an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

However, the real magic happened under the car’s skin. The 2025 Corvette ZR1 was developed as a supercar killer. The twin-turbo LT7 behind the cabin was twin-turbocharged and produced 1,064 hp (1,079 PS). It was tuned to the max, and the engineering team that developed it drew their inspiration from the Corvette race cars. Furthermore, they adorned it with blue covers, suggesting a blueprint powerplant, even though it was factory-built. The eight-speed automatic (dual-clutch) transmission was re-engineered to withstand the massive 828 lb-ft (1,123 Nm) of torque. All that oomph was sent to the rear wheels only. GM didn’t make the ZR1 a hybrid, as some expected, but a 100% true supercar with no electrification.

The 2018 ZR1 was the most powerful Corvette ever made to that date and also the most technologically advanced.

Corvette had a long history behind it. Even though its first generation was not the most powerful car on the market, its successors started to grow and develop more power and torque. They became more and more athletic and sportier. The 2018 model was also the last Corvette with the engine mounted in the front. It might be called the last classic ZR1 model.

Unlike its siblings, the ZR1 was easy to spot due to its hole in the hood and the carbon-fiber case for the supercharger. The engine was so tall that it couldn't fit in the engine bay, so the designers made a cut and passed it through. If the track-package was installed, the car featured various carbon-fiber elements at the front and on the sides, plus a massive wing on the back. It was mounted on the rear panel, not on the trunk-lid. Its light-alloy wheels were unique for the ZR1, with 19" at the front and 20" for the rear axle.

Inside, Chevrolet tried to make things better than before. There was no cheap plastic anymore. Depending on the options, the ZR1 could have been fitted with Alcantara on the ceiling. Its regular sport-bucket seats could have been replaced with the race-bucket ones, which featured integrated headrests and passages for a four-point harness.

The 2018 ZR1 featured an adaptive dampers system with magnetorheological shocks. The electronically controlled Limited Slip Differential helped the car corner faster than any other Corvette in history. Its 6.2-liter supercharged engine produced a massive 765 hp and 969 Nm (715 lb-ft) of torque, which were sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The 2008 ZR1 was the fastest production Corvette ever to that date and, moreover, was the quickest car in its price range.

While the ZR lettering dated back to the '70s, it was the '90s model that stirred more emotions. The 2008 ZR1 was the true King of the Hill among its brothers, and it was quicker than the much-famed Ferrari F430 from the same era. While it wasn't the best car on cornering, it was a hard-to-catch one on the drag-strip or in straight-line acceleration.

The Corvette followed the same principles as before: light, aerodynamic bodywork, and functional scoops on the sides. At the front of the car, a nose-scoop allowed more air to get to the supercharger covered by a transparent polycarbonate window area on the hood. It was the most extravagant idea made by GM designers for the beloved American supercar. In the coupe shape, the carbon-fiber roof featured two outgrows for the driver and the passenger.

Inside, the Corvette featured a modern-looking interior with an integrated infotainment system installed on the wide center stack. The tall center console hosted the short gear-stick, the handbrake, and a storage compartment big enough for a quick trip to the race-track. Its high-bolstered sport seats offered great lateral support.

From the technical point of view, the ZR1 was more than just a Corvette with a more powerful engine. Its reinforced rear axle, the magnetic ride control, and the limited-slip differential were part of the package. A state-of-the-art fuel injection system fueled the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, and the six-speed manual was the only option.