The 1064 HP, 215-Plus MPH 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: All the Details with Tadge Juechter

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Published 2024-07-25
Read more: www.caranddriver.com/news/a61692733/2025-chevrolet…

The 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 has a 1064-hp twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8, making it by far the most powerful Vette to ever reach production.

The ZR1's LT7 engine also makes it the first turbocharged Corvette, and its myriad upgrades distinguish it from the Z06's naturally aspirated LT6.

With an estimated top speed of 215-plus mph, an available aero kit that nets up to 1200 pounds of downforce, and other exotic bits, the C8 ZR1 is set up to slay supercars.

The GM engineers who developed the new C8 Corvette ZR1 said it was obvious early on that they were dealing with something special. During its first drag-strip launch, the rear-drive mid-engined monster roared through the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds. During its first lap at GM's Milford Proving Grounds, it posted a faster top speed than the previous-gen ZR1. At Germany's famous Nürburgring racetrack, all four Corvette test drivers eclipsed 200 mph on their first laps. And the firsts don't stop there. The 2025 Chevy Corvette ZR1 is also the first turbocharged Vette and the first production model to produce 1064(!) horsepower.

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00:00 Going 200-plus mph
00:53 The ZTK Track Performance Package
01:32 1064 hp, twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8
03:17 Turbo boost management
03:58 Torque
05:17 "We've burned up a lot of dynos."
06:16 The exhaust generates thrust (and flames)
07:52 Air inlets and management
10:35 Top speed and quarter mile
11:35 Carbon ceramic brake rotors and carbon fiber wheels
14:59 ZR1 Convertible
17:54 Differences in ride quality
19:00 Sacrificing the front storage area
20:03 A window for the engine
20:40 Coupe vs convertible performance differences
21:43 Tadge Juechter on retiring and working on the first ZR1
23:30 ZR1 versus powerful EVs
24:01 80 mph to 200 mph and back
25:23 Convertible operation
26:54 Availability

All Comments (21)
  • @QuietDriver97
    For all the flak they get for the high volume models, GM maintains such a dedicated and passionate group of madmen in the performance division to showcase the best of what they can offer on the road. That's why my heart will always be with these nameplates.
  • @bobsmoot8454
    Holy smoke, over 1,000 hp this thing is going to be 8nsane
  • @YAAHURRR
    imagine, buying a car out of a dealership already being able to shoot flames about a foot long - insane
  • @8bert9
    Man, GM has done it again. The looks and performance are amazing. I never thought the new ZR1 would have 1,064 HP.
  • @Trialnerror
    The respect deserved for a production car that most drag racing, circle track, road circuit car builders work so hard to build for a single purpose that GM Performance can build into one car, that can also take the wife to go get ice cream.....it's off the charts. Great job GM.
  • @broncobill3902
    The convertible looks pretty classy with that blue and tan combo.
  • @Jonny_O
    37lbs of thrust from the exhaust? Which shoots flames 18 inches out the tailpipes? Does that mean this thing has... an AFTERBURNER?!
  • @CUCV
    GM set on kill mode
  • Closing in on 1,100HP, bone stock with a twin turbocharged V8 is something I never thought I'd see in an American car. Bolt-on, 1300HP+ Vette's are coming soon, insane!
  • @AdrianaTatu-w4n
    Carlos's giddy-ness is contagious! Great work, team Corvette!!
  • That comment about cooling tests for the convertible is exactly why OEM stuff is so fascinating and impressive to me. Anybody can make a car fast with aftermarket parts, but designing it to avoid heat soak after a track session while sitting still with no airflow is another level. That's just as impressive as any performance metric
  • @quattroconcept4
    500 hp base Vette, 670 hp Z06, 1064 hp ZR1, 1300 hp Zora... the future looks nice
  • @skizilla
    Whoever this guy from GM is, he did a great job at explaining everything. Well done sir.
  • @MADMAX7330
    Tadge leaves Corvette division on a high 🙏
  • @Edge-mv3jw
    This is insane, and I’m absolutely here for it
  • @csmith1927
    Lmao. This car will smoke 765LTs out of the factory. That’s unreal. Imagine showing this to someone 20 or even 10 years ago.
  • @drewmorg.
    Tadge has been a gift to motoring enthusiasts all these years. Thanks for the Corvette dude.