Meet The 1064bhp, Twin-Turbocharged C8 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

After one of the most interminable teaser campaigns in recent memory, it’s finally here: the C8 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. We were expecting something more focused and hardcore than what’s gone before, but we weren’t quite ready for some of the numbers at play here.

The big news is the 5.5-litre V8 nestling in the middle of the new ZR1. Dubbed LT7, it’s based on the flat-plane crank unit found in the Z06, which is already the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 ever, but Chevy has strapped on a pair of turbochargers, the first time a turbocharged Corvette’s ever left the factory.

Also building on the Z06 engine are a new combustion chamber and intake, redesigned pistons, and an extra port injection system to help sustain some of this engine’s massive numbers. 1064bhp is the headline-grabbing figure, comfortably the most powerful factory Corvette ever, while 828lb ft of torque is nothing to be sniffed at either.

The engine’s mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which itself has had a raft of upgrades to cope with that hypercar-baiting power. The result of all this is a top speed that Chevrolet estimates at over 215mph, and a projected standing quarter-mile of under 10 seconds.

Those figures will likely depend on which of the two aero packages you opt for, though. As standard, it gets a lower drag setup with a smaller carbon splitter and rear spoiler. This is the one that’s likely geared toward speed freaks.

Opt for the ZTK performance pack, though, and you get a bigger rear wing, a much bigger front splitter with added diveplanes, and even a small Gurney flap on the bonnet, as well as some underbody aero strakes. This all contributes to a peak downforce figure of around 544kg at top speed.

The ZTK pack also brings stiffer springs and more purposeful Michelin PS Cup 2 R rubber, while its aero enhancements can be added separately to the base car. Regardless of which version you spec, though, you get Magnetic Ride adaptive damping and carbon ceramic brakes.

One noteworthy feature is the return of the split rear windscreen. This design feature was only included on a single model year – 1963 – of the second-generation C2 Corvette, but it makes a comeback here. This time, though, it has an actual functional purpose beyond looking cool – it provides additional heat extraction for that hopped-up engine.

Available as both a coupe and convertible, the ZR1’s set to enter production next year, and pricing will be revealed closer to that time. There’s no confirmation on whether this one’s set to come to Europe like the basic Stingray, but our instinct is that this is probably one America will be keeping for itself. Shame.