After a Six Year Hiatus, the ZR1 Model Returns to the Corvette Line Up for 2025 with Over 1,000 Horsepower and Twin Turbos!
2023 was a year when car and truck enthusiasts got hit with some bad news. Popular engine platforms and models being shelved and discontinued, while some are pushing the EV side of things.
But then Chevrolet comes along and announces a new Corvette ZR1 for 2025, packing 1,064 horsepower directly from the factory!
Sick Powerfest Presented by Dodge & M1 Concourse invades Pontiac, Michigan on Friday, August 9th, 2024!! Burnout Competitors battle for a $25,000 purse in the WORLD BURNOUT CHAMPIONSHIP - tons of cool rides around M1 Concourse in the Sick Spit Show and Shine - Dodge Thrill Rides - Powerfest Exclusive Dodge Demon 170 Drag Launch Experience rides - Manufacturers Midway and a ton more! Get your tickets - register for the car show and find out more information HERE!
The news follows a little doom and gloom from two of the ‘Big 3’ last year. Dodge had phased out the Gen 3 HEMI engine (although you can still buy one in a Ram truck or Durango model), meaning the well-known HEMI naturally-aspirated engines, and the 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat would be no more.
They also discontinued the popular Challenger model that had been produced since 2008, and replaced the Charger model at the end of 2023 with a new design for 2024, powered by the ‘Hurricane’ twin-turbo 3-liter 6 cylinder.
Although Ford had recently announced the S350 platform Mustang for 2024, and stated it would be available for at least another four years, they had also ramped up their EV line.
GM also seem to be trending in the EV direction, and the Chevrolet Camaro model faced its second hiatus (or a possible discontinued for good) following the 2024 model. And rumors even circulated that the days were numbered on getting a V8 in a GM pick up truck.
Then last week, Chevrolet announced the latest Corvette ZR1 model, stated for roll out in spring 2025. Packing a 5.5-liter LT7 flat plane crankshaft engine and a pair of turbochargers, the output is a staggering 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 RPM, and 828 lb/feet of torque at 6,000 RPM. All with a factory warranty in place, air-conditioning and creature comforts.
On the surface, it sounds really cool. A US assembly-line produced supercar, at a time when it seems like some car companies are worried about miles per gallon versus smiles per mile. Plenty of power, a balanced chassis, and even some cool retro features like the split rear window, a throwback to the 1963 model Corvette.
And although it is cool that Chevrolet is building something like this, looking at the big picture somewhat pulls us back into reality.
Looking at the three current 2024 Corvette models, the base Corvette stingray starts at $68,300. The base model, 495 horsepower Corvette, goes zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, and eclipses a quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds, but that’s still a lot of money.
The E-Ray, the first Corvette with all-wheel-drive and a hybrid platform, knocks the 0-60 mph time down to 2.5 seconds, and covers the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds, but it starts at almost $105,000. The Z06 model has nearly the same performance at the E-Ray, with its LT6 5.5-liter engine platform making 670 horsepower, and a $112,700 starting price.
The last ZR1 built was a 2019 model, on the front engine C7 platform, and they made just 2894 of them. They made 755 horsepower from a supercharged. They retailed at a base price of $120,900. In comparison, the 2019 ZO6 model started at $81,995, and the base model Corvette was around $55K.
The new ZR1 is rumored to start at $180,000. Is this a lot of money for a 1,000-plus horsepower brand new car with a warranty? My initial thought is yes.
But when you put the car’s price in perspective of what a lot of things cost these days, plus what it would cost to start from scratch with an older car and build it to something like the Corvette with not just power, but balance and precision, I think it’s on par with other supercars.
Does it mean that some new sports cars and muscle cars are out of reach for the average person? I believe so, and don’t think I’m alone in being a little bit worried it could hurt the chances at newer sport and muscle cars going forward.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Chevrolet.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com