The C8 Zr1 follows a long legacy of high-performance sports cars from Chevrolet, starting from the original Corvette dating back to 1953. As time and technology went on, performance, handling, braking, and sheer horsepower continued to improve over the years. Well, apart from that little 1974-1977 era, during the fuel crisis and insurance hikes of the mid-1970s, but we’ll gloss over that for now.
In much more recent years, the Corvette has truly evolved into a world class supercar, especially with this eighth-generation. With the engine set in the middle, behind the driver and over the rear wheels, it helps not only keep the rear wheels planted to the pavement, but it allows the team at Chevrolet really push the LT-series engine to the next level.
In fact, as amazing as the C7 was, there was a limited factor in terms of what was possible The C7 ZR1 cranked out 755hp, but in reality, it was beyond what the car was capable of handling — even with all of the added aero. For the new car, the job was cranked up to 11, and the car earned itself an additional 209hp, over the 755hp 2019 version. We’re now at 1,064hp, which is a bit more than the Challenger Demon 170. Difference is, the 1,025hp Demon needs E85 to do that, and it was set up to be a streetable straight-line missile.
The new ZR1, cranks out 1,064hp on pump 93, AND it’s a car that can dance through just about any corner, while at the same time, can deliver a reported a 1/4-mile time somewhere in the 9s. Those numbers are nothing to scoff at, but this car isn’t all just about its numbers. It’s about the legacy of Corvette. It’s about fulfilling Zora Arkus-Duntov’s dream of creating the ultimate mid-engine supercar out of a Corvette. It’s about solidifying the car’s place on the world stage.
That’s certainly what the design and engineering team did with this car, and as the Corvette’s Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, signs off on his final car, his mark is left, literally, all over this thing. To elaborate on the car further, GM President Mark Reuss fills in the blanks. As an added bonus, there’s a Buick Grand National reference early in the clip.
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the brand’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.
