The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1 has arrived, and it’s making history. Joe Raiti got an exclusive look at this record-breaking supercar at Daytona International Speedway just before the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona kicked off. Chevrolet has pulled back the curtain on what might just be the most powerful and fastest Corvette ever built.
The new C8 ZR1 recently became the fastest American production car, reaching an incredible 233 mph. The record-setting run was conducted in Germany, with GM’s president behind the wheel, backed by a team of engineers who ensured every detail was perfected.
The ZR1 featured in the video is still in development, and Chevrolet is fine-tuning the final details. The car is equipped with the high-downforce ZTK package, which includes an aggressive front splitter, massive canards, and a pedestal-style rear wing. However, they used the low-downforce setup during the record run to minimize drag. This package generates 1,200 lbs of downforce, making the car incredibly stable at high speeds.
The heart of the ZR1 is a twin-turbocharged 5.5L LT7 V8 producing 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. This beastly engine features a flat-plane crankshaft, dual fuel injectors per cylinder, and massive intercoolers to keep temperatures in check. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Tremec 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the sixth gear hitting the line at top speed.
Performance figures are mind-blowing: 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 9.6 seconds, and a verified top speed of 233 mph.
