In the motoring world, a great foundation often leads to spectacular results. To be more specific, when the base car in a model range is as good as the Chevrolet Stingray Coupe, it lays the groundwork for something even more special. With its naturally-aspirated flat-plane crank V8, the new Corvette Z06 sounds beastly as it revs to well over 8,000 rpm. It's a palpable step up from the base Corvette. But this 670-horsepower Corvette is merely a stepping stone to the upcoming C8 Corvette ZR1. Now, exclusive details have emerged regarding this red-hot Corvette model.
The new ZR1 was recently spied in prototype form, and it's expected to be one of the last 'Vettes to be exclusively powered by an internal combustion engine. And what an engine it will be. According to Motor Cars & Trucks and what the publication describes as "bulletproof sources", the new ZR1 was spied with full body cladding and center exhaust tips. It will use a more powerful version of the LT6 engine with two turbochargers strapped to it. This 5.5-liter V8 will be called the LT7 and it's expected to produce around 850 horsepower. That's nearly 100 hp more than the previous-gen ZR1. Considering that the new Corvette Z06 will hit 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, one can only imagine how quick the rear-wheel-drive ZR1 will be.
The prototype of the ZR1 was seen sporting Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, but upper trims will have Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. The exterior will be distinguished by bespoke front and rear fascias, unique wheel designs, a widened body, and centrally-positioned tailpipes. Like other Corvettes, the ZR1 will make use of an eight-speed Tremec dual-clutch automatic transmission. Expected to arrive for the 2025 or 2026 model years, Chevy seems on track for those release dates considering that prototypes are already being seen out and about. While it was initially thought that the C8 ZR1 would be a hybrid, the latest rumors suggest that the final product could be an explosive swansong for ICE-powered Corvettes. Besides, if you want a hybrid Corvette, the powerful E-Ray is on the way.