2019 Corvette ZR1 Leak Confirms Outrageous 750 Horsepower And 210 MPH Top Speed
At the heart of the ZR1 is a burly LT5 V8, according to Car and Driver, which is an evolution of the LT4 engine used in the 650 horsepower Corvette Z06. The LT5 is enhanced with a larger blower (which pumps 52 percent more air) and a new fuel delivery system that used both port- and direct-injection (like the 3.5-liter V6 used in Lexus vehicles). To handle all of that power at its disposal, General Motors engineers increased the size of the throttle body and strengthened the crankshaft.
The end result is 750 horsepower and a stump-pulling 680 ft-lbs of torque. All of that power is, of course, sent to the rear wheels using either a 7-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic (sacrilege!). Although we're used to Corvettes being relatively lightweight machines, the ZR1 weighs in a relatively porky 3,664 pounds, which is a 140-pound increase over the Z06. For comparison, a base 455hp Corvette Stingray weighs 3,298.
When it comes to performance, GM says that the ZR1 can rocket from a standstill to 60 mph in under 3 seconds and can cross the 1/4-mile mark in under 11 seconds. Top speed is in excess of 210 mph. Just looking at the Corvette ZR1, it screams excess from its bulging hood to the aggressive front air dam to the massive carbon fiber wing on the deckled.
As you might expect, such awesomeness comes at a price. In this case, the 2019 Corvette ZR1 is priced at an eye-searing $120,000. However, given its performance, the ZR1 will likely slay vehicles costing twice or even three times its price of admission (which has always been a Corvette perk).
As for what's next, the C8 Corvette is widely expected to abandon its front engine layout for in favor of a mid-engine layout. Spy photos of the vehicle are all over the internet at this point, and it will likely be officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
