2019 Corvette ZR1: The Last Great Corvette?
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 holds a special place in the recent history of the iconic American nameplate. Its larger-than-life front-engine pantomime, grippy downforce, and tire-annihilating power establish it as the most powerful factory Corvette ever. What’s more, for some fans, the ZR1 is the last “true” Corvette, given the model’s front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) platform, and available manual transmission. Still, what’s so great about the C7-generation ZR1?
How much horsepower does a ZR1 have?
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 produces 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque from its thunderous LT5 V8. While the ZR1’s engine is a derivation of the C7 Z06’s LT4, it is the most potent mill ever fitted to a factory Corvette.
| Model | Engine size | Horsepower and torque |
| 2019 Corvette ZR1 | Supercharged 6.2L LT5 V8 | 755 HP/ 715 lb-ft of torque |
| 2019 Corvette Z06 | Supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 | 650 HP/ 650 lb-ft of torque |
| 2023 Corvette Z06 | N/A 5.5L LT6 V8 | 670 HP/ 460 lb-ft of torque |
| 2024 Corvette E-Ray | Hybrid 6.2L LT2 V8 | 655 HP/ 595 lb-ft of torque |
That’s right, even the current production heavies out of Bowling Green don’t come close to the ZR1’s tire-scorching surplus of power. The current champion of the Corvette lineup is the C8 Z06, which produces 670 horsepower from its high-revving flat-plane crank V8. However, the Z06’s melodious mill produces 85 fewer ponies and 255 fewer lb-ft of torque than the now-extinct C7 model.
What year ZR1 is the fastest?
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful factory ZR1 ever. Unsurprisingly, the C7 model is also the fastest variant ever. Specifically, the crown prince of the C7 generation managed to hit 60 mph in under 3.0 seconds on its way to a sub-11-second quarter mile.
Still, the ZR1 isn’t a sprinter; it’s a track-ready bully. For instance, owners who opted for the ZTK package got grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, a spectacular wing, and tunable dampers. As a result, a ZR1 ZTK could generate as much as 950 pounds of corner-hugging downforce per Car and Driver.
What transmission does the 2019 Corvette ZR1 have?
The raucous C7 ZR1 has two transmission options: an eight-speed automatic and a seven-speed manual transmission. In fact, the 2019 Corvette ZR1 is one of the last models to pack a manual before the C8 swapped to the TREMEC TR-9080 dual-clutch transmission (DCT) as a sole option.
Therein lies one of the C7 ZR1’s many claims to the argument that it was the last “great” Corvette. In addition to being the final prolific front-engine model, the ZR1’s seven-speed manual transmission channeled its hilarious horsepower with a familiar three-pedal setup, an application that many Corvette fans have wanted since the C8’s inception.
Is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 discontinued?
Still, even with the C7 ZR1’s mighty merit and old-school appeal, the eighth generation of the sacred performance car is an evolutionary step. The ZR1 might be great, but it’s certainly not the last great Corvette.
What do you think of the supercharged ‘Vette? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
