Dyno Test Indicates Chevy May Not Be Honest About ZR1's Power | Carscoops

      It seems that the engineers behind the Corvette may have taken inspiration from Porsche, leading to an underestimation of the ZR1's power output.

      12 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      The Corvette ZR1’s 5.5-liter LT7 twin-turbo V8 might actually generate nearly 1,200 hp.

      If the ZR1’s engine is capable of producing that amount of power, then the ZR1X could potentially reach up to 1,350 hp.

      Chevrolet states that the new Corvette ZR1’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 outputs 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque. This performance allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in only 9.6 seconds at 150 mph. However, it appears that Chevrolet's reported horsepower and torque figures for the ZR1 may be quite conservative.

      Customer deliveries have recently begun, and the team at Paragon Performance in Waukee, Iowa, has already managed to obtain one and test it on the dyno. When left completely stock, the vehicle generated 1,028 hp and 839 lb-ft (1,137 Nm) of torque at the rear wheels.

      Read: America’s Everyday Corvette ZR1X Hypercar Versus The World

      It’s challenging to determine the precise powertrain losses the ZR1 experiences, but they likely fall between 10-15%. If that is accurate, the powerful twin-turbo V8 could be yielding closer to 1,130 hp and 922 lb-ft (1,250 Nm) of torque, or possibly even up to 1,182 hp and 964 lb-ft (1,307 Nm).

      To illustrate that horsepower figure further, Chevrolet claims that the flagship Corvette ZR1X produces 1,250 hp, benefiting from a 186 hp electric motor on the front axle. If the LT7 engine in both the ZR1 and ZR1X is closer to producing 1,200 hp on its own, it suggests that the ZR1X may truly offer more than 1,350 hp. This would elevate it even further into hypercar territory.

      Naturally, it's important to note that different dynos can yield different results, and without extensive testing on several dynos in varying conditions, it's impossible to definitively ascertain the exact power output of Chevrolet’s new LT7. Regardless of the final figure, it is evident that the company’s engineers have developed something exceptionally impressive by incorporating turbochargers into this race-inspired, high-revving engine.