Chevrolet’s hottest supercar isn’t coming to Australia

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, packing a twin-turbocharged version of the Z06’s flat-plane crank V8, has been ruled out for our market.

Revealed last year, the ZR1 is the most powerful member of the mid-engine C8 Corvette family, at least for now since an electrified twin-turbo V8-powered Zora is rumoured to be waiting in the wings.

General Motors already builds all other members of the C8 range – the Corvette Stingray, E-Ray and Z06 – in both left- and right-hand drive at its Bowling Green Assembly in the US state of Kentucky, making the eighth-generation supercar the first global Corvette.

But the ZR1 will be the first member of the C8 family not to be built in right-hand drive and sold worldwide.

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“Unfortunately not, [it’s not built] in right-hand drive,” confirmed GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala when asked if the ZR1 will come here.

However, when asked whether any future, hotter Corvettes – like the rumoured Zora – are therefore ruled out for Australian release as well, Ms Bala said: “Not necessarily, no.”

“But right now we’re very comfortable with the lineup that we have with Stingray, E-Ray, Z06,” she continued.

“As things are developed, if we see an opportunity we’ll absolutely have the right discussions with headquarters around it, but ZR1 unfortunately there are no plans to bring that out here.”

The C8 ZR1 is the quickest and most powerful Corvette ever.

Available as a coupe and convertible, the ZR1 packs a twin-turbo 5.5-litre double overhead cam flat-plane crank V8 engine called the LT7, which GM says is based on the LT6 in the Corvette Z06 – itself the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine ever.

Chevrolet engineers have installed twin turbochargers, a first for a factory Corvette, bumping outputs up to 783kW (1064 hp) of power at 7000rpm and no less than 1123Nm of torque at 6000rpm.

That’s 318kW and 528Nm more than in the Z06, giving it a top speed of more than 346km/h.

Chevrolet claims a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of just 2.3 seconds when equipped with the ZTK Performance Package, or 2.5 seconds without.

For context, the E-Ray’s 0-60mph claim is 2.5 seconds, the Z06 with the available Z07 package (standard in Australia) completes the sprint in 2.6 seconds, and even the Stingray with the Z51 package does it in just 2.9 seconds.

Chevrolet didn’t just tack on a pair of turbochargers to the Z06 to make the ZR1, with the company touting a raft of modifications to the V8 engine.

The hand-assembled bent eight has a larger combustion chamber, a new intake system and head castings with unique ports, and a secondary port fuel-injection system, among other enhancements.

The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has received inner and outer input shaft upgrades, increased control valves, and final drive refinements to handle the significant increase in power.

And for the first time in 60 years, a production Corvette has a split rear window – though this is a much wilder-looking vehicle than the iconic C2 Corvette.

There’s a carbon-fibre ‘spine’ between the two rear windows, available either in body colour or exposed weave, which is aimed to increase heat extraction from the engine compartment.

There are numerous other changes that also improve performance and enhance the Corvette’s aesthetics, including additional air ducts, a carbon-fibre roof, and available carbon-fibre wheels.

The optional ZTK Performance Package adds a larger rear wing, front dive planes, and a tall Gurney flap – all made from carbon-fibre.

Underneath, underbody strakes replace the standard front underwing stall Gurney to increase front downforce.

GM says the carbon-fibre aero package creates over 544kg of downforce at top speed.

ZTK-equipped models also get stiffer springs and stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.

The standard ZR1, in contrast, rides on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, with unique 20-inch wheels up front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.

Behind these sit a new brake system with carbon ceramic rotors. These measure 400mm in diameter up front and 390mm at the rear, with the front ones being the largest ever equipped in a Corvette.

The ZR1 features GM’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0 system with magnetorheological dampers.

All up, dry weight is 1665kg in coupe guise and 1705kg as a convertible.

A report from GM Authority in 2020, which accurately predicted all the members of the C8 Corvette range revealed to date, said there will eventually be a new flagship called the Zora to slot above the ZR1.

Named for the man considered the father of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov, this flagship will reportedly also use a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8, but mated with all-wheel drive and a hybrid system like the Corvette E-Ray’s.

MORE: Everything Chevrolet Corvette