First C8 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Dyno Run Reveals Way More Power Than Anticipated

Let’s pretend for a second that the almighty Corvette ZR1X hypercar isn’t around. What’s the most powerful Corvette to date? That’s right – it’s the C8-generation Corvette ZR1, the non-electrified bruiser still proudly wearing the title of “America’s supercar.” It’s gone head-to-head with European exotics on the drag strip and held its own, so Chevrolet’s claims about this nameplate aren’t just smoke and mirrors. Or are they?

There are many ways to measure a car’s power, but the go-to method, especially when it’s time to separate myth from reality, is a dyno run. Thankfully, Paragon Performance has already strapped its C8 Corvette ZR1 onto the rollers. This one had just cleared its 500-mile break-in period. Even better, the whole thing was streamed live (see video at the bottom). No smoke. No mirrors.

Impressive Dyno Sheet Figures From The LT6 V8

To set expectations: Chevrolet claims the twin-turbo 5.5-liter LT6 V8 makes 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque at the crank. Since dynos measure power at the wheels, you’d expect lower numbers once drivetrain losses are accounted for. Except that’s not what happened, as with other power output claims we’ve seen.

After runs in fourth and fifth gears – including a 3-4-5 pull with deceleration logging – the dyno spit out 1,028.60 hp and 839.85 lb-ft to the rear wheels. Let that sink in: the torque number exceeds Chevy’s official figure, and horsepower is barely below it. Could Chevrolet be underrating the ZR1 on purpose? Is Chevy pulling a BMW with its latest ZR1? Well, maybe yes, maybe no.

Two Ways To Look At The Results

There are two ways to read this. The optimistic take? The conditions were ideal, the dyno was dialed in, and Chevy’s playing it coy, downrating the ZR1 to leave room between it and the electrified ZR1X. It’s a strategic move, not a miscalculation.

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The skeptical view? Maybe the test conditions weren’t perfect, or the drivetrain loss is so minimal it’s throwing off expectations. If that’s the case, the numbers need a second (and third) look. Repetition is the only way to bulletproof dyno data, and Paragon plans exactly that. More runs, more data, and ideally, independent numbers from other shops.

We’ve reached out to Chevrolet to clarify the ZR1’s drivetrain loss and whether there’s any discrepancy worth noting, so we’ll update this story once we hear a response. But for now, the C8 ZR1 is impressive enough to already come knocking on the ZR1X’s door. America wins.