Corvette ZR1 Buyer's Guide: Specs, Original Price, Recalls and Best Years for Every Generation

Name: Corvette ZR1 original MSRP and production by model year
Creator: CarWhere Research
License: https://www.carwhere.com/terms

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The Corvette ZR1 is Chevrolet's top-performance Corvette, offered in four modern generations: the 375–405-hp C4 ZR-1 (1990–1995), the 638-hp supercharged C6 (2009–2013), the 755-hp C7 (2019) and the 1,064-hp twin-turbo C8 (2025–present). The 2025 C8 ZR1 started at $174,995 including destination; the 2027 starts at $198,000.[1][2][5][7][9][11]

Model years: 1990–1995 (C4), 2009–2013 (C6), 2019 (C7), 2025–present (C8)[2][5][8][9][12]
Engines: LT5 5.7L DOHC V8 (C4); supercharged 6.2L LS9 (C6); supercharged 6.2L LT5 (C7); twin-turbo 5.5L LT7 (C8)[3][5][7][9]
Horsepower range: 375 hp (1990) to 1,064 hp (2025–present)[3][9]
Original MSRP range: About $58,995 (1990, base coupe + ZR1 package) to $209,000 (2027 3LZ)[1][9]
Body styles: Coupe only through 2013; coupe or convertible for 2019 and the C8[2][9]
C8 claimed performance: 0–60 mph in 2.3 s and 233 mph on track (ZTK package)[1][4]

Corvette ZR1 trims, engines & horsepower

Manufacturer ratings. A dash means no source we could verify publishes the figure.

Model / variant	Years	Engine	Horsepower	Torque	Transmission
C4 ZR-1 (LT5)Coupe only. GM says LT5 engines were built by Mercury Marine in Stillwater, Oklahoma, then shipped to Bowling Green for assembly.	1990–1992	5.7L LT5 DOHC 32-valve V8	375 hp @ 5,800 rpm[9][10]	370 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm	6-speed manual (required)
C4 ZR-1 (LT5)Output rose 30 hp for 1993 through cylinder-head and valvetrain changes. A dash-mounted Power Key selects FULL or NORMAL (about 210 hp).	1993–1995	5.7L LT5 DOHC 32-valve V8	405 hp @ 5,800 rpm[11][12]	385 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm	6-speed manual
C6 ZR1 (LS9)GM quoted a 205-mph top speed. Coupe only.	2009–2013	Supercharged 6.2L LS9 V8	638 hp[6][7][8][13]	604 lb-ft	6-speed manual
C7 ZR1 (LT5)13 radiators in total, per GM.	2019	Supercharged 6.2L LT5 V8 (2.65L supercharger, direct + port injection)	755 hp[5][15][16]	715 lb-ft	7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic
C8 ZR1 (LT7)Hand-assembled at the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green; the first factory-turbocharged Corvette.	2025–present	Twin-turbo 5.5L LT7 DOHC flat-plane-crank V8	1,064 hp @ 7,000 rpm[2][3][17]	828 lb-ft @ 6,000 rpm	8-speed dual-clutch

Corvette ZR1 original MSRP by year

Base price when new, as published by the manufacturer — not today's value.

Model year	Model / body	Original MSRP	Destination	Note
1990	ZR-1 coupe (base coupe + RPO ZR1)	$58,995[9]	—	Sum of the $31,979 base coupe and the $27,016 ZR1 Special Performance Package listed by GM; destination not stated
1994	ZR-1 coupe	$67,993[11]	$550	GM lists $67,443 base and $67,993 including destination and freight
2019	ZR1 coupe	$119,995[5]	—	Includes destination; ZTK Performance Package was $2,995
2025	ZR1 1LZ coupe	$174,995[2]	$1,695	Includes $1,695 destination
2025	ZR1 1LZ convertible	$184,995[2]	$1,695	Includes destination
2025	ZR1 3LZ coupe	$185,995[2]	$1,695	Includes destination
2025	ZR1 3LZ convertible	$195,995[2]	$1,695	Includes destination
2027	ZR1 1LZ	$198,000[1]	—	chevrolet.com starting price; destination treatment not stated
2027	ZR1 3LZ	$209,000[1]	—	chevrolet.com starting price

For 2025, the Carbon Fiber Aero Package (TOM) was $8,495 and the ZTK Performance Package $1,500, and ZTK requires the aero package. Tax, title, dealer fees and options are extra.

Corvette ZR1 production by year

Model year	Units built	Note
1990	3,049[9]	RPO ZR1 installations listed by GM
1995	448[12]	GM's 1995 kit says 448 were scheduled to be built in the final year

The GM sources we opened give ZR-1 counts only for 1990 and a planned figure for 1995. We found no GM totals for 1991–1994, the C6, the C7 or the C8.

Which ZR1 is which

Chevrolet's own engine timeline says the ZR-1 name first went on the LT1-powered Corvette option of 1970. The modern ZR1 started in 1990 and has appeared in four generations, each time as the most powerful Corvette of its era.

The C4 ZR-1 is a coupe-only package built around the DOHC LT5, with unique bodywork to fit 315-section rear tires. The C6 and C7 used supercharged pushrod V8s. The C8 is mid-engine, with a twin-turbo flat-plane-crank V8 and a convertible option.

Generation	Years	Engine	Output	Gearbox
C4 ZR-1	1990–1995	5.7L LT5 DOHC V8	375 hp (1990–92), 405 hp (1993–95)	6-speed manual
C6 ZR1	2009–2013	Supercharged 6.2L LS9	638 hp / 604 lb-ft	6-speed manual
C7 ZR1	2019	Supercharged 6.2L LT5	755 hp / 715 lb-ft	7-speed manual or 8-speed auto
C8 ZR1	2025–present	Twin-turbo 5.5L LT7	1,064 hp / 828 lb-ft	8-speed dual-clutch

Sources: [3][5][7][9][11][13][15]

C8 ZR1 performance and hardware

GM's tests on a non-prepped strip with 93-octane fuel put the ZTK-equipped ZR1 at 2.3 seconds to 60 mph and 9.6 seconds in the quarter mile. The standard-aero car ran 2.5 seconds and 9.7 seconds, with a 152-mph trap speed. Chevrolet lists a 233-mph track top speed with ZTK and a 3,769-lb coupe dry weight.

Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, with 15.7-inch front and 15.4-inch rear rotors. GM says an 80–200–80 mph run takes 24.5 seconds, 22% quicker than the C7 ZR1 and 53% quicker than the C6. The Carbon Fiber Aero Package makes more than 1,200 lb of downforce at top speed.

Standard chassis: Magnetic Ride, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
ZTK: stiffer springs, Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, high wing and dive planes (requires the Carbon Fiber Aero Package).
Chevrolet's Nürburgring time for the ZR1: 6:50.763.[1][2][3][4]

Fuel economy (EPA)

fueleconomy.gov lists C6 ZR1 years under the plain Corvette name; the 6.2L supercharged manual entry is the ZR1. C4 ZR-1 ratings are not listed separately.

Model year	Powertrain	City / Hwy / Combined (mpg)
2009	6.2L supercharged, 6-speed manual	14 / 20 / 16
2013	6.2L supercharged, 6-speed manual	14 / 21 / 17
2019	6.2L supercharged, 7-speed manual	13 / 19 / 15
2019	6.2L supercharged, 8-speed automatic	12 / 20 / 15
2025	5.5L twin-turbo, 8-speed DCT	12 / 18 / 14
2027	5.5L twin-turbo, 8-speed DCT	12 / 18 / 14

Sources: [13][14][15][16][17][18]

C4 ZR-1 details buyers ask about

GM's 1990 package included specific doors, rear quarters, rockers and rear fascia to fit P315/35ZR17 rear tires on 11-inch rims, plus a CD stereo, low-tire-pressure warning and a 6-speed manual. The engine block heater was not offered on the ZR-1.

For 1994, GM noted the LT5 used four-bolt main caps, factory Mobil 1 synthetic oil and platinum-tipped plugs. The Power Key on the dash switches between FULL power and a NORMAL mode limited to about 210 hp.[9][11]

Corvette ZR1 problems & recalls

NHTSA safety recall campaigns (from the NHTSA recalls dataset)
Campaign	Date	Model years	Component	Summary
18V360000	2018-05-31	2019	Air bags	Hard braking or acceleration may put the sensing and diagnostic module into a fault state, so air bags may not deploy in a crash. Names the 2019 Corvette ZR1. (498 vehicles potentially affected)[19]

Only 18V360000 names the ZR1. Corvette-wide campaigns that cover ZR1 model years without naming the sub-model: 11V491000 (2011–2012 coupes built Jan. 24–Sept. 1, 2011, rear hatch hinges), 24V418000 (2024–2025 seat belt retractors), 25V536000 (2023–2026 cars with a left-side radiator/fan, refueling fuel spill), 26V114000 (2026 owner's manual) and 26V213000 (2025–2026 turn-signal warning). The dataset lists no Corvette campaigns for 1990–1995. Check any VIN against these.

Check any specific car for open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Best and worst Corvette ZR1 years

Each call is tied to a documented fact — a mechanical change, a recall or a published rating — not opinion.

1993–1995Best bet

LT5 output rose from 375 to 405 hp for 1993, per GM; 1995 was the last year, with 448 cars scheduled.[11][12]

2011–2012Check carefully

Recall 11V491000 covers Corvette coupes built Jan. 24–Sept. 1, 2011 whose rear hatch hinges may not meet FMVSS 206.[19]

2019Check carefully

Recall 18V360000 (air bag module fault after hard braking or acceleration) names the 2019 ZR1.[19]

2025Check carefully

Launch year of the C8 ZR1; Corvette-wide recalls 24V418000 (seat belts) and 25V536000 (refueling fuel spill) cover 2025 models.[19]

Model-year complaint data across every Corvette: Corvette years to avoid.

What to check before buying a used Corvette ZR1

Run the VIN for open recalls; on a 2019 ZR1 confirm 18V360000 (air bag module) was completed.
On a 2011–2012 ZR1, check whether the build date falls in the 11V491000 hatch-hinge window (Jan. 24–Sept. 1, 2011).
On a 2025 or newer ZR1, check 24V418000, 25V536000 and, for 2026, 26V114000 and 26V213000.
On a C4, confirm the car is a true RPO ZR1 coupe: wider rear bodywork, P315/35ZR17 rear tires, LT5 engine and 6-speed manual.
On a C4, test the Power Key in both FULL and NORMAL; GM says NORMAL limits output to about 210 hp.
On a C8, confirm whether the car has the Carbon Fiber Aero Package and ZTK; Chevrolet's 2.3-second 0–60 claim requires ZTK.
Inspect carbon-ceramic rotors for track wear; they are standard on the C8 ZR1.
Confirm 1LZ or 3LZ on a C8: the 3LZ adds the 14-speaker Bose system and heated, ventilated Napa leather seats.

Corvette ZR1 prices today

Prices on used Corvettes vary widely with mileage, options and condition, so we don't publish a single value. Compare current listings below.

Corvette prices & listingsCurrent market prices and listings by model year.Search Corvettes for saleLive inventory search across dealers.Corvette dealer invoice & what buyers paidInvoice estimate plus verified buyer-paid prices for new Corvettes.Free Corvette window sticker checkEnter a VIN to check for the original factory window sticker — options and MSRP as built.

More Corvette research

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does each Corvette ZR1 have?

375 hp for 1990–1992 and 405 hp for 1993–1995 (LT5), 638 hp for 2009–2013 (LS9), 755 hp for 2019 (supercharged LT5) and 1,064 hp for 2025 onward (twin-turbo LT7).

How much did the Corvette ZR1 cost new?

GM listed the 1994 ZR-1 at $67,993 including destination and the 2019 ZR1 coupe at $119,995 including destination. The 2025 ZR1 started at $174,995 including destination, and the 2027 starts at $198,000 on chevrolet.com.

How fast is the C8 ZR1?

Chevrolet claims 0–60 mph in 2.3 seconds and a 9.6-second quarter mile with ZTK, and 233 mph on track. Without ZTK, GM measured 2.5 seconds and 9.7 seconds.

Was there a C5 ZR1?

No. The ZR1 ran 1990–1995 on the C4, then returned for 2009–2013 on the C6, 2019 on the C7 and 2025 on the C8.

Is there a ZR1 convertible?

The C4 and C6 ZR1s were coupe only. Chevrolet sells the C8 ZR1 as a coupe or hardtop convertible; the 2025 1LZ convertible was $184,995 including destination.

Who built the C4 ZR-1's LT5 engine?

GM says Mercury Marine manufactured and assembled LT5 engines in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and shipped them to the Bowling Green plant for ZR-1 assembly.

Has the Corvette ZR1 been recalled?

One NHTSA campaign names the ZR1: 18V360000 for the 2019 model's air bag module. Several Corvette-wide campaigns also cover ZR1 model years, so run the VIN.

Sources

Every figure on this page is footnoted to one of these sources. Secondary references are used only to corroborate manufacturer and government figures.

2027 Corvette ZR1 — Chevrolet (chevrolet.com)
Chevrolet announces 2025 Corvette ZR1 pricing — GM News
2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: The fastest, most powerful Corvette ever — Chevrolet Pressroom
Quickest of the quick: the 2025 Corvette ZR1 does 0-60 in 2.3 seconds — GM News
Corvette ZR1 Sets Lap Record at VIR (Jan. 31, 2018; archived copy) — Chevrolet Media (media.chevrolet.com, via Internet Archive)
2013 Chevrolet Corvette (archived GM Media vehicle page) — GM Media (media.gm.com, via Internet Archive)
Small-Block Engine Timeline — Chevrolet Performance (chevrolet.com)
LS9 Long Block — Chevrolet Performance (chevrolet.com)
1990 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit — GM Heritage Archive
1991 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit — GM Heritage Archive
1994 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit — GM Heritage Archive
1995 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit — GM Heritage Archive
2009 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2L supercharged, manual 6-speed — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
2013 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2L supercharged, manual 6-speed — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, manual 7-speed — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, automatic 8-speed — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
2027 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
Recalls Data (dataset 6axg-epim) — NHTSA via U.S. DOT data.transportation.gov

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, Corvette, Stingray, Z06, ZR1, ZR1X, E-Ray and Grand Sport are trademarks of General Motors.