Is Chevy Underrating the Corvette ZR1? The Dyno Says Maybe

The new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is a powerful machine. The standard model makes 1,064 horsepower, while the even more insane ZR1X cranks out an astonishing 1,250 horsepower. But it looks like even Chevy might be underestimating the ZR1’s true potential.

Hennessey recently took order of a ZR1. Following a quick 2,000-mile break-in period, the shop immediately strapped Chevy’s flagship Corvette onto the dyno. The results? A jaw-dropping 1,051 horsepower and 821 pound-feet of torque at the wheels.

At first glance, those numbers might not seem all that impressive—but most sports cars typically lose 10 to 15 percent of their power between the crankshaft and the wheels. In this case, the Dynojet results suggest that the ZR1 is losing just around 2 percent, which means it could be even more powerful than Chevy’s official figures.

If we assume a more typical 10 percent drivetrain loss, simple math puts the ZR1’s total output around 1,150 horsepower at the crank. That’s nearly 100 more than Chevy’s estimate.

Of course, dyno results can vary depending on conditions and a number of other factors, so these numbers aren’t exactly set in stone. Still, there’s a chance that Chevy might be underrating the ZR1 slightly. We wouldn’t even be shocked.