The highly anticipated Corvette ZR1 has been the subject of many rumors regarding its engine. However, a discovery in the GM Parts catalog by the Mid Engine Corvette Forum may provide some insight. The catalog lists an “LT7” engine, which is an eight-cylinder gasoline engine with a 5.5-liter displacement.

The acronyms next to the engine, such as “DI” for direct injection and “VVT” for variable valve timing, are easily decipherable. However, “AFM,” which stands for active fuel management, is not planned for the Corvette ZR1 despite being listed in the catalog. The engine’s inclusion of cylinder deactivation technology, known as AFM, is unlikely according to insiders. It is still unknown whether the engine will feature the Z06’s flat-plane crankshaft or not.

Another interesting detail can be found in the catalog – the “M1K” codename for the gearbox. This is different from the “M1M” gearbox used in the Z06, the “M1L” in the regular Stingray, and the “MLH” in the E-Ray. Given the expected increase in power due to forced induction, it’s likely that the “M1K” transmission is a more robust option to handle the additional power.

Rumors suggest that adding a pair of turbos to the engine could result in an output of 850 horsepower and 825 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Corvette ever. However, this may not hold the title for long, as reports from Hagery indicate that Chevy is planning an even more powerful “Zora” variant with a twin-turbo hybrid V8 capable of producing up to 1,000 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, with the upcoming fully electric Corvette, the future looks promising for the American supercar.

The Corvette ZR1 is expected to be released next year as a 2025 model and is likely to have a higher price tag compared to the Z06, which starts at $112,700 for the 2024 model year.