• Chevy claims the 2026 ZR1 makes 1,064 hp at the crank.
  • Hennessey’s dyno test showed 1,050 hp at the rear wheels.
  • Another shop recorded 1,028 hp and 839 lb-ft at the wheels.

The C8 Chevy Corvette ZR1 has pushed the envelope of what an American supercar can deliver, reaching performance levels that, not long ago, belonged almost entirely to high-dollar European exotics. Now, thanks to recent dyno testing, it appears the ZR1 might be hiding even more firepower than Chevrolet is letting on.

Read: Dyno Test Suggests Chevy Isn’t Being Truthful About ZR1’s Power

Officially, Chevy claims the 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 in the new ZR1 produces 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft (1,122 Nm) of torque at the crank. That output enables it to reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in a staggering 2.3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 9.6 seconds. Independent tests, however, have already shown it capable of dipping under the 9.3-second mark.

How Accurate Are the Official Numbers?

Recently, Hennessey Performance took delivery of a black 2026 Corvette ZR1 and will likely use it as a base to develop a slew of performance upgrades. To see just how much power it has, it was strapped onto a rolling dyno and in fifth gear, pumped out a remarkable 1,050 hp and 821 lb-ft (1,113 Nm) of torque, at the rear wheels.

Chevy Says The Corvette ZR1 Has 1,064 HP. Dyno Tests Say Otherwise

It’s unclear exactly what the powertrain losses of the new ZR1 are, but if they are around 15 percent, that means the car’s engine may actually be pumping out closer to 1,200 hp and 944 lb-ft (1,279 Nm), well up from Chevy’s claims. The dyno session was run at 77°F with 26 percent humidity, suggesting relatively standard conditions.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a new ZR1 turning in numbers well above factory specs. Back in June, another American performance shop recorded 1,028 hp and 839 lb-ft (1,137 Nm) at the wheels during a similar test.

Of course, dyno results can swing due to all sorts of variables, from equipment calibration to ambient conditions. With only a couple of data points, it’s premature to conclude that Chevrolet has underrated the car’s V8.

What’s indisputable is that the new ZR1 is a proper hypercar rival on a budget. And with the ZR1X, which adds an electric motor to the front axle, the lineup isn’t done pushing the envelope.