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I had the chance to see the new Chevy Corvette ZR1 up close in June, and it left a lasting impression. In my nearly eight years of reviewing cars, I have never been so astonished by a car’s specifications as I was with this one. The performance of the 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8, which is supported by twin turbos, is astounding—it boasts 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. While we already knew the engine’s power was partly due to its 76-millimeter BorgWarner twin turbos, I only recently learned that these are the largest twin turbos ever used in a production vehicle.
This information comes straight from BorgWarner, which released a statement last week confirming their partnership with Chevy. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) highlighted that each turbo features a dual ball-bearing design with a 76mm forged milled compressor wheel, a ported shroud, and a 67mm turbine wheel—all housed in a mono scroll structure for optimal efficiency. Although the technical terms might sound complex, the key point is this: these turbos are incredibly capable and were specifically engineered for the ZR1. BorgWarner even adorned each unit with designs resembling Gemini rockets, a nod to the “Gemini twin” LT6 and LT7 engines.
Although larger turbos can be found in aftermarket products, typically exceeding 100 mm, we are specifically referring to factory-installed twin turbos here. While BorgWarner does produce larger turbos than the ones installed in the ZR1, this application is fundamentally different. The BorgWarner 7667s are designed to interface with the Corvette’s onboard computer systems, providing real-time data on the compressor wheel’s speed via a sensor. This kind of integration is much more intricate than any off-the-shelf option, as the components must meet the automaker’s strict durability requirements.
The development of this engine family has taken eight generations, as Dustin Gardner, assistant chief engineer for the LT7, shared during the car’s unveiling. The shift to a mid-engine layout for the Corvette had been speculated long before the C8 was introduced, and the addition of these two wide turbos to the already broad flat-plane crank V8 meant this performance powerhouse couldn’t become a reality until now.
“The C8 architecture was designed to make this possible, right?” Gardner explained. “The LT6, because of its height, couldn’t be positioned in the front, and the LT7, due to its width… with this much power and torque, a chassis like this is essential to harness it effectively. If you put 1,000 hp into a front-engine car, it wouldn’t be usable.”
Interestingly, these twin turbos are larger than those found in some of the costliest vehicles, such as the Koenigsegg Jesko, which also features a twin-turbo V8, but with smaller turbos. This has been a hallmark of the Corvette—offering performance that competes with European rivals at a fraction of the cost. While Chevrolet has yet to disclose a price for the ZR1, it is expected to be significantly less than the seven-figure hypercars it will face off against on the Nürburgring.
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