Loss of the drivetrain is an awful thing.
You can see the horsepower of a car’s engine by reading the numbers. The real-world horsepower is less and is usually measured at the wheels with a dynamometer. Drivetrain loss is the result of power being lost due to friction and rotational inertia. The 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 is not the only car to experience drivetrain losses. Hennessey Performance released earlier this week a video showing some employees driving the ZR1, and yesterday the aftermarket tuner released another video showing the supercar on a dyno.
The ZR1 has a 13.5% loss in drivetrain. The ZR1’s supercharged 6.2 liter LT5 V8 motor produces 755 horsepower, and 715 pound-feet torque at the crank. The ZR1 produces 654 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft torque at the wheels. Drivetrain failure can result in 101 horsepower being lost. The ZR1 isn’t a slow car, but it does mean that the ZR1 can go fast. With 654 horsepower at its wheels, the ZR1 can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 2.85 seconds. It can also hit 100 mph in just 6.0 seconds. At 134 mph, the supercar can complete a quarter-mile race in 10.6 seconds.
Hennessey employees still praised the Corvette’s high-performance ZR1 despite it having only 654 horsepower. The earlier video elicited a wide range of reactions, from “For a stock car this is impressive” to “I would lose my license within a week.” It’s not that the ZR1’s drivetrain has been lost. The horsepower of automobiles with SAE International horsepower ratings is shown. This vehicle loses horsepower due to drivetrain loss, just like the ZR1.
Hennessey has three performance options for the ZR1, ranging in price from the HPE800 up to the HPE1200, if you aren’t happy with the loss of drivetrain power. The base package delivers 850 horsepower and 715 lbft of torque. Thanks to modifications such as a 7.0-liter engine overhaul and a high flow supercharger, the HPE1200 pack can produce an incredible 1,200 horsepower and 1,066 lb/ft of torque. This should compensate for any unfortunate drivetrain loss.