Hennessey C7 ZR1 Proves its Power on the Track — and It’s Sensational!

When you consider 445 HP extra over the stock 755 HP for the C7 ZR1, is there such thing as overkill? Maybe.

Just when you thought that the C7 was over and missing out on the spotlight due to its younger sibling the C8, we bring you this. This is the Hennessey HPE1200, one of the latest products to come from famed aftermarket tuning shop and manufacturer, Hennessey Performance. This performance package takes a stock ZR1 and turns it into something completely out of this world.

We will start by stating that the C7 ZR1 by itself completely stock is already too much car for the street. It is also too much car for the canyons. Hell, it may even be too much car for the track. It was designed with only one thing in mind: on-track performance. It does just that in the most unforgiving way possible and you love every second of it. 755 HP is crazy to manage in any car. This performance pack brings that power level up to just about 1,200 HP. What the hell you expect to do with that much power is beyond us, but hell if you got the itch, we understand. Thanks to Hennessey Performance on YouTube, we get to see how what this upgrade is all about on track.

According to the video, this HPE1200 upgrade retains the factory components for the most part. The factory supercharger is ported, the throttle body is upgraded as is the pulleys. There is an intake, camshaft, springs, retainers, valves, lifters, and pushrod upgrade. The headers and exhaust are upgraded as well. From what we understand, the bottom end is 100% stock. If the user is running the 8-speed transmission, it does need to be upgraded by Hennessey. If the owner has a manual, then it requires no modifications other than maybe a clutch. This power level will not be streetable however, because it requires race gas to make those figures.

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From what we understand, the HPE1200 does not make any other modifications to the ZR1 other than those power-related upgrades. Our opinion in this matter is that the ZR1 from the factory was at the borderline of what could be considered usable power. Adding 445 HP to the ZR1 won’t help it in anyway, rather it will hurt it by unbalancing already on-the-edge vehicle. If the appropriate supporting modifications would have been to the car to support near 500 extra ponies, we would probably change our mind about this. Simply slapping on a handful of power will only turn the car into a party trick.

Considering the C7 ZR1’s purpose is all-out lap time dominance, we think if we owned one, power would be the last thing we would add. We honestly think that your money is better spent elsewhere, because this upgrade will not be cheap. The video states that this is a test drive on track, but really, it’s just a guy who doesn’t know too much accelerating in a straight line every now and then. Show us proof that this is faster around a track than a stock ZR1 and we’ll believe the hype!

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