Performance credentials are everything to a car like the C8 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and recent testing shows this car is faster than anticipated.
When horsepower figures hit four digits, and the engine is behind the driver, you know you’ve got a serious performance car that’s ready to show how fast it can be. The new Corvette ZR1 is such a car, bringing incredible power and speed to the track. Recently, this car was tested by the Car and Driver team, and it was quicker than expected, making it the quickest RWD car they had ever tested.
Where does the amazing power come from?
The ZR1 is the most recent top dog in the Corvette kennel. This version gets its power from a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup is good for 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers alone are enough to make you want to get into the driver’s seat and take off, but the actual results from testing are even more impressive.
The test results
When tested, the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 reached 60 MPH in only 2.2 seconds. This is lightning-fast, but that’s not the end of the story. This car can also complete a quarter-mile run in 9.5 seconds at 149 MPH. Very few top drag racers can achieve this time and speed. Chevrolet claims the ZR1 has a top speed of 225 MPH, but don’t be surprised if this car is tested and reaches an even higher top speed.
The quick sprint to 60 MPH means the Corvette is now the record holder for Car and Driver, which was the McLaren 750S and Ferrari 296 GTB, both of which have been put behind the latest Corvette.
Is this Corvette a bargain supercar?
The base price of the Corvette ZR1 is $174,995, which is not a bargain price for most drivers, but when you compare it to other cars in its class, the Corvette is the most affordable. Other cars in the same vein as this version of the American supercar include the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which begins at $241,300, the McLaren 765LT, which starts at $382,500, and the Lamborghini Revuelto, which starts at $608,358. Unless you absolutely must have one of the European models, the Corvette is the more affordable choice in this class.
Its heavier, but faster
Chevrolet allows the ZR1 to be faster than competitors that are lighter by using better tires. This offsets the weight disadvantage, which is hundreds of pounds compared to the 750S and 296GTB. This seems to be a rather American thing to do; simply give the car much better power or better tires, and it will outshine the competition. Of course, that doesn’t always work; the Corvette hasn’t been at the top of the class very often, especially when going up against legendary European supercar names.
How does it stack up to previous Corvettes?
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the latest Corvette ZR1 is the fastest car to ever wear the name. This car has explosive acceleration that could be impossible to handle if you’re not ready for it. The 2006 Corvette Z06 was powered by a 505-horsepower LS7 engine, and it could reach 60 MPH in 3.6 seconds. The 2025 Corvette ZR1 runs from 60 to 120 MPH in 3.9 seconds, which is incredibly fast considering you’ve already passed highway speed. It only takes 23.8 seconds to reach 200 MPH in this amazing car. If you go back to the beginning, the 1957 Corvette tested by Car and Driver reached 60 MPH in 6.6 seconds. That’s three times slower than the latest Z1 model.
The ZR1 is made for every track
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is not simply a straight-line rocket. It’s optimized for every track, especially road courses. This is especially true when the ZTK Performance Package is included, which gives it magnetic selective ride control and Cup 2R tires. To be a top track performer, this car also requires the carbon-fiber wheels and the Carbon Fiber Aero package. The massive wing from the Aero package allows the ZR1 to generate more than 1200 pounds of downforce.
When performance figures reach those of the C8 Chevy Corvette ZR1, we sit up and take notice. GM quotes a 2.3-second time to 60 MPH, but the Car and Driver team was able to beat that and allow the latest ZR1 to sit atop the performance mountain. Is the new Corvette ZR1 the performance car you’re looking for?
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