How the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is Cementing its Title as America's Supercar
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is unmatched in its performance. The ZR1 does 0-60 in 2.3 seconds, which makes it the quickest Corvette ever. Chevrolet’s halo car has 1,064 horsepower and recently reached a top speed of 233 miles per hour during testing in Europe. Now, Chevrolet confirms that the 2025 Corvette ZR1 equipped with the ZTK Performance Package can reach new records, running the quarter mile in 9.6 seconds. Based on these figures, no current production car under $1 million rivals the Corvette ZR1.
The 2025 Corvette ZR1’s quick performance is enabled by Corvette’s standard Launch Control and Custom Launch Control features, found throughout the lineup from Stingray to ZR1. Launch Control is programmed to manage tire spin and transmission clutch application rate. Custom Launch Control allows the driver to have more control to adjust for real-time conditions, optimizing acceleration runs by adjusting launch RPM and wheel slip targets from the steering wheel controls.
C8 Versions and 0-60 Comparison Numbers
- Stingray with available Z51 package: 2.9 seconds
- Z06 with available Z07 package: 2.6 seconds
- E-Ray: 2.5 seconds
- ZR1 with available ZTK package: 2.3 seconds
New Record-Setting Lap Times at Different Tracks
Chevrolet wants to make sure that people understand the recently set records are not one-off circumstances. So, Chevy took the Corvette ZR1 to several different tracks and set new lap times at each of the tracks. Chevy even used four different drivers to drive home the point that the ZR1 is an extraordinary vehicle. With four different professional General Motors drivers behind the wheel, the Corvette ZR1 has set five new production car lap records during a U.S. track tour.
According to Chevrolet, these are the five tracks and the Corvette ZR1’s lap times, each with a GM driver at the wheel:
- Watkins Glen Long Course: 1:52.7. Driver: Bill Wise, Lead Performance Engineer, Chassis Controls.
- Road America: 2:08.6. Driver: Brian Wallace, Lead Vehicle Dynamics Engineer.
- Road Atlanta: 1:22.8. Driver: Chris Barber, Lead Development Engineer.
- Virginia International Raceway Full Course: 1:47.7. Driver: Aaron Link, Global Vehicle Performance Manager.
- Virginia International Raceway Grand Course: 2:32.3. Driver: Aaron Link.
Records Set with Pre-Production ZR1
The Corvette ZR1 used to set the records is equipped with the optional ZTK Performance Package. The ZTK Package notably adds an aggressive, high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, and a tall hood Gurney lip – all constructed from woven carbon fiber. Underbody strakes replace the standard front underwing, to substantially increase front downforce. The suspension tuning included in the ZTK package incorporates stiffer springs and adds Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R ZP tires.
“Corvette ZR1 continues to showcase how this nameplate elevates at every corner,” Corvette executive chief engineer Tony Roma said. “From design, engineering, development, validation, to driving and setting incredible lap records like these – we do it all in house.”
I have written countless stories on the ZR1 and Chevrolet continues to emphasize that the incredible performance can be achieved by different drivers.
The 2025 Corvette ZR1 Key Performance Details
- It has a 5.5L, twin-turbocharged LT7 DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine
- 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm
- 828 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm
- The most power ever from a factory Corvette
- The most powerful V8 ever produced in America from an auto manufacturer
- The fastest car ever built by an American auto manufacturer, capable of 233 mph
- Carbon fiber aero package creating over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed
The MSRP for the Corvette ZR1 starts at $174,995 for the 1LZ coupe and $184,995 for the 1LZ hardtop convertible. Those prices include destination charges. However, individual dealers will set the final prices. Production is scheduled to begin at General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky in the second quarter of 2025, and Chevrolet will begin accepting orders for the 2025 Corvette ZR1 later this month. If you are truly in the market for a ZR1, reach out to a dealer and be ready to order as soon as it opens. They are expected to be collector’s items and sell out quickly.
Chevrolet Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
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