In the age of hyper EVs, it can be hard to get excited about acceleration. Family SUVs pump out sub-four-second runs to 62mph without any drama, and two-point-something is almost commonplace these days for the quick stuff. That was science fiction not long ago. But it turns out standing start sprints can still make your head spin with combustion power - the 1,078hp Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is proof enough of that.
With two-wheel drive, 93-octane Stateside pump gas and an untreated surface, it recorded a 2.5-second run to 60mph and a 9.7-second quarter mile in Chevrolet’s testing. That’s mad, tuner-level performance, not a regular showroom model that can be bought with a warranty (more on that in a sec). That’s as slow as a ZR1 will be, too; as well as better quality fuel elsewhere that should boost power, a ZTK package for the ZR1 brings Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tyres to further benefit traction. Thus equipped, Chevrolet reckons 2.3 seconds and 9.6 are possible, with both variants recording at least 150mph through the quarter mile. Patently the ZR1 was going to be fast, with all that power and 828lb ft from the twin-turbo 5.5 LT7 V8, but that sort of acceleration from a rear-drive car without any electrification is ludicrous.
“The 2025 Corvette ZR1 yet again exceeded our expectations”, said Corvette chief engineer Josh Holder, which is saying something from a 233mph supercar. A launch control system unsurprisingly features in the ZR1, as it does in all C8 Corvettes, managing wheelspin, clutch application and upshifts for ‘rapid launches automatically’. Those drivers who want to have some say on a getaway can use Custom Launch Control, perhaps on grippier, prepped surfaces, to adjust the launch revs and wheel slip threshold.
All well and good, you might be thinking, if a little disappointing given how unlikely UK sales are likely to be. Well, hold that thought, as a new deal has been agreed this week between Corvette in Europe and UK franchises to increase right-hand drive coverage. Arnold Clark will cover the north of England and Scotland, with Lumen Automotive representing Corvette in Shrewsbury. That’s in addition to the existing arrangement with Ian Allan in Virginia Water as an authorised Chevrolet retailer. The new dealers will launch both the standard and Z06 Corvettes in January; surely if they’re received well, the ZR1 is a dead cert…
1 / 2
