Tuesday 11th February 2025

Watch 1,078hp Corvette ZR1 set five US lap records

From Road America to VIR, there's now no faster showroom spec supercar than the ZR1

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The Corvette ZR1 was always going to be an exceptionally fast car around a circuit. Pretty much anything with more than 1,000hp would be, but combine that with loadsa downforce, super sticky Michelin tyres and not all that much weight, and phenomenal lap times were pretty much guaranteed. So now Chevrolet has gone out and emphatically proved it to everyone. 

At four circuits across the USA, it has claimed five production car records for the ZR1. Some of the really iconic circuits, too: Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, plus Virginia International Raceway (the Full Course and Grand Course). For every lap, there was a member of the development team at the wheel, which is pretty cool - certainly more interesting than a hotshoe racing driver. They’re all Nurburgring Industry Pool certified, so not the average employee off the shop floor, but it shows what can be achieved by a range of drivers. So Bill Wise, Lead Performance Engineer of Chassis Controls, was driving at Watkins Glen, Brian Wallace (Lead Vehicle Dynamics Engineer) at Road America, Lead Development Engineer Chris Barber at Atlanta and Aaron Link - Global Vehicle Performance Manager - at VIR. The pre-prod ZR1 used was equipped with ZTK Performance Pack, with the big rear wing, front dive planes and Cup 2Rs. 

The lap times are rapid alright. The 1:52.7 at Watkins Glen puts the Corvette comfortably ahead of GT4 and TCR racing cars there (both in the 1:54s); at Road America (2:08.6) it’s as fast as a Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo and half a second ahead of a new 911 Cup car. They have a lot less power, sure, but those times will be on slick tyres, with actual racing drivers at the wheel, and even more downforce. The 1:22.8 at Road Atlanta is again a match for the Ferrari, and quicker than the iconic M3 GTR racer of the early 2000s. Finally at Virginia International Raceway, where some big straights can really make the most of the power, a 1:47.7 makes the Corvette nearly two seconds a lap ahead of the Ferrari race car. The GT3 lap record on the VIR Road Course is barely three seconds quicker than the Corvette.

“Corvette ZR1 continues to showcase how this nameplate elevates at every corner,” said Tony Roma, Corvette executive chief engineer. “From design, engineering, development, validation, to driving and setting incredible lap records like these – we do it all in house.” And it’s all going to be available for $175k to domestic customers. So while the ZR1 is offering the very best in contemporary high performance, it hasn’t forgotten the old Corvette appeal of maximum bang for buck. Let’s hope and pray it makes it to the UK at some point - there are surely some lap records it could break here as well…

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• Wild new Corvette ZR1 makes 1,078hp
• 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | PH Review

[Petrol_fumes]

It's pretty impressive stuff.

... and I know it's only my opinion, but sadly, in my eyes it's potentially the worst looking 'Vet ever.

In the real world, I'd take a previous gen ZR1 any day.

Still... that power, over the counter is staggering

[Wadeski]

It's incredible it can beat dedicated track cars in a street configuration, but I'd like to understand how it compares to a 750S, or a Senna, or an SF90. It's worth remembering this thing is cheaper than a base 911 Turbo. It's fifty grand less than an Artura. It costs HALF what a 296 GTB does.

A quick google shows that on the long Virginia International Raceway circuit, the 'Vette is twenty-one seconds quicker than a 2017 Nissan GT-R, which is not known for being slow.

Bring it to Europe, bloody some noses

[Magikarp]

Wadeski said:

It's incredible it can beat dedicated track cars in a street configuration, but I'd like to understand how it compares to a 750S, or a Senna, or an SF90. It's worth remembering this thing is cheaper than a base 911 Turbo. It's fifty grand less than an Artura. It costs HALF what a 296 GTB does.

A quick google shows that on the long Virginia International Raceway circuit, the 'Vette is twenty-one seconds quicker than a 2017 Nissan GT-R, which is not known for being slow.

Bring it to Europe, bloody some noses

I can’t imagine, if I was the lucky situation of being in the market for a Porsche 911 Turbo, looking at one of these. They’d not interest me, even in the event of a lottery win.

[Gecko1978]

These look nice seen a few on the road when I was in the US (regular not ZR1) an the sf90 os hardly pretty so why not I say

[Kawasicki]

Looks do nothing for me, but love the fact it exists.

[ChrisCh86]

Very, very cool. Shame that the price for the regular Z06 over here is so high!

I still don't like the looks of the C8, but I appreciate the engineering that's gone into this one. What a machine. If I lived in the USA, I'd definitely have one.

[The Pistonsdead]

Congratulations to all the team. And especially the car in question too. Some terrific times set and with different drivers makes it all the more so.

[Cristio Nasser]

Will be fun to see the inevitable ‘ring time and the subsequent wailing and sour grapes from the establishment.

[blasos]

Wild and raw - kudos to Chevrolet!

[GTRene]

great specs and results, bravo.

for me I find it in the real world to big a car.

the engine though, fantastic as a crate engine for into a smaller lighter car :-)

[Terminator X]

Love this car, shame it is so expensive in the UK. Same for the GTD.

TX.

[Arsecati]

Why no lap times from other road cars listed, just race cars? Kinda hard to judge it against its peers, if we don't know what times they set themselves!

[Wadeski]

Arsecati said:

Why no lap times from other road cars listed, just race cars? Kinda hard to judge it against its peers, if we don't know what times they set themselves!

A bit of googling suggests the last Ford GT did a 2:38 around VIR, and McLaren Senna did it in 2:34.9....

So the 2:32 the ZR1 did is very, very quick.

[1Tom1985]

Can we get this in the UK? Love it. Looks amazing and definitely something different in the UK to another Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche etc

[McRors]

Not a beauty but with that performance and price who cares! Musk built the best rocket for $300 million, Europe built a worse rocket for billions. Go figure.

[CG2020UK]

Love it!

Surprised the hate for the looks I think it looks brilliant!

[vdn]

Corvette don't get enough love here in the U.K. Awesome car.

[UTH]

vdn said:

Corvette don't get enough love here in the U.K. Awesome car.

Perfect excuse to unashamedly post up my car.
Corvette definitely getting love from me, but agreed they’re not widely liked.

[ZX10R NIN]

I haven't seen this in the flesh but I have seen a Z06 which is a much better looking car than I think it's given credit for.

Then there's the way they drive, on that note I feel it's a bit of a crime that more Stingray's aren't on UK roads.

[HighwayStar]

CG2020UK said:

Love it!

Surprised the hate for the looks I think it looks brilliant!

Can’t fault its ability but looks are subjective. I’d have a good look around one if I saw one out of interest and curiosity but just don't see and attractive proposition. I wouldn’t knock anyone who does though.