The Corvette ZR1 Is a Screaming Deal

By RK Motors - Aug 20, 2018
Chevrolet's 755 horsepower monster is the limit for the front-engined version of the model.
 
Source: Chevrolet Media
Source: Chevrolet Media
 
The thing about Corvettes is that large swathes of the public never seem to take them seriously. They have visions of automatic Corvette convertibles only being driven slowly by aging men on the highway that are heading to a Jimmy Buffett concert. But even that automatic base convertible is a better performing car than nearly anything else on the road.

That couldn't be more true with the ZR1, a car that takes the Corvette to the extreme. For years, the engineering team has been saying that the Z06 was the limit for the C7's configuration, an allusion to the upcoming mid-engine variant of the Corvette.

Yet the team found a way to extract even more performance from the C7. And somehow managed to make it the ultimate bargain in the process.

For about $143,000, you're getting a world-class sports car with 755 horsepower. That's the sort of power cars that cost twice as much, like the McLaren 720S and Porsche 911 GT2 RS, don't even have. It doesn't really give up anything to these cars in terms of performance either, which is a feat in itself.

It's not for the shy. This is a statement car with an engine that literally cuts a hole in the hood, wide wheels with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, a multitude of vents up front, and an exhaust note that can be heard from three towns over. That steps up with the ZTK track package that adds a wing you can host Thanksgiving on and other gnarly aero bits and pieces.

On this episode of R&T's Three Lap Reviews, Editor-at-Large Sam Smith and I (hi! I'm Travis) take the ZR1 out at Lime Rock Park to see just how nutty the most powerful Corvette ever is, and if it needs to change to a mid-engine layout.

SOURCE: Road & Track

AUTHOR: Travis Okulski