
2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Sets Unprecedented Performance Benchmarks | Image Source: www.motortrend.com
DETROIT, Dec. 21, 2024 — Chevrolet has stunned the automotive world with its latest iteration of the Corvette. The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, boasting a jaw-dropping 1,064 horsepower, is pushing the limits of combustion-powered performance. As per MotorTrend, the car clocks an astonishing 0-60 mph time of just 2.3 seconds and completes a quarter-mile in 9.6 seconds at 150 mph. These feats place the ZR1 among the fastest cars ever tested, rivaling electric and hybrid hypercars in speed while retaining its combustion engine identity.
What makes these numbers even more impressive is that they were achieved using 93-octane pump gas on an unprepared drag strip. This means no race fuel or specialized surface treatments were involved—just raw performance paired with Chevrolet’s advanced engineering. The testing utilized the optional ZTK Performance Package, which includes a high-downforce carbon-fiber aerodynamic package and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. Even without this package, the standard ZR1 delivers remarkable performance, hitting 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and completing a quarter-mile in 9.7 seconds at 152 mph.
Rising to the Top of Performance Leaderboards
The 2025 Corvette ZR1 ZTK has entered rare territory among performance vehicles. With its 2.3-second sprint to 60 mph, it ties with icons like the 2017 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous+, 2022 Ferrari SF90 Spider, and 2023 Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano for third-quickest car ever tested by MotorTrend. The standard ZR1, clocking in at 2.5 seconds, finds itself in another illustrious group, tied with vehicles like the 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S and the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series Beast.
Chevrolet’s achievement becomes even more significant considering that only a handful of cars ahead of the ZR1 are non-electric, non-hybrid vehicles. Among American cars, the ZR1 ZTK is now the third-quickest in history, behind the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Lucid Air Sapphire, showcasing its dominance in the combustion-engine segment.
Quarter-Mile Brilliance
The Corvette ZR1 ZTK’s quarter-mile performance is even more extraordinary. Completing the stretch in just 9.6 seconds at a trap speed of 150 mph makes it the third-fastest car MotorTrend has ever tested. It trails only the 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire and the Tesla Model S Plaid, tying with another Tesla Model S Plaid variant. This achievement cements the ZR1 ZTK as the quickest combustion-powered car on the list, surpassing legendary vehicles like the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano and the McLaren P1.
The standard ZR1 also shines in the quarter-mile, tying with the Ferrari LaFerrari in elapsed time but outpacing it with a higher trap speed. As noted by MotorTrend, these results underscore Chevrolet’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a combustion-powered vehicle can achieve.
Affordability Meets Supercar Performance
Despite its supercar-level performance, Chevrolet aims to keep the ZR1 accessible by exotic car standards. While the official price has not been revealed, experts anticipate it will fall well below $200,000. This positions the ZR1 as an unrivaled value proposition in the supercar market, offering performance on par with vehicles costing significantly more. Even the Lucid Air Sapphire, one of the few cars faster than the ZR1, is expected to command a higher price.
When compared to the Tesla Model S Plaid, which is priced under $100,000, the ZR1 holds its ground by delivering a traditional sports car experience with unmatched track capabilities. As MotorTrend highlighted, no electric sedan can match the ZR1’s handling prowess or the visceral appeal of its roaring engine.
A New Benchmark for Combustion Vehicles
The ZR1’s achievements mark a pivotal moment for combustion-powered cars in an era increasingly dominated by electrification. According to MotorTrend, Chevrolet’s conservative performance claims often understate the vehicle’s potential, meaning the ZR1 could exceed even these already impressive figures in real-world tests. Additionally, its use of pump gas and standard road conditions ensures the car’s performance is accessible to everyday owners, rather than limited to idealized test scenarios.
With a combination of groundbreaking speed, cutting-edge aerodynamics, and competitive pricing, the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is set to redefine expectations for what a combustion-engine car can deliver. As the automotive industry shifts towards electric propulsion, the ZR1 serves as a potent reminder of the enduring potential of traditional internal combustion engines.
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is more than a car—it is a statement of engineering excellence, blending affordability, accessibility, and record-breaking performance. As the industry awaits further testing, this modern marvel is already making its mark as one of the most significant releases in Chevrolet’s storied history.