Automotive
Chevrolet’s upcoming 2025 Corvette ZR1 has made an emphatic statement before even hitting showroom floors. With 4 experienced General Motors engineers behind the wheel, the pre-production ZR1 set five recent production automotive lap records at a few of America’s most demanding road courses. This track tour, conducted with a ZR1 equipped with the optional ZTK Performance Package, reinforces the model’s standing as the final word expression of Corvette performance.
The Lap Records: Corvette ZR1’s Dominance
The ZR1’s record-breaking tour saw it rewriting lap time history at five renowned U.S. tracks:
- Watkins Glen International (Long Course): 1:52.7 – Driver: Bill Clever, 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
Each of those times demonstrates the ZR1’s capabilities on tracks that demand speed, precision, and balance. What’s much more impressive? These records were set by engineers, not skilled race automotive drivers—showcasing how accessible the ZR1’s performance is to enthusiasts.
The ZTK Performance Package: The Secret Behind the Speed
The pre-production ZR1 used for these record runs was outfitted with the ZTK Performance Package, an optional upgrade that takes the automotive’s aerodynamic and handling capabilities to recent heights. Key highlights of the package include:
- High-downforce aerodynamics – An enormous carbon fiber rear wing, front dive planes, and underbody strakes to enhance stability at high speeds.
- Track-focused suspension – Stiffer springs and enhanced tuning for sharper responses in corners.
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R ZP tires – Extreme-performance rubber that maximizes grip and lap time consistency.
Combined with the ZR1’s 1,064-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter LT7 V8, this package transforms the Corvette right into a track weapon able to rivaling hypercars that cost several times more.
Driver Experience: The People Behind the Wheel
The engineers accountable for these record-setting laps aren’t just desk-bound designers—they’re seasoned performance drivers with a collective 65 years of GM Level 6 driving experience. Each of them has earned Nürburgring Industry Pool certification, a testament to their ability to push performance cars to their limits. Their diverse driving styles further validate the ZR1’s capabilities, proving that this automotive is each adaptable and confidence-inspiring at the very best levels of performance driving.
A Recent Benchmark in Performance Cars
With a top speed of 233 mph, a 0-60 mph time of two.3 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 9.6 seconds, the Corvette ZR1 isn’t just fast—it’s a world-beater. No other production automotive under $1 million offers this level of speed, downforce, and lap-time potential.
Pricing and Availability
Starting at $174,995 for the 1LZ coupe and $184,995 for the 1LZ hardtop convertible, the 2025 Corvette ZR1 offers hypercar-level performance at a fraction of the value. Chevrolet will begin accepting orders later this month, with production set to start at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky in Q2 2025.
The Ultimate Corvette?
With five lap records to its name before even reaching customers, the 2025 Corvette ZR1 proves that Chevrolet isn’t just maintaining with the performance automotive elite—it’s leading the charge. Whether on the road or the track, the brand new ZR1 sets a brand new benchmark for American supercars, proving that the Corvette name continues to push boundaries with every generation.
If these lap times are any indication, the ZR1 is greater than able to tackle the world.
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This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
