Chevrolet’s upcoming C8 Corvette ZR1 has raised the performance bar yet again, setting lap records at five different race tracks across the United States. The supercharged sports car, the most powerful Corvette ever built, continues to redefine American performance standards.
The automaker confirmed that a pre-production ZR1, equipped with the ZTK Performance Package, conquered top-tier circuits with new record times, showcasing its blistering speed and precision engineering. Four Chevrolet engineers piloted the vehicle across the five courses, each securing a new fastest lap.
Bill Wise, Chevy’s lead performance engineer, kicked off the record spree at Watkins Glen International in New York, where he completed the long course in 1:52.6. Brian Wallace, lead vehicle dynamics engineer, followed with a 2:08.6 run at Wisconsin’s Road America. Development engineer Chris Barber then made headlines with a 1:22.8 lap at Road Atlanta. The final two records were set by global vehicle performance manager Aaron Link, who conquered Virginia International Raceway’s full course in 1:47.7 and the grand course in 2:32.3.
“We knew the car had the capability, but breaking these records confirmed just how far we’ve pushed the C8 ZR1,” Barber said. “It wasn’t just about beating the times—it was about obliterating them.”
Powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged flat-plane-crank V-8, the ZR1 boasts an astounding 1,064 horsepower and a top speed of 233 mph, making it the fastest production Corvette ever. The ZTK package further enhances performance with a high-downforce rear wing and advanced aerodynamic elements.
Production of the C8 ZR1 is set to begin this spring, with deliveries expected later this year. The model will start at $174,995, cementing its place as a premier supercar contender.