by Impressive Test Results
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 nearly topped Edmunds’ performance rating, setting the fastest U-Drag time among internal combustion engine cars. Nearly — because it couldn’t surpass two ultra-powerful electric sedans that seem to bend the laws of physics.
Nevertheless, the latest Chevrolet model outpaced some of the most famous European cars and became the fastest Corvette C8 model ever tested by Edmunds.
Detailed Performance Metrics
During testing, the ZR1 accelerated to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds, covered the quarter-mile in 10.0 seconds at 144.1 mph, and recorded a maximum lateral g-force of 1.38g.
The full U-Drag run (there and back) took only 28.9 seconds with a top speed of 159.6 mph. All this was achieved in Track mode with the active Performance Traction Management system, allowing the 1064-horsepower car to grip the road firmly.
U-Drag Leaderboard
Only two cars posted a better time than the ZR1 in Edmunds’ ranking, and both are electric, not gasoline-powered.
Lucid Air Sapphire currently leads with an incredible time of 27.9 seconds and a speed of 163.3 mph, which is even more impressive considering its weight and luxurious equipment. Slightly behind it is the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with a result of 28.8 seconds and a speed of 155.9 mph.
Among the cars that lost to the Corvette are the Tesla Model S Plaid with a time of 29.3 seconds, as well as the McLaren 765LT and McLaren 750S with the same time of 29.6 seconds. The ZR1 is also faster than the Porsche 911 Turbo S, which posted a result of 30.8 seconds.
The top ten cars tested by Edmunds are rounded out by the Corvette Z06, Corvette ZR1, and BMW M8 Competition Coupe with times of 31.3 seconds, 31.7 seconds, and 32 seconds respectively.
Expert Commentary
“Edmunds U-Drags was conceived because we wanted to go beyond traditional drag racing and offer a more comprehensive assessment of a car’s performance,” said Alistair Weaver from Edmunds. “It’s a fun format, but it’s very competitive. To succeed, a car must brake and turn as well as it accelerates. We received many requests from Edmunds U-Drags fans to test the Corvette ZR1, and it did not disappoint. This 1064-horsepower, mid-engined colossus is now the fastest gasoline-powered car we have ever tested, surpassing exotic models that cost twice as much.”
An Even Faster Corvette
Despite the impressive speed of the ZR1, it is not the fastest Corvette model available for purchase. That title belongs to the all-wheel-drive, twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid ZR1X, which develops 1250 hp.
Chevrolet claims it can accelerate to 60 mph in less than two seconds and cover the quarter-mile in less than nine seconds. If Edmunds manages to test this model, even the Lucid Air Sapphire might be forced to concede its leadership.
These results demonstrate how competitive the battle between electric and gasoline cars has become in modern performance trials. Even considering the advantages of electric powertrains, traditional internal combustion engines continue to show impressive results, especially in high-tech models like the Corvette ZR1. Future tests of the hybrid ZR1X version could further shift the balance of power in the world of high-speed cars.
