A New Speed Standard
The arrival of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 made a strong impression, but the ZR1X version promised to be even more impressive. Now it’s clear just how fast it really is, and these figures are truly capable of changing perceptions of the automotive industry. Chevrolet’s flagship model can now cover a quarter-mile in under 9 seconds using regular fuel and road-legal tires.
Details of the Record Run
Specifically, the ZR1X needed 8.675 seconds to cover the 1320-foot distance. Its terminal speed was 159 mph. It’s important to emphasize that these results were achieved on standard pump fuel, not E85, and on regular street tires, not slicks. Furthermore, Chevrolet performed this run with an electronic control unit calibration legal in all 50 U.S. states. Each of these facts alone is impressive, but together they look simply astounding.
Many manufacturers in this class use special slicks or semi-slicks during testing. Hypercar makers often publish power figures on E85 because they look more impressive. Chevrolet resorted to none of these tricks. Moreover, it seems the car was able to repeat this result, or something close to it, several times in a row.
Durability Test
The record runs were performed during final testing at the US 131 Motorsports Park in Michigan in October 2025. According to the automaker, the ZR1X completed several runs, with several consecutive attempts showing times under 8.8 seconds. This was not a one-off success.
During its best run, the ZR1X accelerated to 60 mph in just 1.68 seconds, covering less than 100 feet and reaching a peak acceleration of 1.75 g. For comparison, this unequivocally places it among hypercars. Except that its starting price is $209,700, not $2 million. Chevrolet claims that on unprepared surfaces it will still accelerate from 0-60 mph in 1.89 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in 8.99 seconds.
0-60 mph acceleration dynamics for the eighth-generation Corvette:
- Stingray with available Z51 Performance Package: 2.9 seconds
- Z06 with available Z07 Performance Package: 2.6 seconds
- E-Ray with available ZER Performance Package: 2.5 seconds
- ZR1 with available ZTK Performance Package: 2.3 seconds
- ZR1X with available ZTK Performance Package: 1.89 seconds
Technical Features and Comparison
It’s important to note that the record runs were performed in the ZR1X’s standard aerodynamic configuration, on standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and available carbon fiber lightweight alloy wheels. The launch was executed by Corvette development engineer and test pilot Stefan Frick, using Chevrolet’s proprietary Custom Launch Control system, which allows drivers to precisely tune launch rpm and target wheel slip.
Even compared to exotic competitors, the ZR1X holds its own. It is faster in the quarter-mile than the Bugatti Tourbillon and Pininfarina Battista, and is only bested by the fully electric Rimac Nevera R hypercar, which costs more than ten times as much. It even beats the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut on elapsed time. What comes next will likely catch the rest of the automotive industry off guard.
| Model | Quarter Mile | Terminal Speed | 0-60 mph | Starting Price |
| Corvette ZR1X (prepared surface) | 8.675 seconds | 159 mph | 1.68 seconds | $209,700 |
| Rimac Nevera R | 7.90 seconds | 186 mph | 1.66 seconds | $2.5 million |
| Pininfarina Battista | 8.55 seconds | 155 mph | 1.79 seconds | $2.2 million |
| Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut | 8.77 seconds | 185 mph | 2.4 seconds | $3.4 million |
| Bugatti Tourbillon | 8.80 seconds | 176 mph | 1.9 seconds | $4.6 million |
| Lucid Air Sapphire | 8.95 seconds | 158 mph | 1.89 seconds | $249,000 |
The success of the ZR1X may signal a paradigm shift in the world of high-performance cars, where an American manufacturer traditionally associated with affordable power now competes uncompromisingly at the very top. This achievement was made possible by combining hybrid technology, which provides instant torque, and aerodynamics developed from racing experience. Similar results achieved under conditions as close as possible to real-world use make the record not just a paper one, but proven in practice. This presents competitors with a difficult task: either significantly lower the prices of their exotic models or seek new technical solutions to catch up with Chevrolet in this new race for affordable super speed.