The seventh-generation is now hailed as the ultimate Corvette ever made and as the era of a front-engine Corvette comes to an imminent end, Chevrolet gave this generation a much-needed happy ending it needs; the C7 ZR1.
The ZR1 marks as the C7 Corvette's finishing blow and what better way to say farewell to the era of the front-engined, rear-wheel drive Corvette is by unleashing the most powerful and fastest Corvette ever made.
The 6.2L LT5 V8 engine pumps out a monstrous 755HP of power and 715lb-ft of torque and comes with the biggest supercharge to date, delivering peak boost pressure of 13psi and 52% larger displacement than the LT4 supercharger. The engine comes with the new dual fuel injection system which uses a port fuel rail and injections in addition to the Direct Injection system, and top it all off, it comes with a dry-sump oil system, where oil is pumped to the engine from a 9.8 quart-capacity tank within the engine bay to make sure it never goes to its critical levels.
With this engine mated to the available 8-speed AT, it has a top speed of 212mph, making it the fastest Corvette ever made. Apart from the speed it delivers, the available ZTK Track Performance Package, the specially-tuned suspension, and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires, as well as its Magnetic Selective Ride Control made the C7 ZR1 a track weapon on its own will.
A Corvette that packs more power than your normal Dodge Challenger Hellcat and some aggressive dynamics, that really is a recipe for madness enough to upset Godzilla and King Kong but not enough to intimidate its chief rival, the old 991.2 -spec Porsche 911 GT2 RS. While this car packs more power than the ultimate 911 I've mentioned, the 911 GT2 RS is lighter than the ZR1 and would you like to know how fast did this ultimate Vette went through the Ring? Well, we can't because Chevrolet never said how fast it went through the Ring but never mind about that because in my impression, it seems that the dynamic character the C7 ZR1 possesses is too much to bear and in the game of cat-and-mouse, you can really feel how intimidating its handling may be but as you got the hang of it, the C7 ZR1 really is a prized weapon that can blow nearby rivals like a pump-action shotgun.
Speaking of shotgun, it's time to ride shotgun with the C7 ZR1 to see if this is the parting gift for the Corvette enthusiasts since this marks the imminent end of the front-engined Corvette era. But first...
Of course, this is more than enough to shed some tears for someone who remembered the moment a certain member of a girls band announced her departure and in her last show, she named her replacement to take over her role.
Anyway, tear-jerking aside, it's time to give the C7 ZR1 a much-needed send-off to the era that made the Corvette great. Roll the tape.
The Corvette C7 ZR1 showed me that it really is the best send-off to the era that made the Corvette great and although I wanted to call it a day after a much-needed tribute to the ultimate Corvette, looks like it wants to strum its bass some more as I now head to Fortune Island for one more try.
The C7 Corvette pushed the envelope on what America's best sportscar should be and as its era came to a bittersweet end, rest assured that the ZR1 tried so hard to deliver the happy ending it needed and it did, sort of. We're going to miss this great era of what made Corvettes great and I'm glad I'm part of its climax.
It's an honor to meet with you, America's best sportscar. You served your role very well to the end. Thank you very much and we'll see you on the other side.
