2019 Corvette ZR1 Goes 10.12 at 135 MPH Right From the Factory

We all knew the 2019 Corvette ZR1 was going to be fast. With 755 horsepower pumping out of its 6.2-liter V8, there was no way it could be anything else. But what we were not prepared for was just how fast it is in a straight line. After all, the latest ZR1 is clearly a corner carver destined for HPDE  events and road courses right off the assembly line, but relegating it to just turning duties would appear, at this point, to be a miscalculation.

We ran across this particular ZR1 while cruising the forums over at CorvetteForum.com. User “wfarmer.z” — who we assume is associated with the Rick Hendrick Chevrolet dealership in Richmond, Virginia judging by his message— posted up not just a time slip, but multiple videos of the new ZR1 going almost 9s at Richmond Dragway. That’s right, we said almost 9s.

Judging by the videos, it would seem they rented out Richmond Dragway last Friday to find out just what the Corvette could do in stock trim. Now, stock trim is being used somewhat loosely here. While the car is bone stock from stem to stern, the guys did slap a set of drag radials on the rear to give the car the bite it needed to translate all of those ponies to the pavement.

Though that might not be “bone stock”, the fact that the ZR1 is this fast with just a tire change is a testament to the massive amount of power oozing from its LT5. Clearly, any car making more than 670 horsepower at the rear wheels is going to have a hard time hooking on anything but a radial (or slick, dependent on the setup). As you can see on the time slip, the DA was a very acceptable +450 feet and the runs were accomplished earlier in the morning with temperatures hovering between 64-69 degrees.

After a quick burnout to bring the tires up to temperature, the ZR1 burst off the starting line with its 8L90 eight-speed transmission cracking off shifts in the meantime. When the dust settled, the car went 10.122 at 135.91 mph! What’s more impressive is that the ‘Vette cut a 1.57-second 60-foot time coming off the line. Obviously, the magnetic ride control and the drag radials did their job getting the car out of the hole.

With slightly better weather, this pass could have easily been in the 9s and we’re sure it won’t be long before we see one crack that barrier. However, that’s not to detract from the already amazing feat that is running low-10s right off the showroom floor. Chevrolet has already announced the stock ZR1 figures, setting the benchmarks at 2.85 seconds for 0-60 mph and 10.6 for the quarter-mile on factory rubber. This would suggest that a drag radial alone is worth almost half a second on the ZR1.

Image via Car and Driver.

This then begs the question what these things are capable with a smaller supercharger pulley and a tune. Our guess is that bolt-on ZR1s will be going basement 9s by the end of the year. The real question then becomes: what will break first? We might be looking at a car that is capable of going 8s with very little effort and fairly low risk to the drivetrain.

So, the next time one of your buddies says that the ZR1 was only designed to turn, give them an eyeful of this. Before you know it, the ZR1 is going to be gapping Demons and beating Porsche around the Nurburgring/Circuit of the Americas/any other track in the world.

About the author

Chase Christensen

Chase Christensen hails from Salt Lake City, and grew up around high-performance GM vehicles. He took possession of his very first F-body— an ’86 Trans Am— at the age of 13 and has been wrenching ever since.
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