2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is available in two separate trims that share the same powertrain. The 1ZR variant is the base that comes pretty much loaded with everything except for some additional personalization options and some interior features. These can be opted as optional for the 1ZR or you can skip all the red tape and go straight to the 3ZR that includes all the tech as standard.

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Even though both the trims are very similar, the 3ZR is a better pick since it gets you more features as standard. Shelling out an extra $2995 will get you the ZTK track performance package that will add a large 9” rear spoiler along with some additional mechanical upgrades that will make the ride even more thrilling and fun.

“The ZR1’s over-caffeinated heart is a progression of the Z06’s LT4 powertrain. A significantly larger supercharger port and direct fuel injection, and internal tweaks give birth to the ZR1’s LT5 V8.” –Digital Trends

Engine and Transmission

Under the hood lies the over-caffeinated motor of the ZR1 that produces an outrageous 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque, making it the fastest production Corvette ever. With its mind-boggling engine stats, this car has enough oomph to make any car think again of going on track against this beast. As soon as the engine is turned on, the hidden beast gets ready to unleash its wrath upon the tarmac and lay waste to its rivals out there. The burbling sound from the exhaust feels even more refined and full of bass than the LT4 Corvettes.

Like its coupe variant, this car is a crowd magnet but on a larger scale due to its top-down feature. When taken to a track, this car acts like an angry monster every time you throttle it up. The 7-speed manual transmission comes with active rev-matching, so you are never too overwhelmed when downshifting. There is plenty of power available at all ranges.

The McLaren 720S is what comes closest to matching the immensely powerful V8 of the Vette. Even though it costs nearly three times as much, it still falls short of matching the power figures offered by the Corvette ZR1. Both the Merc and McLaren feel smoother with their dual-clutch automatic transmissions. The manual surely offers a hands-on approach but is not as slick when shifting gears.

Acceleration

The massive power output of the Corvette ZR1 is put to good use. The new Vette is a throttle happy car and gets the rider to 60 mph in under 3 seconds. The gas pedal feels natural and has a great response that enables it to spit power even with the slightest push. Though it has some wheel spin when the pedal is mashed in, it manages to make up for this with ease. The acceleration is breathtaking, keeping you in awe of the supremely powerful engine. Before you can gather your senses, you are already on the way to 100 mph.

It is unsurprising that a supercar like McLaren 720S wins over the Corvette ZR1 in a drag race. What's surprising is that it doesn't win by much. The split second of difference can be easily overlooked once you consider the price gap of both the vehicles. No vehicle that costs below the $300,000 can hope to match the ZR1 n terms of speed, as the numbers for the Merc and Jag clearly show.

Braking

The new ZR1 comes fitted with Brembo Brakes as standard that offers exceptional braking performance. The Brake pedal is well-tuned, feels natural to use, and is quite easy to modulate. While decelerating, the brakes work really well, no matter if you are stopping from 50 mph or 100 mph. There is never a moment when the the Corvette's thrust becomes uncontrollable.

Yet again, it is the McLaren 720S that comes closest to the Corvette ZR1. There is only a minor difference between the 720S and ZR1. The Corvette's massive brakes and lightweight body gives it an advantage that other performance convertibles simply cannot compete with.

Ride and Handling

As soon as the steering wheel is taken into the hands, the rider feels quite confident because of its firmness and control. The car is quite responsive at corners and translates the feedback from the ride really well. Like its younger sibling, the Z06, the ZR1 has a well-balanced steering column and comes with 3 driving modes to give the rider a unique driving experience in each mode.

Kudos to the well-balanced chassis, steering wheel, and suspension system, the car has great road manners. The suspension system feels stiff but the magnetic ride control does a good job in making the ride smooth by filtering out harsh parts of the road. The car stays glued to the tarmac while cornering. The negligible body roll makes the ride even better. The engine noise is the only noise that fills the cabin, even at highway speeds. It is a good thing since that 755-hp behemoth sounds better than any rock n' roll song.

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 can be expected to not deliver much on the fuel efficiency side. Still, it fares fairly better than its rivals in delivering a few miles per gallon of premium fuel. It can become your ca of choice for a weekend excursion, although the engine grunt will constantly remind you of the true purpose of this beast. For maximum driving range, it evens up to the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT C by having a smaller fuel tank.

“This two-seater is cozy but wide enough across to allow enough wiggle room so that it never induces claustrophobia.” -Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

It’s a common notion that a 2-seater vehicle can’t be spacious and comfortable. Chevrolet breaks this notion, offering a comfortable cabin with much space left to stretch. Though not for relaxing, this car will definitely make the ride comfortable after a long day at work, making the driver feel what it is like to drive around a couch. The build quality could be better. While there are a lot of premium materials that line the panels inside the car, there are a few plastic bits that tone down the interior.

All thanks to the well-bolstered seats, sitting in the car feels quite comfortable. There is just enough space not to let the cabin feel claustrophobic. The dual-zone climate control system works well in tandem with heated and ventilated seats, providing a pleasant atmosphere inside the car regardless of the outside climate conditions.

Getting in and out of the car is not a problem with the top down. With the roof present, the sharp edges along the sloping roofline might pose a problem for taller drivers. The doors are no-nonsense, unlike some fancy supercars that open in seven different directions before letting anyone in. The seats and steering wheel offer a wide enough range of adjustments to suit a driver of any body shape and size.

Infotainment

With so many gizmos that inhabit the inside of the car, the interior looks far from being simple. With lots of angles and curves incorporated, it looks more akin to a fighter jet cockpit than a high-performance sports car. The dashboard incorporates a large 8-inch touchscreen that uses Chevrolet's tried and tested SYnc3 infotainment system. Also, there is a hidden storage space behind the touchscreen which can be accessed by just a button press.

The car comes equipped with all of the features to keep both the driver and passenger entertained. There is a transparent HUD, which displays all of the necessary data like car speed, time, etc., helping the rider to keep the focus on the road. Its positioning, though is not that great as it competes for visibility with the hood bump. Some other infotainment features include:

• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Auxiliary Cable Input
• USB Port
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
• AM/FM/HD Radio
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Performance Data Recorder
• Voice Recognition System
• Proximity Sensing Keyless Entry
• 9-Speaker Bose Audio System

Cargo space

Another notion that many people share is that the convertibles aren’t as practical as the coupes since they don’t offer a substantial cargo space for storage. The Corvette tries hard to prove this notion wrong. The cloth top occupies very little space in the trunk. So, you can easily get 10 cubic feet of storage. The trunk can be opened remotely and opens wide to let in taller items. The low height of the lid further makes it easier to load in any luggage.

Most of the other performance convertibles utilize a metallic roof that can only be segmented and folded into a rack that occupies a lot of the trunk space, thus limiting the car's cargo capacity. This is especially noticeable with the Merc's AMG Roadster, as the Coupe version can carry a class-reputable 11 cubic feet of luggage.

“Around town, the ZR1 draws a crowd when parked, unsolicited questions from grocery store employees retrieving shopping carts, and even more thumbs-up reactions on the road. It is as over-the-top as they come, as it should be.” –Motor Trend

Dimension and Weight

The engineers at Chevrolet did a great job in making the Corvette not just light and fast but also 

Exterior Features-

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 comes with a host of exterior features-

• Optional ZTK performance package
• Visible carbon fiber weave hood insert
• Removable Body-colored Carbon fiber roof panel
• HID headlamps
• Body-colored heated power outside mirrors
• Pearl nickel painted aluminum wheels
• Solar-Ray light-tinted glass

Even though it is great value for performance, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is still out there enough to avoid crash tests by federal authorities. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has granted any version of the Chevrolet Corvette a safety rating. There are also no advanced safety features aboard the Vette, which certainly makes you drive a little cautious when out on the open road. Nevertheless, several systems in place keep this mean machine in control of the driver at all times.

Safety Features

• Active handling stability control and traction control
• Performance traction management
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Emergency Services
• Rearview camera
• Curb view camera
• Airbag system
• Heads-Up Display

Corvette ZR1 1ZR convertible v/s Jaguar F-type SVR Convertible

Jaguar F-type, when pitted against the Corvette gives it a tough competition in almost all of the segments listed. Be its seating space, cargo space or fuel economy, the SVR really takes the battle to its American counterpart, but ultimately loses out. A car that balances out between luxury and performance, the F-type is definitely for those who want luxurious and plush interior. The ZR1 is a pure performance-oriented car that focuses on going fast than anything else. Considering their price tags, the Corvette is certainly the better deal. It is the one with the bigger engine, more practicality, and better road performance.

Corvette ZR1 1ZR convertible v/s Mercedes Benz AMG GT C Roadster

When pitted against the AMG GTC roadster, the ZR1 takes a clear victory as it beats the AMG GT C in almost all aspects. The AMG GT C roadster gives a high-end luxurious experience but lacks the power that the ZR1 so overtly flaunts. The Merc may be a more comfortable and composed cruiser, although the Corvette is not something that would tire you out over an extended drive. The AMG GT C invests its tech in safety, making it near impossible to crash the car at city speeds. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Corvette demands respect when trying to master its handling. The Merc can be considered by those who want a comfortable cruiser with the added benefits of some weekend track fun. For pure performance enthusiasts, the Corvette ZR1 is the better deal.

Corvette ZR1 1ZR Convertible v/s McLaren 720S Spider

Just the fact that the Corvette can go toe-to-toe with an expensive supercar like the McLaren 720S is enough to prove that the car has met its goal. Both cars don't back away in style, with sharp edges and many carbon fiber components on the body. Of course, the 720S is better than the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in terms of track performance, but just barely. It makes you question whether you want to purchase one 720S when you can get your hands on two Corvettes for the same money, and still have enough left to get yourself a luxury sedan to cater to all your commuting needs.

With an out of the world performance along with a drop-top that justifies its 6-figure price tag, this car really becomes desirable and will definitely attract attention to its presence. It never fails to lack attitude and has the agility to back it up. It definitely lives up to its predecessors, filling the mantel of the 'supercar killer' in an honorable manner.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

How fast is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1?

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 2.85 seconds and is capable of doing a quarter-mile run in 10.6 seconds. On a long enough straight, the ZR1 can reach a top speed of 212 mph, making it the fastest Chevrolet in history.

Is the Corvette ZR1 a supercar?

Yes. The Corvette has always been considered as a fast car. Its performance figures certainly put it above any regular sports car, making it able to compete with most supercars that cost much more than its price tag. This has earned the Corvette the nickname of 'supercar killer'.

What does the "ZR1" stand for?

The designation of "ZR1" stands for "Zora Racer 1". It is named after Zora Arkus-Duntov, who is widely regarded as the 'Father of Modern Corvettes'. The first ZR1 badge was seen on C3 Corvettes in 1970.

Do Corvette Convertibles depreciate in value?

Yes. Corvettes depreciate in value like most other automobiles over time. Although the curve of depreciation is not as steep as Chevrolet trucks and sedans, you can very well start losing substantially after the first three years of ownership. There are a few Corvettes that have made the vintage list. A 1966 Chevrolet Corvette L88 was auctioned recently for 3.85 million dollars.