Something to make Corvettes even more popular among the enthusiasts. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

In the first half of 2024 Chevrolet sold 16,661 electric cars and crossovers. That includes the Blazer EV, Bolt EV/Bolt EUV and Equinox EV.

What is notable is that during the same period there was a vehicle in the dealership that outsold all of those EVs combined: The Corvette.

There were 17,914 Corvettes delivered in the first half.

And while it won’t be launched until next year—and “launched” is a good word for this vehicle, the ’25 Corvette ZR1, while undoubtedly something that will be produced in limited numbers, will likely drive interest in the more readily available Corvettes.

The ZR1 is a special model, with its 1,064-hp 5.5-liter, twin turbocharged, DOHC flat-plane crank V8.

The car will have a top speed of over 215 mph.

And while it looks and certainly is fast, it won’t launch to the sky as there is a carbon fiber aero package that produces in excess of 1,200 pounds of downforce when the ZR1 hits top speed.

Now there are electric vehicles that have higher top speeds, though not many, and not readily accessible as at a Chevy dealer.

And the instant torque of an EV may be more impressive than the impressive 828 lb-ft that the ZR1 LT7 generates—at 6,000 rpm.

But the ZR1 will provide a visceral experience as well as the one predicated purely on acceleration.

This sensory suite of sound and vibration is simply something that cannot be as genuinely obtained in an electric vehicle.

At some point, after a sufficient number of enthusiasts, the type of people who would consider paying what is estimated to be on the order of >$180,000 for a car, haven’t driven combustion-powered vehicles, things like the ZR1 will fall out of fashion, undoubtedly being perceived as having insufficient refinement because of the very characteristics that make it so exhilarating to drive.

But that is well ahead of us.