Lifestyle

America’s Best

When the first Corvette rolled off the assembly line in 1953, it sported a 150 hp inline 6-cylinder engine linked to a 2-speed automatic transmission, yet it set the automotive world aflame for its fiberglass body panels and daring design.
Words by Bill Lindsey | February 25, 2025 | Lifestyle

The latest Corvette ZR1, although still a two-seater, has evolved to create a true fire-breathing, asphalt-shredding, barely road-legal beast. Powered by a twin-turbocharged, 5.5-liter, 1,064-hp V8 — the most powerful engine in any American production car — it has a top speed of 233 mph, guaranteed to make EV drivers clasp their pearls as it thunders past. The exterior is all about sharp angles and aerodynamics, from the splitter to the ginormous air scoops, all the way aft to the massive wing that helps prevent the car from taking flight. The suspension is tuned for maximum handling, and equipped with massive carbon ceramic brakes to keep all that power under control. The interior features a pair of form-fitting seats, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a huge touchpad infotainment system. Available as a coupe or a convertible, it’s proof America speaks sportscar fluently; Chevrolet.com