ZR1

ZR1 is a designation used by Chevrolet to identify the highest-performance variants of the Corvette. It was introduced first with the C4 generation in 1990 as the ZR-1, a limited-run model engineered to offer performance beyond the standard Corvette. The C4 ZR-1 featured a hand-built, high-output V8 engine and other performance upgrades, and it is now regarded as one of the early flagship Corvette variants.

The ZR1 designation was revived for the C6 generation as a production flagship from 2009 to 2013. The C6 ZR1 was powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, known as the LS9, and incorporated extensive carbon fiber components, aerodynamic enhancements, and performance-oriented chassis tuning. It was Chevrolet's most capable Corvette for the C6 generation, emphasizing straight-line speed and track performance.

Beyond those two main production runs, the ZR1 name has appeared in Corvette-related media and limited editions, maintaining its status as a symbol of extreme performance within the Corvette family. The name and its usage illustrate Chevrolet's tradition of pushing the Corvette's capabilities through progressively more powerful variants, alongside other high-performance models such as the Z06.