2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 A Performance Car Of The Year Contender

The 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 wasn’t able to take home Motor Trend’s “Best Driver’s Car” title, but perhaps the most powerful Corvette to ever leave the factory will be successful elsewhere.

Road and Track has named the 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 a “Performance Car of the Year” contender, but like the “Best Driver’s Car” competition, it faces fierce rivals. In the running for the title aside from the Corvette is the McLaren Senna, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Ferrari 488 Pista, Mercedes-AMG E63S Wagon, Porsche 911 GT2 RS, BMW M5 Competition and the Audi RS5.

Those are quite formidable opponents for the Corvette to take down, and shockingly, the ZR1 isn’t to the most powerful car on the list, even with 755 horsepower.

Of course, it’s not all about power. The Corvette will be judged on its poise, track capability, stopping power and more factors in the pursuit for “Performance Car of the Year.” If previous testing is any indicator, the cards are stacked against the Corvette ZR1. In “Best Driver’s Car,” the Corvette ZR1 was said to be an untamed beast with a rear end that was never trustworthy. Power also had a hard time making its way to rear wheels, which only bolsters the case for a mid-engine Corvette in the very near future.

Even with the optional ZTK performance package, which opens up more aero goodies, such as a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, the ZR1 wasn’t good enough to take down some of the world’s best. Though, for whatever it’s worth, the car appeared to earn an accolade for the best-sounding car at the competition.

No matter if it wins awards or not, the C7 Corvette ZR1 will go down in history. The model is likely the front-engine Corvette’s swan song as Chevrolet prepares to usher in a revolutionary mid-engine C8 Corvette.