Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12.This particular Chevrolet Corvette has a 5732cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Corvette shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corvette's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1593 kgs (3511 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Corvette shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 5732cc 16V V8 engine produces 411 bhp (306 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 385 lb-ft (521.9 Nm) @ 5200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Corvette you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 (283.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 258.0 bhp per ton and 241.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 Corvette competing with the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 (283.0 bhp per ton) or the 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello (282.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Corvette generating around 241.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1965 Jensen CV8 FF 6.3L V8 (266.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo 996 (266.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.82 secs @ 106.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (12.80 secs), the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), and the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 has a maximum speed of 181mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 Corvette equals the 2013 Bentley Continental V8 S (192 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 then how about the 2013 Bentley Continental V8 S (192 mph), the 2007 Nissan Skyline R35 GTR (192 mph), or the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (193 mph).

Related Links:

1995 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison