The Corvette ZR1 is undeniably a beast in the real world. It’s a car that has shattered track records, including a notable one at Virginia Raceway in January, and consistently challenges performance benchmarks set by rivals like the Porsche 911 GT2 and McLaren 720S. It outpaces even formidable machines such as the Ford GT and Lamborghini Huracan Performante. The ZR1 occupies a different performance tier compared to cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, despite the Camaro’s own impressive capabilities.
However, when translated into the digital realm of racing games, the Corvette ZR1’s representation sparks debate. It appears the game physics engine pushes the ZR1 chassis to its absolute limits right out of the box. The car is equipped with tires geared towards track days, arguably even more aggressive than those found on a McLaren 720S. The ZR1’s massive rear wing further contributes to its downforce. This extreme setup from the factory might explain the limited upgrade paths available in-game. Some argue that the game is somewhat unfair to the Chevy Corvette ZR1 in its portrayal. While the tires are undoubtedly soft and grippy, they aren’t full-blown race tires. The stock handling being near its maximum potential leaves little room for improvement through upgrades, unlike many other cars in the game.
The decision to essentially equip the stock Corvette ZR1 with race-grade tires in the game effectively eliminates its competitiveness in the S2 class. Yet, considering its real-world performance metrics, the ZR1 arguably should be a strong contender in S2. In the lower S1 class, the ZR1 struggles due to its weight and excessive downforce. This situation mirrors the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR in S1, another victim of its stock Performance Index (PI) being too close to the class limit, hindering its upgrade potential within that class. At least the Viper ACR possesses enough grip to excel in S2.
In the S1 class, piloting the Corvette ZR1 on tracks like Moorhead Wind Farm Circuit yielded less than stellar results. The best performance achieved placed it in the bottom third of leaderboard rankings, even with optimized tuning. Interestingly, lap times were actually faster using the stock aerodynamic configuration compared to implementing aftermarket Forza aero parts. Converting the ZR1 to rear-wheel drive (RWD) surprisingly resulted in a car that was not only easier and more enjoyable to drive but also achieved lap times within a second of the best all-wheel drive (AWD) setup. For casual racing against AI opponents (drivatars), sticking with the RWD Corvette ZR1 configuration remains a compelling and fun option.
