Jeremy Clarkson once referred to the Bugatti Veyron as quite possibly being the best car we've seen in our lifetime, and at that moment in time, it could’ve been true. But instead, the ideology of hypercars and four-figure horsepower became a chase for manufacturers and small brands alike, fueled by the pursuit of performance. And while millions of dollars could buy you any one of the countless hypercars on the market today, Chevrolet flipped the script by engineering the new Corvette ZR1X as a more affordable, American-made hypercar. On the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Jay dives into this just after recently taking delivery of his very own 1,250-horsepower Corvette ZR1X convertible .
Having been around and owning all calibers of cars, from Ford’s first Model T to McLaren’s iconic F1, Jay Leno appears to be the perfect spokesperson on the matter at hand, which in this case is only best described as the American dream. General Motors President Mark Reuss joins Jay as they talk about Corvette’s journey with the ZR1X, built in a union production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, by men and women to go head-to-head with the fastest and most expensive hypercars. Having owned ZR1 specs since the C6 generation, Jay is most impressed by the car’s evolution to a mid-engine configuration while still maintaining the feeling of an aspirational everyday driver.
His configuration, finished in a two-tone black-and-red design with a split interior, features almost every option available from Chevrolet, including carbon fiber wheels, Michelin Cup 2R tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a high-wing package for downforce. With the odometer reading only 510 miles, surpassing its mandatory, electronic break-in period, Jay leaves the garage behind the wheel of his brand-new Corvette ZR1X for its first spirited drive. Driving dynamics seem to be a main talking point inside the cabin, showing just how versatile the fastest and most sophisticated Corvette ever built really is, all at the press of a button and a push on the accelerator.
Without giving too much away, we can certainly report that Jay Leno thoroughly enjoys his new Corvette ZR1X so much that he’ll be making a trip to Bowling Green to personally meet Jason Neal, the man who built the motor of his car. Watch the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage by clicking below.
