04:35 17-01-2026

C8 Corvette ZR1 wins Performance Car of the Year 2026 award

The Road & Track magazine has awarded the C8 Corvette ZR1 its Performance Car of the Year 2026 title. The editorial team put the car through its paces at Thunderhill Raceway Park and on Northern California roads, evaluating both outright speed and real-world behavior.

The standout feature of the ZR1 is its 1,064 horsepower, which is sent exclusively to the rear wheels. According to test drivers, the car's acceleration is staggering, yet it remains predictable and exhibits no bad habits on track. The magazine noted that despite its extreme power, the car quickly instills confidence in the driver.

On public roads, impressions were more mixed. Rain and semi-slick tires made driving more challenging, and on rough surfaces, some editors criticized the ride as being overly firm. However, in dry conditions, the feedback became significantly more positive.

In the final reckoning, the Corvette ZR1 edged out competitors including the Porsche 911 GT3, Lamborghini Temerario, and Ford Mustang GTD. The publication emphasized that the model delivers a level of performance typically expected from far more expensive rivals in the 2026 sports car segment.