The Corvette is an American icon. And while we don't really get too much of the left-hand drive only cars (and therefore banned in SA), we are self-confessed Corvette nuts.

More than just a musclecar, ZR1 transcends the supercar realm – in fact, if somebody wants to get clever and build a supercar for themselves, it seems that the best way to do that is simply take a Corvette and rework it to your own spec.

Just consider how many upstart companies have used the Corvette concept – or even just bought a Corvette and reworked it, to achieve that...

Corvette also goes way back to the early '50s, making it's legend more than 50 years old. It's pedigree is cast in racing stone, and with yet another Le Mans GT1 victory and a FIA GT victory against Maserati, Aston Martin, Saleen, et al being it's most recent successes.

There's no question that the Corvette is an eternal icon – it's a bargain supercar of the highest order and the arrival of a new one is always a big occasion

ZR1 is the fastest Corvette – Chevrolet has no qualms at calling Ferrari’s 599 and F430, Aston Martin’s DBS, the Lamborghinis its rivals – and going out and proving it just so on the racetrack. Chevy likes to tell you a few other unique little trivia about Corvette, too – like the fact that it will pull perfectly from 50 to 330km'h. In sixth gear.

That of course, is thanks to the good old Chevy V8. Okay, the 6.2-litre unit boasts a neat little supercharger nestling between its vee and it produces a rather impressive 475kW and 830Nm. But it's still that good old NASCAR V8 at heart – in fact the Chevy V8 has its origins – just like the Corvette – way back in the fifties.

The most prolific engine in history, the small-block Chevy 'mouse' V8 was approaching 50-million units sold the last time we looked, the blown V8 replaces the atmospheric 7.0-litre V8 in the previous ZR1. Which means the current car is also slightly heavier despite the prolific use of carbonfibre to pare some kilos off.

But with 475kW and 830Nm, who cares, really…

ZR1 blasts past 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds and on to that 330km/h with consummate ease and Chevrolet duly proved the car’s incredible credentials by whisking it around the Nurburgring Nordscheife in a record lap at the end of its development last year. Which prompted a flurry of response from jilted supercar makers who have subsequently managed to go quicker.

So despite whatever nonsense those critics may bring up about the 'Vette's 'less than ideal' 51:49 weight distribution or that it is powered by an ancient V8, the fact it laps the ring as quickly as it does proves it doesn't matter, no?

Anyway, ZR1's double-wishbone suspension with carbonfibre rear leaf springs benefits magnetically adaptable dampers and rides on a combination of 19-inch P285/30ZR19 rubber on the front and 20-inch 335/25ZR20s on the rear. Those Michelin PS2s are 10 inches wide in front, 12 inches at the back.

Braking is courtesy of six-pot callipers clamping 395 mmcarbon-ceramic rotors up front and 4-pot callipers on 380mm inch discs at the back.

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