Testing the fastest and most expensive production Corvette ever created is a surreal experience.

This is the most powerful production car created by General Motors, a car that is at complete odds with the environment, the economic climate, political correctness – you name it and that’s what makes this car such a desirable and exciting machine.

The ZR1 recipe is an American original: front-engine V-8, manual transmission, lightweight fiberglass and carbon fiber body, rear-wheel drive and two seats. It doesn’t hurt that the engine is supercharged to the hilt and that it rolls on a super agile suspension backed with some stout brakes. A bonus is that this supercar is incredibly easy and mild mannered on a daily basis – if you want it to be.

Visually, the ZR1 doesn’t vary dramatically from the ZO6 model. Those in the know will spot the carbon-fiber hood and its peek-through window. The roof is a solid nonremovable piece and the carbon fiber front splitter and side skirts dress it up. There is subtle ZR1 badging and the blue brake calipers add just enough contrast with the chrome wheels.

The high-volume, pumping internals of this machine consist of the most powerful small-block Chevy engine ever created – a supercharged 6.2-liter, LS9 V-8 that cranks up 638 horsepower.

The ZR1 reaches that power peak at 6,500 rpm and 604 pound-feet of torque at a usable 3,800 rpm. The facilitator of the LS9’s performance is a new, large, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger developed for the engine by Eaton. It is teamed with an integrated cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance.

And perform it does as the supercharged engine produces a great exhaust note once you clear 3,000 rpm. The 20-inch Michelin rear tires spin effortlessly through first gear and the burning continues through second and into third.

While I didn’t officially instrument test the 0-60 time, I unofficially recorded a subfive second time, but there is more to be had and Chevy indicates that the ZR1 will top out at 205 miles per hour. The ZR1 does not behave like a finicky supercar; it is easy to maneuver around town and in heavy traffic. The transmission consists of a close-ratio six-speed manual.

The dual disc clutch is easy to engage and has a light effort with no fuss or finicky maneuvers to work through when putting this car into motion. The ZR1 pulls down Environmental Protection Agency mileage of 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway on premium unleaded. Not to bad considering the power here, but good luck maintaining those numbers.

The ZR1 is racetrack ready with handling that will meet the level of foreign exotics but it doesn’t have to be driven that way. Driving this car in normal mode is easy and it performed all sorts of mundane tasks including grocery shopping, taking a child to school and commuting to the office during my test.

Magnetic selective ride control is standard and tuned specifically for the ZR1. The bonus for drivers is the system’s ability to deliver a compliant ride with nearly instantaneous damping, while also allowing a choice of either sport or tour settings via the selective ride knob. Chevy indicates that ZR1 can deliver supple ride quality in a supercar capable of cornering grip of more than 1g.

Stopping power is derived from a carbon-ceramic-based Brembo brake system that is lightweight, heat resistant and fade and wear resistant. The rotors are huge at more than 15 inches in diameter. The braking performance reminded me of some racecars – impressive. We’ve got a Corvette with a high-performance engine, suspension tuning and stellar braking, so there’s no down side, right?

Well, not exactly. The current generation Corvette has taken hits for its interior and unfortunately the ZR1 is saddled with the same if only slightly upgraded Corvette interior. I’ve driven Porsches, Ferraris and top-end sports cars from other manufacturers and the ZR1’s interior comforts fall short of the competition.

Several components are off-the-shelf pieces and the upgrades that you might expect in other areas are simply not there. My test car even came with an optional ($10,000) interior upgrade package that included a navigation system, power/heated seats with two-tone leather interior and stitched logos, nice Bose audio system and side airbags.

The ZR1 has a starting price of $103,300. My test car had the interior package; additional options included $300 for the special atomic orange paint and a destination charge of $960, making the astested price $114,560. The ZR1 might just be the best regular supercar ever made and it’s ready to take on Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari and other exotic models.