Carson's Car Pics: 2025

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Corvette ZR1 (C8)

The ZR1 has returned as the top-of-the-line, best-performing Corvette model. The latest ZR1 was added to the Corvette C8 range for the 2025 model year and is powered by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo LT7 V8 producing 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.2-2.5 seconds and can accomplish a top speed of 233 mph. Exterior styling cues that distinguish all versions of the ZR1 from lesser C8 Corvettes include a massive air intake on the hood that Chevy refers to as the flow-through hood and side air inlets. While the example featured here is of the roadster, C8 ZR1 Corvette Coupes feature air intakes above the rear fenders next to the engine bay along with a split rear window that pays homage to the 1963 Corvette Stingray. A popular option available on the new Corvette ZR1 is the Carbon Fiber Aero Package, which adds more visible carbon fiber trim inside and out, a giant rear wing, dive planes, underbody strakes, and a tall hood spoiler. These add-ons from the Carbon Fiber Aero Package work together to generate over 1,200 pounds of downforce. Also available on the new ZR1 is the ZTK Performance Package, which adds upgraded brakes and tires along with a suspension tune. Inside, the ZR1's cabin is similar to those of other versions of the C8 Corvette. Most notably, a three-screen display is standard, consisting of a 12.7-inch center screen, a 14-inch driver info and instrument display, and a 6.6-inch configurable display located to the left of the steering wheel, and the center-console wall of buttons from earlier C8 Corvette models has been relocated to below the center touchscreen display.

Pricing for the new Corvette ZR1 starts in the low $180,000s and can climb up to around $230,000 depending on the body style, specific trim level, options, and dealer markup. Also new to the Corvette ZR1 is an even more powerful and insane version known as the ZR1X, which increases its total output to 1,250 horsepower thanks to an electric motor driving the front wheels. In addition, the newest flagship Corvette currently holds the lap record for the fastest American car around the famed Nurburgring with a time of 6:50.763. More recently, Chevy unveiled the Stars and Steel limited edition of the ZR1 and select other models to honor the U.S.' 250th birthday. The Corvette C8 ZR1 has been one of the top cars I have been wanting to see in person for a while, and I finally had the chance to do so after finding out through a random search that one of my local Chevy dealers had one in stock. More specifically, it was a yellow roadster in a 3LZ trim with the Carbon Fiber Aero Package. It may not be an ideal-spec ZR1 for me due to the paint color, but I am grateful to have now seen a new C8 Corvette ZR1 up close and taken advantage of this opportunity before the dealer potentially sells it. The new ZR1 is also one of the rarest hot commodities among Corvettes right now, making this showroom visit and photoshoot absolutely worth it. Overall, the new ZR1 is certainly one of the coolest, most insane, and most amazing Corvettes and American cars ever built, and I hope to see more examples of it in person as soon as next year.

Vehicle Specification Sources: Car and Driver, Chevrolet

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Sunday, December 14, 2025

Best of BMW CCA Cars & Coffee (December 2025)

The third cars and coffee I attended during the month of December is the last monthly BMW CCA Cars and Coffee of the year. Like every car meet that I know of taking place in December, this month's BMW CCA Cars and Coffee featured a holiday toy drive; however, not as many toys were donated to this year's Bimmer club toy drive compared to last year. Like in recent months, this December's BMW CCA Cars and Coffee went just about as expected. It was slow to start, but more vehicles showed up during the later half of the meet. The turnout and vehicle selection at the latest BMW cars and coffee were smaller and mostly different than those at last week's Porsche cars and coffee at the same spot. The vehicle selection at the last BMW CCA Cars and Coffee of 2025 consisted of mostly BMWs and other European enthusiast vehicles, along with some other lesser and more common cars. I also believe that the cold weather and morning fog also played a role in there being less variety, a bit smaller of a turnout, and no exotic supercars from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc. in attendance.

As per usual, I have compiled photos I took of the coolest and my favorite cars I saw at the latest local BMW CCA Cars and Coffee in no particular order and as close to a top ten as possible. The car on display there that certainly stood out to me the most was the Rolls-Royce Ghost, since I do not see those every day and at cars and coffees regularly. In addition, the white 992-generation Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe in this gallery was on display at the most recent BMW cars and coffee. However, the photos of it featured here are from this month's Porsche cars and coffee, since I saw that same one two weeks in a row and was only able to get recent photos of it at the former of the two recurring cars and coffees I normally attend every month. Overall, despite not having the most impressive, blow-your-socks-off vehicle selection compared to the cars and coffees I attended during the first weekend of December, this last monthly BMW CCA Cars and Coffee of 2025 was a great meet worth attending as we are nearing the end of the calendar year. Watch this space for more new content and end-of-year compilations heading your way in the coming weeks.

Rolls-Royce Ghost (Series I)