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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1 - an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design.
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"Chevrolet's goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much - and does so with exceptional driveability," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.
The ZR1's basic stats:
All-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 targeted at producing at least 100 horsepower per liter, or 620 horsepower (462 kW), and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque (823 Nm)
Six-speed, close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmission
New, high-capacity dual-disc clutch
Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube
Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip
Twenty-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires - P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear - developed specifically for the ZR1
Standard carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors - 15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear
Larger brake calipers with substantially increased pad area
Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension
Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with ZR1-specific dual vents
Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window - offering a view of the intercooler below it
Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, exposed carbon-fiber weave
ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections
Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout
Only two options: chrome wheels and a "luxury" package
Curb weight of approximately 3,350 pounds (1,519 kg)
The specialized components of the new ZR1 work harmoniously to deliver the most powerful and fastest automobile ever produced by General Motors. Performance estimates will be announced closer to vehicle's summer 2008 launch.
"Preliminary testing shows the ZR1 builds on the highly respected Corvette Z06 in every performance category, from acceleration and braking, to cornering grip and top speed," said Peper. "It all boils down to the power-to-weight ratio and the ZR1's is exceptional - better than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599 and even the Lamborghini LP640. In fact, the ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mph."
By the numbers
In addition to the exterior cues and powertrain, ZR1 models will be distinguished from other Corvette models by their VIN. Each will carry a unique, identifying VIN digit, as well as a sequential build number. This makes it easy to determine the build number of a specific car - information treasured by enthusiasts and collectors. For example, a ZR1 with a VIN ending in "0150" would indicate it is the 150 th ZR1 built for the model year.

 

I don't think anything GM has done, except dumping Oldsmobile, has disappointed me so. (My dad was an Oldsmobile man -- I liked everyone one he ever owned).

Anyway, the ZR1 is just a horribly overpowered SC'd big V8 "muscle" car -- all muscle and no brains. I went that route with my 'vette (704 RWHP at the end) and it was a fun hot rod project: but mine was a lousy street car -- I could and did drive ti every day -- it really drove like stock, but you couldn't use more than about 500 RWHP on the street, even with drag radials. And the Zr1 will be the same, too, although its computer torque control will avoid any problems.
I'd be much prouder of GM if they had put full time four wheel drive on their Z06 and maybe tweaked the LS7 by 50 HP or something to make up for the added weight of the four wheel drive. It would be a faster car all around -- probably even through the quarter mile, and more balanced. Instead, the ZR1 is an extreme, everything-for-sheer-power-hot-rod.And no offense to GM --the ZR1comes with a warranty and all --but for every ZR1 they produce, there will be five or six supercharged 'vettes' modified by their owners out there somewhere that will just kill it in the quarter mile: 600 RWHP vettes are not that rare any more, and the ZR1 won't even reach that (I'd expect about about 575 RWHP).
I'd be even prouder of GM if they went to a small V8 (say 5 liters, with cylinder deactivation) in the base model, and added a 40 HP electric motor for a hybrid - but that won't happen soon.
Meanwhile, I do dream of a hybrid Carrera: 2.4 liters in four cylinders of direct injection of, say, 240 HP, with a 60 HP electric motor (of about 300 ft lbs torque off the line), and 30 mpg city. Times change, and cars need to, too.