Topic: Corvette ZR-1: official pics and info

[Mitlov]

620 horsepower and 595 pound-feet of torque from the all-new LS9 engine — a 6.2-liter version of the familiar Chevy small-block V8, fitted with an intercooled Roots-type supercharger from Eaton and mated to a new close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox with dual-disc clutch.

A low curb weight of 3,350 pounds gives the new ZR1 a better power-to-weight ratio than such high-priced, 12-cylinder Italian exotics as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640. Chevy boss Ed Peper claims the ZR1 will be "the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mph."

...the ZR1 gets standard magnetic selective ride control with track-level suspension and is capable of pulling better than 1g on the skid pad. The torque tube and half-shafts have been beefed up to handle the additional power, and Chevy has fitted carbon-ceramic brake rotors and larger calipers.

In addition to the chrome wheels, the only other option when the car goes on sale next summer will be a luxury interior package, with power sport bucket seats, leather trim, navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124026

[rrocket]

Gonna be $100K you figure?

[Mitlov]

Gonna be $100K you figure?

Since the Z06 is already US$70k, that seems reasonable.

[Snowman]

Wow….the 200 mph club for $100k

[Leviathan]

is capable of pulling better than 1g on the skid pad.

Lord Tunderin' Jesus 

[wing]

Meh whatever my car does 1.3g's

It's all in the tires.

[rrocket]

^^^^Really?  Have you tested it?  Just curious how you know that.

I often wonder what my Supra would do now.  .99G was stock.  Since then, I have better shocks, springs, wheels and wide grippy tires...

[Wolfe]

Wow.


I'm imagining it in black with all that unpainted carbon fiber

285/30ZR-19s in front and 335/25ZR-20s in the rear

Those are some chubby shoes.

[barrie1]

I would hate to see the cost of replacing them as I would imagine they will be expensive. 

[Zombie]

Meh whatever my car does 1.3g's

It's all in the tires.

Yes but does it go 200 MPH also?

[Zombie]

Those are some chubby shoes.

Does that make the new Viper a chubby chaser?

[rrocket]

I would hate to see the cost of replacing them as I would imagine they will be expensive. 

No doubt!!  My 315s run about $500 per....

[Mitlov]

Here's a few dozen high-resolution shots (up to 1600x1200):

http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2008-corvette_zr1/

I like the exterior a LOT more than the Z06.  It's all in the details.



The stitched leather dash really dresses up the interior, though it's still no R8.

[rrocket]

Mit....you hit the nail on the head.  Interior is awful looking.  This is passable on a $70K car...but a $100K one??  What's worse is GM is capable of making brilliant interiors now. (Malibu, CTS, Buick SUV, etc..)  Honestly...what would it have cost to upgrade it nicely?

What's with the hood?  Is it clear to show off the blower?  Is it glare?  Vented?  I can't quite make it out...

I like the carbon roof panel though!!!  Can get one for my car..but it's $1K..(ouch)

[Mitlov]

Mit....you hit the nail on the head.  Interior is awful looking.  This is passable on a $70K car...but a $100K one??  What's worse is GM is capable of making brilliant interiors now. (Malibu, CTS, Buick SUV, etc..)  Honestly...what would it have cost to upgrade it nicely?

That's actually not what I said at all.  I said that the interior was a lot nicer than the pre-2008 Corvette, though (obviously) still not at Audi levels.  But very few people are at Audi levels.  I think that with the leather-wrapped dash, it's just fine for the price point.  Without it it feels a bit cheap.

What's with the hood?  Is it clear to show off the blower?  Is it glare?  Vented?  I can't quite make it out...

Clear window (or maybe a hole?) to show off the blower:

[rrocket]

But you can get the leather wrapped dash for the "normal" Vette.  This car is "special" and as such it deserves a special interior.

I don't think it's good for the price point at all.   This is $100K car!!!!   It's shamed by cars costing half as much.  It's shamed by it's $25K Malibu and especially the CTS.  And if a Porsche had an interior like that for $100K, people would burn down Stuttgart......Like you said "it's all in the details"....

[Mitlov]

I don't think it's good for the price point at all.   This is $100K car!!!!   It's shamed by cars costing half as much.  It's shamed by it's $25K Malibu and especially the CTS. 

Wait for the C7 generation then, which will be a full re-do instead of simply adding performance modifications to the current model.  GM seems to be giving all of their cars new interiors when they're up for a new generation--they're not attempting to do completely re-do each interior when it's just facelift time.  But anyway, most Vette owners care more about scalping Ferraris around a track than impressing Ferrari owners with their HVAC controls. 

And if a Porsche had an interior like that for $100K, people would burn down Stuttgart......Like you said "it's all in the details"....

And this offers a LOT more performance than a $100,000 Porsche does.  $100,000 gets you into a 355 horsepower Carrera 4S with one or two options checked.  This is for $100,000 cars what the EVO and STi are for $35,000 cars.  Someone might protest "but an A4 3.2 has a nicer interior!  Audi would never get away with the EVO IX interior!"  True, but that's not the point of the EVO or the STi, which could scalp an A4 with only three cylinders firing.

[rrocket]

Well if I was GM, I would have ditched the leather dash covering and went with a carbon overlay.  A carbon overlay isn't a "stick on" carbon treatment.  It vacuum seals a piece of real carbon fiber over an existing interior piece.   

At least that way you'd get something a) a bit different than the regular Vette interior wise b) would suit the ZR1's "race-car" personality c) Would go along nicely with the other carbon bits.

And the interior DOES matter.  Several owners at the Supra club own multiple high dollar cars, and I've heard more than one time "I love the Z06 and would have bought one if the interior wasn't so bad".  You have to remember..guys putting up $100K are generally used to pretty nice interiors in their cars.  I agree..there are some hardcore guys that could care less.  But most people shelling out that kind of dough expect better....

[safristi]

says there will be an Optional Luxury Interior package fer those who wanna squeeze the dash and snooze inna seats............. ......

[wing]

Of course I tested it, with a G-tech, my friend has a GPS based system as well and pulls 1.2gs on lesser tires.


I've seen as high as 1.4 around corners higher in quick transitions.  Uber sticky tires rock.