2009 Corvette ZR1 Superthread!!

[davidlane]

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...72#post1022772


Just when we were tired of paying for spy photos, GM serves up an early Christmas present. Here's your first look at the new 2009 Corvette ZR1, Chevrolet's supercharged, mega-horsepower, asphalt shredding, passenger-screaming, victim-seeking, street killer. Yes, it's finally here.


EVEN PICS!!!!!!


wow dude. forget the jalopnik site. but heres lots more info incase you never heard of the site before.

Asked the question, "Why do a ZR1?" Corvette Vehicle Line executive Tom Wallace shoots back, "Because we can. We have the technology inside General Motors to do a car that can go up against any supercar from around the world," he continues, punctuating the thought with this threat: "I can't wait to take on any Porsche with this car, and we're going to be right in there with the Ferrari [599s] and Lamborghini [Murcielagos]." Whoa, ease off the Red Bull, Tom. This is a just a souped-up C6 Corvette, right? Or did you slip a mid-engine V-12 in without the blogosphere noticing?

An hour with chief engineer Tadge Juechter reveals that this is indeed a Z06 upgraded with the best tech in GM's arsenal. A ZR1 was never part of the original C6 plan, but, at an early program review, the Z06's proposed aluminum frame, carbon-fiber parts, and LS7 engine so impressed CEO Rick Wagoner that he reportedly wondered aloud, "Geez, if that's what you can do with $60,000, I wonder what a $100,000 Corvette would look like?"

I also found this interesting:

They started with turbochargers for efficiency's sake, but switched to supercharging when Eaton unveiled its latest four-lobe Roots-type blower. This new unit boasts thermal efficiency of nearly 76 percent (up from some 60 in the best three-lobe blowers) -- near turbo efficiency with no lag.

Brembo calipers grabbing gigantic carbon-ceramic rotors designed for Ferrari's Enzo and FXX. (At an expected price of near $100,000, the ZR1 will be the least expensive car with standard CCM brakes.)

The [carbon] fibers are visible on the roof and hood inner, and to prevent ultraviolet light from degrading them a special additive costing over $60,000/gallon (!) is added at three-percent concentration in the thin clear-coat layer ($2000/gallon).

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...84.A13768.html

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...zr1_first_look

[Xenon]

I wish I had 100K right now.

[uboys]

Great picture of the quietest CEO in a long time:



Has anyone here ever met him?

Nice shots from Motortrend too:

[uboys]

By the way, this thing is 52/48. I wish it were more rear biased (48/52 or more), but it does have a nice trick to simulate rear bias when accelerating.

[E. Haskell]

I like this pic:

drool....

[BigAls87Z28]

Ok, one mega thread....tada!!!!!!!

[Ultra Magnus]

I am more of a sport sedan man, but this is now the only Corvette I have ever really wanted. Way to go GM.

[burningsquirrel]

:bowdown:

[greatwhite]

Go to Chevy's Website they have photos and other info. They say it is arriving late summer 2008. Go to the site its cool. "Long Live the King"

[coaster.n3rd]

Forget Jalopnik? nope.

nice thread though.

[tholland]

I like these engine illustrations

[likearock00]

Can GM accidentally leave one of these in my driveway for Christmas please??

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

I like this pic:

drool....

that is currently the background on my computer.. i love the color, the car.....etc

[Tone]

What I'm most curious about is how on earth this car will get that much power to the ground. Z06's already struggle to get 505 hp down (as witnessed by their high trap speeds for their low 12 second/high 11 second quater mile e/ts). This monster will have more than 100 extra hp, lots more torque and barely more tire (though it does weigh about 200 lbs more).

The electronic shocks do mimic drag shocks of old on hard acceleration and encourage more weight transfer to the rear ... and they have made first gear even longer. But, still -- you've got to wonder whether this will get representative 0 -60 and quarter mile times in the hands of testers.

[Xtreme08]

Originally Posted by Tone

What I'm most curious about is how on earth this car will get that much power to the ground. Z06's already struggle to get 505 hp down (as witnessed by their high trap speeds for their low 12 second/high 11 second quater mile e/ts). This monster will have more than 100 extra hp, lots more torque and barely more tire (though it does weigh about 200 lbs more).

The electronic shocks do mimic drag shocks of old on hard acceleration and encourage more weight transfer to the rear ... and they have made first gear even longer. But, still -- you've got to wonder whether this will get representative 0 -60 and quarter mile times in the hands of testers.

Speaking of an extra 100 horse, have any of the power ratings been confirmed yet? I read something about 620HP and 585 ft/lbs but those were estimated. Anyone know what the ratings really are?


PS. Most gorgeous Vette ever!!!!