Review: Corvette ZR1

[nsap]

Review: Corvette ZR1
GM's $121,000 flagship takes one blogger for a ride.
March 11, 2010

The Corvette ZR1 is one of those cars that just screams “America can do it”. America can build a world quality sports car. Yes, you read that correctly. America can build a car that competes with and can beat Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s and more. While in development, the ZR1 was code named the Blue Devil with the reasoning behind that the current CEO at the time, Rick Wagoner, went to Duke and the mascot is the Blue Devil.

Let’s start with the specs. The hand built, supercharged LS9 V8 pumps out 638 hp and 604 ft-lb going to the rear wheels. The power is put down through a Tremec six-speed manual. The power goes to the rear wheels via two half shafts which are each different diameters to minimize wheel hop under hard launches. The driver’s side half shaft is larger to offset the weight of the battery being on the passenger’s side in the rear. Ride control features Delphi’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control system. The shocks in this set up provide real time dampening and change instantly with road conditions. There is a sport and touring mode which is controlled by a round knob on the center console. To save weight, the frame of the ZR1 is aluminum and many body panels including the fenders, roof, hood, front splitter and rocker extensions are all made of carbon fiber. The hood has a polycarbonate window that allows visibility of the intercooler and the polycarbonate window is visible on the hood while driving.

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[chevypowa670]

Just an amazing car ! Looks sick in red too.. Thanks for the review.

[Mike Reyna]

Hot!

[bcjohnso99]

One thing that has always amazed me about Corvettes is how low the hood is - mere inches above the front tire yet they can fit such a large displacement/high-output engine under there. Even more impressive with a supercharger attached.

[PHAT-JAY]

Damn I want one, but for 110k, I already got a c6, camaro, and avalanche 3 cars that total $100k. So maybe when I become CEO/CFO of the company I work for I can really indulge myself and buy one, but then again if I can afford I $110k car may opt for a Gallardo.

[mgescuro]

I thought ZR1's peaked at $105,000?
Too bad that interior screams $25,000.

[JeffInDFW]

The thing that impresses ME the most is that for Ferrari to get high levels of performance, they end up with such a brittle, high strung car that it requires INSANE levels of maintenance to not self destruct. The Corvette, meanwhile, performs at these levels and will do so mile after mile for 150,000 miles with nothing more than oil and filter changes.

[neshapop]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I thought ZR1's peaked at $105,000?
Too bad that interior screams $25,000.

Mostly cars in that performance range go higher than $200,000 but have spartan interiors looking at best as top level 5 Series. It is about the badge and curb appeal only.

Of course Chevy does not bode well with the millionaires.

[1487]

its nice that someone kept the seats in perspective. They are not good enough for TRACK use. Other reviews have you thinking these seats are equal to those found in the Camry or Avalon.

[chevypowa670]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I thought ZR1's peaked at $105,000?
Too bad that interior screams $25,000.

yea good thing the power and performance scream $ 200,000 +

[1487]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I thought ZR1's peaked at $105,000?
Too bad that interior screams $25,000.

Oh! Good one. So original too. NEVER would've thought of that.

I sat in the R8 and the Zr1 on the same day last year. The R8 was nicer inside but its interior is no nicer than that of a $32k A4 sedan- in fact it shares some components with lower model Audis. The ZR1's interior wasn't that bad at all. The worst part about it is the small 6.5" nav screen. Its not much of an upgrade over a lower priced vette, but the interior looks OK and is well laid out.

[Hunter]

It really is an amazing machine. Even Jeremy Clarkson liked it

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I thought ZR1's peaked at $105,000?
Too bad that interior screams $25,000.

When you can buy a car with a heads up display and a stiched leather interior with carbon fibre center console, for $25,000.00 please let me know, I will come with you, so that we can both drive home in brand new cars!!! Yeah!

[1487]

Originally Posted by neshapop

Mostly cars in that performance range go higher than $200,000 but have spartan interiors looking at best as top level 5 Series. It is about the badge and curb appeal only.

Of course Chevy does not bode well with the millionaires.

Yeah tell him to check out the luxurious interiors of the GT2/GT3. They are just like Lexus models inside with their exposed components and minimal features.

[1487]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

When you can buy a car with a heads up display and a stiched leather interior with carbon fibre center console, for $25,000.00 please let me know, I will come with you, so that we can both drive home in brand new cars!!! Yeah!

So according to him this interior is basically available in a base model Camaro- including the nav and stitched leather dash. Its funny that the vette was offering stitched dashboard before many luxury brands. Infiniti is now doing it on the new M and Lexus has it on the new GX470 I believe.