620hp Corvette ZR-1 Revealed!

[1ster]

Linkie.



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?" With no more formal authorization than that, Juechter's posse launched a skunkworks effort dubbed "Blue Devil"-a nod to the boss's Duke alma mater.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.

The engine is based on a modified LS3 6.2-liter block (the LS7's cylinder walls are too thin to withstand boost) and is expected to produce 100 horsepower/liter. Because tweaks are still being made to the cooling system, final testing won't happen for months. (SAE procedures require a 0-to-60 test be run in a car with instruments measuring intake air temperatures at 60 mph so that air can be supplied at precisely the same temperature during the dyno test.) Expect 620-plus horses and around 600 pound feet.

Because blowers add weight, extensive lightening efforts were concentrated in front. The fenders, hood inner and outer panels, roof panel, and C-pillar roof bar are carbon fiber, the tooling for which caps production at 2000 per year.

Major developments in the chassis department include 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.) We're assured the brakes work perfectly well when cold, and they don't squeal. Delphi reengineered its magneto-rheological shocks to withstand the extreme temperatures encountered in track duty, allowing the ZR1 to ride like a base coupe and outhandle the Z51 and Z06.

Heh. Bring on the GT-R vs. ZR-1 comparisons! :headbang:

[1ster]

A few more pics...

[atr_hugo]

Dam those brakes are HUGE!! Must expect some serious MPH ; -)

[Brandon26pdx]

That has to be the baddest Vette ever. The grey looks awsome.

[BForbes]

Good Lord. These are really the last days...

[~AJ]

Wow, no "but its American" or "not as refined as a BMW" comments!

Judge the car, not the source company or country.

Incredible automobile. Having seen the performance numbers (all measures, including fuel economy) of the Z06 over the past few years, imagine what this beast will do in talented hands.

Those light weight brake rotors will enable the suspension engineers to really dial this thing in.

Good job GM!

[imported_MPower]

Unbelievably tacky design adjustments but otherwise an impressive machine. Also, I wouldn't be too surprised if the engine dynos better than 620 horsepower.

[NJKSC27]

:eyebulge:

[~AJ]

Edmund's says it comes with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

Dam those brakes are HUGE!! Must expect some serious MPH ; -)

Just looking at the pic, I immediately thought that they look like the ones on the Ferrari Challenge cars. Then I scrolled up, read the article, and sure enough they are the same.

That thing is going to be a beast! Very nice to see Chevy investing in brand excitement.

$10 to the first guy who walks over to the chest puffing Z06 owner and saying "Huh, couldn't afford the ZR1?" :wink:

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by 1ster

Heh. Bring on the GT-R vs. ZR-1 comparisons! :headbang:

whats a gt-r ZR-1 all the way

[Templedogg]

The is awesome, I bet if they can get traction it will be a 3.0 to 60 car. The only negative is the way the front fender raps around the front tire, it is a weird shape to me. The first pic and the last pic show it the best.

[mikeo]

Wow! I owned a few corvettes back in the day, but the ZR1 is mind-blowing.

[mateo]

Good Lord if that thing comes up in your rear view mirror it's over.

Wow.

[Brandon26pdx]

Now THIS car will have huge markup and a waiting list a mile long. Did I read they're only making 2000 units?

[grant]

Originally Posted by AJ~

Edmund's says it comes with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Voided as soon as it hits the track...

[john970]

Originally Posted by 1ster

Heh. Bring on the GT-R vs. ZR-1 comparisons! :headbang:

GT-R?? How about CCX, Zonda, Enzo, Carrera GT. Imagine this thing with slicks on it.

2000 a year? I didn't think there were that many rich rednecks. Then again I think carbon fiber scares them away, might get some legit enthusiasts on the waiting list.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by john970

GT-R?? How about CCX, Zonda, Enzo, Carrera GT. Imagine this thing with slicks on it.

2000 a year? I didn't think there were that many rich rednecks. Then again I think carbon fiber scares them away, might get some legit enthusiasts on the waiting list.

LMAO

[mateo]

Originally Posted by grant

Voided as soon as it hits the track...

They'd have fun keeping track. Thats why people should not use their full name on the boards. To easy to connect the dots.

[Euro Durch Tod]

I really wanna see so comparisons to the GTR, especially the lighter v-spec

[mateo]

Originally Posted by Euro Durch Tod

I really wanna see so comparisons to the GTR, especially the lighter v-spec

I'd rather roll the GTR.

[amdmaxx]

Sick car, closest rival is Hennessey Viper (675hp), but I'd take a light vette any day over viper.