The Chevrolet Corvette has long been known as a superb performance value, offering speed and handling that would cost you twice as much in a European sports car.
With the ZR1, which will be officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January, General Motors is taking the Corvette into supercar territory with a supercharged V8 that, GM says, will produce at least 620 horsepower.
In contrast, the base model Corvette is powered by a 6.2-liter, 430 horsepower V8, while the higher-performance Corvette Z06 is powered by a 7.0-liter, 505 horsepower engine.
"Chevrolet's goal with the ZR1 is to show that 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 Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper in a GM announcement.
The ZR1's supercharged engine is designed to provide lots of power at low engine speeds but also to stay strong through the top of the engine's RPM limit.
The supercharger's intercooler, which cools air flowing in to allow for higher compression, is visible through a clear poly-carbonate panel in the hood.
It has a new six-speed transmission that has been strengthened to deal with the engine's high power output.
The 2009 Corvette ZR1 will have 19-inch alloy wheels in the front and 20-inch wheels in the back. It will run on high-performance Michelin tires created specifically for this car.
The brakes use carbon-ceramic rotors that weigh less than metal rotors and, according to GM, should not require replacement for the life of the car when used in normal driving.
The brake calipers are painted a blue color that is specific to the ZR1.
The ZR1's hood is made entirely of carbon fiber, a strong lightweight material. A clear polycarbonate window allows a view of a cover over the intercooler, which cools air coming in to the supercharger, allowing for higher compression and more power.
When the hood is open, the black weave of carbon fiber is visible on its underside. Carbon fiber is also used in the car's widened fenders, and it can be seen on the car's roof.
A body-colored [rear] spoiler that runs the width of the car is unique to the ZR1 version of the Corvette.
Changes were made to the ZR1's front and rear suspension to handle the extra power and speed of this model, which will have a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour.
The suspension was specially tuned for the car's "steamroller wide" front and rear tires. By automatically adjusting to driving demands, the car's Magnetic Selective Ride Control delivers a compliant ride, GM says, while still allowing for cornering forces of more than 1g.
There will be only two options available on the ZR1: chrome wheels and a "luxury package" that includes power-adjustable seats and Bluetooth connectivity.
The ZR1 logo will appear on the car's headrests, gauge cluster and on metal sill-plates under the doors.
The cars will be hand-built at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich.
Each ZR1 will have a unique vehicle identification number that includes a sequential build number so owners will know exactly where their car falls in the order of production.
The ZR1 will go into production in the summer of 2008. Price and fuel economy numbers are not yet available.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0712/gallery.corvette_zr1/index.html
The exterior looks pretty nice, but the interior, like most American cars, is not that exciting.
