New Corvette Sets Sail for World Domination
The Corvette Z06 can outrun a 911 Turbo and hang tight with the rest of the supercar frat pack. To maintain the model's mechanical momentum, General Motors will unveil the new Corvette ZR1 at January's North American International Auto Show. The ZR1 abandons natural aspiration for global aspirations; The General says the ZR1's development team benchmarked a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. To out-muscle Maranello's madmen, Chevy's replaced the Z06' LS7 engine with a supercharged 6.2-liter small block fed by an open air-to-water intercooler. GM rates the new LS9 mill at 650hp. Other improvements: a carbon fiber roof, wider tires and aero bodywork to suck the 'Vette to the tarmac. Though the Chevrolet Corvette will never, ever match the Ferrari's cachet, and what's with that radio head unit, the 'Vette's party piece has always been maximum bang-for-the-buck. The new model clocks-in at around $100k according to our friends at The Detroit Free Press.
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Of course we should wait until a production version hits the magazines and we get some 1/4 mile info...but I expect the GT-R will lose momentum at 1/2 track and not pull the same trap speed of the Z06. Hard to say with vaporware. I wouldn't be too surprised if the weight penalty of the ZR1 makes itself known on the 'ring. The ZR1 just makes me wish the Z06 had Magnaride, carbon fiber roof and ceramic brakes. Its the better track car: lighter and is an "all motor" powerband. And for crying out loud, ditch the run-flats, Corvette! All that road noise, unsprung weight and mediocre grip for no good reason!
Wow, GM way to go! But I just don't get it! What is the point of continously making the one good product you have (the one you have no problem selling)better while the rest of your lineup rots on the vine? OK, GM you have proven to the world that you can make a very good Corvette. It is time to move on the other things. The base Vette and the Z06 can carry the Vette torch for the near future but the addtion of the ZR1 make you guys look like you are oblivious to the REAL world. This ZR1 rate up there with the stupidity factor of those AMG 65s. Nothing but a silly exercise in worthless overkill. Honesty, considering that the Z06 is a handful in a professional drivers hands who the hell can TRULY handle this ride? 600+ hp in a 3400lb RWD car with a manual transmission and a clutch!!!!! Think about like this, imagine a 1700lb car with over 300hp. This thing is a racecar, which equals death trap to anyone but a true professional racer.