Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: Revealed, Officially!

El Calor · 12-20-2007, 08:00 AM

This is it. The speculation, rumors and half-truths can now be set aside -- this is the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, officially revealed for all the world to see. Powered by a supercharged LS9 6.2L small-block engine, the ZR1 hasn't even received an official horsepower number from the engineers toiling away at the General. All Harlan Charles, project manager for the Corvette team was able to tell us last week was the new high-powered 'Vette engine is "capable of producing at least 100 horsepower per liter. That's at least 620 horsepower, and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque." Chevrolet wasn't even able to give us a time on the 0-60. Charles was only willing to say "it's in the low three seconds." The small-block engine under the hood is only able to hit those massive numbers due to the addition of the positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design plus an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for increased performance. That's the "go" end, but the "whoa" end is just as impressive. The ZR1 gets some simply huge carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors. They're so big and are required to be so powerful they're using the same 15-inch-diameter discs found on the front of a Ferrari 599. Except on the ZR1, they go on the 20" tires in the rear. In the front, they'll be getting even larger 15.5-inch-diameter rotors. Yup, they're simply breathtaking to see up-close. For the time being everyone else will have to check out the gallery below or the full press release after the jump. In case anyone's wondering -- the magazine and website all about the Trend in Motors are the sleazy bunch of d-bags who broke the embargo seven hours early. We just followed suit. We'll have more time to talk about that later -- now go and read the press release and look at the pretty pictures.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: Revealed, Officially!

**dwjZ06** · 12-20-2007, 08:56 AM

So Doug,

Are you getting one? What do you think? I like it. Outta my price range, but nice car. I think the side gills look to much like a Trans Am. It would have been cool to have a more retro style type gill. Don

ZO6 AL-X · 12-20-2007, 09:26 AM

Those brakes are ginormous... nice!!

Check out the skull on the intake box.

This thing is freakin' sweet!!!! ... in BLACK!

El Calor · 12-20-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwjZ06

So Doug,

Are you getting one? What do you think? I like it. Outta my price range, but nice car. I think the side gills look to much like a Trans Am. It would have been cool to have a more retro style type gill. Don

Haha not sure yet

But definitely black if I do

lilrobz06 · 12-20-2007, 08:11 PM

Pretty awesome parts list wise, although it doesn't look like the General put much into differentiating the ZR-1 from the other vettes. As a matter of opinion I think it looks very pedestrian and a little boring. Needs a little more attitude as far as i'm concerned. It too closely resembles the current z06. None the less a badass car.

No Doubt · 12-21-2007, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilrobz06

although it doesn't look like the General put much into differentiating the ZR-1 from the other vettes. As a matter of opinion I think it looks very pedestrian and a little boring.

You're saying the other Corvettes are "very pedestrian and a little boring".

However, if they made it look too much different than other Corvettes it wouldn't look like a Corvette. Then again, what is a Corvette supposed to look like? What makes a Corvette, a Corvette?

Could they have produced a mid-engined V-8, carbon fiber monocoque body supercar that looked like no other car in the world and still call it a Corvette? Sure, because after all "Corvette" is simply a name, or is it?

Corvettes have brand recognition. When people see a Corvette they usually know it's a Corvette and don't have to ask what it is. See where this is going? So how much different could it have been and still be a Corvette? What could they have done to differentiate it from the current Corvettes, yet still keep it recognizable as one?

It's for this very reason I've said all along it will almost certainly look like the current Corvette and, at the risk of quoting myself, will be in effect a "buffed up Z06".

I'm still not sure how my Z06 (or the new ZR1) can be "pedestrian and boring", yet at the same time be badass.

**Tom Fuscaldo** · 12-21-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No Doubt

I'm still not sure how my Z06 (or the new ZR1) can be "pedestrian and boring", yet at the same time be badass.

"A boring badass" Sounds like a future License plate abbreviation

Rauchy · 12-21-2007, 04:59 AM

That car doesn't need anything else to identify it. The driver of an SOB (some other brand) will know exactly what your driving and will know enough not to challenge you at the stop light drags unless he has something equally capable (not likely).

99% of the people on the road have no clue what a Z06 is. To the average person it is a Corvette, nothing more, nothing less.

**dwjZ06** · 12-21-2007, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Calor

Haha not sure yet

But definitely black if I do

Yep. That black metallic looking paint is awsome. If you get one dibs on a ride!

Jagrmaister · 12-21-2007, 07:29 AM

Wish they would've offered that Black this year on Z06 models. Wonder if they'll offer it next year or if it will be ZR1 specific?

vader03 · 12-21-2007, 08:25 PM

I think that it has a wicked look and I'm glad they brought back the ZR-1 name. It definitely is worthy of the ZR-1 name. A $100K maybe a little much for a Corvette, but you still cannot beat the bang for the buck even at that price. A Porsche will all that carbon fiber will cost well north of $100K.

The Highlander · 12-21-2007, 08:38 PM

my only "problem" is... where did it gain the weight??? water? i mean.. gaining 200lbs with all the carbon fiber and such???

**johniew398** · 12-21-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Highlander

my only "problem" is... where did it gain the weight??? water? i mean.. gaining 200lbs with all the carbon fiber and such???

No kidding. I am wondering that too. That is quite a gain using carbon fiber. The supercharger assembly surely doesn't weight that much.

Zippy · 12-21-2007, 10:16 PM

Part of the weight gain might be attributed to: larger oil reservoir including additional oil, supercharger, intercooler, beefier half shafts, larger wheels & tires, larger brake rotors, double disc clutch.

**RC45** · 12-21-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johniew398

No kidding. I am wondering that too. That is quite a gain using carbon fiber. The supercharger assembly surely doesn't weight that much.

Water cooled roots puts abotu 150 pounds in the nose.

When I had to make the choice "supercharged LS6/LS2 or NA LS7" I did not want the extra 150 pounds and so went with NA LS7. The big wheels and tyres of the ZR1 add more than the CF bits save - sadly - as they didnt spend the money to lighten some other bits.

This C6 ZR1 is like the Lambo Murci LP640 - big, heavy and super fast.

The C6 Z06 is now the Gallardo Superleggy of the Corvette familiy - lean, svelt and super quick.

The one is the ultimate autobahn and sweeping B-road Vette, the other the ultimate track day Vette.

The well heeled on this site will get one of each I am sure

Looking at the dyno comparison of LS3 vs LS7 vs LS9 this LS9 makes 380ftlb of torque from1800rpm and at the all important "from a roll at 60mph" 3500rpm range already has 590ftlb of torque on demand.

By comparison the LS3 has a measly 260ftlb and the LS7 350ftlb at 1200rpm - at 3500 they have to make do with a mere 400ftlb and 430ftlb repsectively.