2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Wednesday December 19, 2007
Chevrolet have released preliminary data for the eagerly-awaited Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. It was thought it was to be called the "Blue Devil", and generated intense interest and was the subject of numerous rumours, especially when spotted in disguise tacklingwhilst undergoing development around the famous Nurburgring circuit.
The ZR1 features a new all-aluminium GM small block V8 engine, designated LS9, mated to a supercharger. Power is expected to be 620 bhp (462 kW) and torque 823 Nm (607 lbft). This is transmitted to the rear wheels via a new six-speed manual gearbox and twin-plate clutch. The use of two smaller clutch plates instead of one larger one provides better heat dissipation and less inertia, allowing for smoother gearchanges. The kerb weight is given as 1519 kg, which would make the ZR1 extremely rapid indeed, although Chevrolet have not made any definite performance claims for it yet, other than saying it will be the first production Corvette to reach 200 mph (321 km/h).
Suspension elements have been upgraded from those found in the Corvette Z06, endowing the ZR1 with a claimed cornering ability of over 1g. Brakes too have been improved, with enormous cross-drilled vented disks of 394 mm and 380 mm front and rear respectively. They are made of carbon-ceramic composites and provide improved heat resistance and hugely improved braking ability. The ZR1 also comes shod with 285/30 ZR 19 tyres on the 19 inch front wheels, and 335/25 ZR 20 tyres on the 20 inch wheels at the rear.
Visually, the ZR1 features some changes over the Z06 and standard Corvettes. A transparent section on the bonnet allows the intercooler to be seen, and the front has been widened. Two air ducts behind the front wheelarches replace the larger single duct on the standard Corvette models. Production is slated to begin in 2008, with the official launch later that same year, and it is labelled a 2009 model.
The ZR1 features a new all-aluminium GM small block V8 engine, designated LS9, mated to a supercharger. Power is expected to be 620 bhp (462 kW) and torque 823 Nm (607 lbft). This is transmitted to the rear wheels via a new six-speed manual gearbox and twin-plate clutch. The use of two smaller clutch plates instead of one larger one provides better heat dissipation and less inertia, allowing for smoother gearchanges. The kerb weight is given as 1519 kg, which would make the ZR1 extremely rapid indeed, although Chevrolet have not made any definite performance claims for it yet, other than saying it will be the first production Corvette to reach 200 mph (321 km/h).
Suspension elements have been upgraded from those found in the Corvette Z06, endowing the ZR1 with a claimed cornering ability of over 1g. Brakes too have been improved, with enormous cross-drilled vented disks of 394 mm and 380 mm front and rear respectively. They are made of carbon-ceramic composites and provide improved heat resistance and hugely improved braking ability. The ZR1 also comes shod with 285/30 ZR 19 tyres on the 19 inch front wheels, and 335/25 ZR 20 tyres on the 20 inch wheels at the rear.
Visually, the ZR1 features some changes over the Z06 and standard Corvettes. A transparent section on the bonnet allows the intercooler to be seen, and the front has been widened. Two air ducts behind the front wheelarches replace the larger single duct on the standard Corvette models. Production is slated to begin in 2008, with the official launch later that same year, and it is labelled a 2009 model.
