2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Corvette ZR1

• Competes with: Porsche 911 GT2, Audi R8
• Looks like: Mattel added some flair to a Corvette
• Drivetrain: 620-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Sometime in 2008

Yep, this is the super-Corvette you might’ve been reading about for, oh … the last three years. Once nicknamed the Blue Demon Devil, the ZR1 is now official, in the flesh and bare for all to see. Weighing in at a scant 3,350 pounds, the ZR1 is based on the aluminum chassis of the Corvette Z06 we all know and love.

It adds things like a silly supercharged 6.2-liter engine capable of a 200 mph top speed, carbon ceramic rotors and standard magnetic ride control, plus carbon fiber roof, front fenders, rocker moldings and more. This is no toy. This is a super car. A supercar that hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.

We’re a bit unimpressed with the look, though. It isn’t as subtle as the Z06, but owners might not care. There will be plenty of ZR1 badging on this sucker, and even the VIN will be unique to each model made. Chevy didn’t say how many that will be, but threw around the number 150 in the description of the VIN setup. Hmmm…

We can’t hazard a guess at the price, but Chevy says it will “trump exotics that cost two, three or four times as much.” The Z06 costs $70,175. The ZR1 would be a deal under $100,000. That’ll be what we’re waiting to hear when the car debuts in person at the Detroit auto show in a few weeks.   

Specs and photos below.

Comments

Isn't that sexy? C'mon, even the import-humpers on here must admit that this is one sleek car. Better than the GT-R in my opinion.

From an "Import Humper"... yes... it's a sexy car. One of a very, very few that are sexy.

Hahah... "blue demon"???

It was never nicknamed that. You're looking for "blue devil"

Thanks Jim. You're right. That's what happens when we get things sprung on us and see Blue Demon highlights on the nightly news here in Chicago.

I wonder what cops will think should they ever get in a high speed chase with one of these things, which given how people drive is bound to happen sooner or later. Looks like its time to upgrade from those Crown Vics.

No matter how fast you drive, you can't outrun the radio.

Commodore,

A red Corvette would be more "princely."

'Little Red Corvette.' Now you're cookin.'

Has Prince sold more records than the Commodores? I think so!

T-Roy - I am glad that you are fair enough to admit this is a sexy car. But when you say "one of few" are you referring to the domestics or cars in general?

Because yes, there are very few sexy imports as most look like appliances.

As for the domestics, there are quite a few. The Corvette, upcoming Camaro, and new CTS are just three examples.

I wish to see this thing compares to the Nissan GT-R on the track.

The Americans know how to make great cars, they're just not commited to it, and dont want to, god knows why, for other reasons, economy and so on. Id tell you, you can never buy a german or japanese car for the money that you can buy this corvette

J, a comparison b/n this and the GT-R is kinda "not in the same class." My prediction is that the GT-R is probably faster in 0-60 the the ZR-1 because of the auto mode 4WD, but probably ZR1 a better 1/4 mile time. In a test track, however, the GT-R will probably win out if the track has a lot of curves (remember the S2000? Beating the crap of many great cars!). Straight track - ZR1. No doubt with the hp difference.

What's so cool 'bou the GT-R 4WD is that it's only 4WD when it needs to; otherwise it's 2WD/RWD. That's why the GT-R is so awesome and beat the crap out of many super cars in a test track with many curves.

As for Commodore's comment, I beg to differ. The Corvette looks...well, ok. But over the years, it really has loss its identity and become more of a Ferrari shape type of super car. What so special 'bou the GT-R is that - it sets its own trend. If you look at a GT-R, u know it's a GT-R, or you'll ask, "what's that car?" There's no other car that looks like the GT-R, whether it's the R32, R33, R34 or this R36. With the Corvette in the 21st C, without the Corvette badge, and park it beside the Italians - you may have a more diffcult time to tell them apart.

Amuro,

That's exactly what I want to point out.
100 grand for a car that doesn't turn? All while the GT-R is going to be much less?

Corvette is becoming more and more serious every year. Porsche lost its performance edge over it a few years ago and it is going to be hard to get it back. As I stated previously even regular 2008 Corvette looks much better inside and gives incredible performance. I recently tested Lotus and Cayman S back to back and would not buy Porsche now (and it was only elise, Exige S is the way to go!). Two years ago I would stop there but 2008 regular Corvette is a must now.

Concerning ZR-1, it has Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, Brembo carbon fiber brakes (developed for ferrari 599) and a few other things that you can find only in a very expensive cars. And they give all that for ~ $100,000!

I am glad to see that Chevy is finally on the right track (according to me) concerning Corvette. Just reading about the car and supercharger I was impressed. Finally some very nice engineering and R&D work coming from GM after so many years.

For the money this car is going to be a big hit. On the top of everything it is going to be under 3,400 pounds (just look at GTR/911 Turbo/ Ferrari 599 they all top 3,600 pounds)

I would like to see GTR, 911Turbo, Ferrari 599 and ZR-1 test results on Nurburgring race track. If not there VIR or Laguna Seca would do it too.

First off, a hundred grand for a car that doesn't turn? Are you a moron? Over 1g of predicted lateral force and you say this car won't be able to turn? There are definitely no guarantees the GT-R will better that. Also, look at the Z06. Lap times done by Top Gear have the Z06 beating cars like the Ferrari F430 and Lamborgini Murcielago. The Z06 costs about as much as the GT-R is going to. Do that comparison.

The ZR1 weighs less than the GTR, has approximately 200 more horsepower, and is a flat out monster. I honestly can't wait to see what kind of numbers it will post on the track.

S, no one is a moron here, I hope. But when you watch Top Gear - which I've watched a few episodes - who test drove for the comparison? Mind you, all those "testers", a.k.a. hosts of the show, in T.G. aren't professional race driver, so it's not really a comparison per se (as they may not be able to unlock the potential of Ferrari or Lamborgini).

More important, what you said actually beat the crap out of your own statement. Z06 has lower hp and torque rating than the Italians, yet it's faster in lap times (assuming that it's one with lots of curves - typical for European ones). The more powerful a vehicle, the harder it's able to go fast when cornering. That's the reason why the GT-R has been so awesome in race track with auto mode 4WD - not because of the straight away acceleration, but the overal pkg. performance. Thus, it's very possible for the GT-R to outperform a ZR1 in a test track (GT-R's # has already been shown better the the Z06, and those # were recorded through "professional" race drivers).

On a reputable car site whose name I am not going to announce here just to respect both pages, has already done a 0-60 test on the GT-R, which recorded 3.3sec and according to them is the fastest car to hit 60 they've ever tested.

If you really want to know what site it is, think a male name that starts with E.

Any word on when is the 'vette going to get a complete redesign? All interim styling updates aside, this is still the same basic design theme that's been around since 1984. (And the car that model replaces had been around since the late 60s!).

C'mon Chevy, give us something radically new! A total departure from the car we've been looking at for almost 25 years.

Commodore,

Cars in general. Everything pretty much looks the same now-a-days. Very few actually stand out. The Vette is one of the few.

T-Roy,

But I think the newest Vette looks exactly the same like the last gen.

J,

I agree. GM has a good thing going with the Vette's looks. I don't think it would be wise to tinker with it right now.

It is the most cool car I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Troy in Ft Walton Beach,
I guess you have misunderstood me.

I think the Vette looks exactly like the old one, whice does not mean it looks good.

It looks like a flat wide car, and just not my cup of tea.

The comment about the design dating back to 1984 is dead on. How does a small car maker like Ferrari turn out world class designs year after year and GM can not. The folks at GM may want to contact Pininfarina for some help. For a front engine car, the now retired 550/575 Ferrari Maranello is what Corvette could look like if they took some styling cues. The Corvette has actually looked the same actually 1968. The last exotic Vette was the '63 thru '67 series. The rear of the car has never matched the front. The tail got chopped off long ago and it needs to come back. Look at what keeping the same styling for the 911 has done for 50 years, not much.

Yah looks sleek and sexy.
Too bad it's butt's to high in my opinion.

I think this is an amazing car im a Ferrari kinda guy but the way this car is setup and looks i could look at it twice. they said the brakes came off the Enzo and the Enzo is like a street legal formula 1 car.you are getting all this power looks and parts off a insane cars for 100,000

how long in the car it self and all that measurements.

With a Nuremberg lap time of 7:26 people are still comparing it to the GTR? Sad.

see when you run from the cops you never stay on the same road you so having a fast car does make it possible to run from the cops but you also have to be able to drive but all you have to do is make a few turns to get out of sight then make a few more and your home free not very hard and by the time the cop radios that hes turned his lights on your out of sight anyone that tries to outrun the cops at top speed is just a dumbass yes this car is faster than the cops car but not their helicopter