A Corvette Weekend For Dad

This past weekend I brought home a test car appropriate for Father’s Day: a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette coupe that I knew my Vette-fanatic dad — who has owned the same 1964 Corvette roadster since 1976 — would flip out over. 

Prior to my bringing it home, he instantly picked out the car when I quizzed him over the phone, “Guess what car I’m bringing home. I’ll give you a hint: It’s fitting for the Father’s Day weekend.”

“A Vette?” he asked, followed by an excited, “a Z06?!?!” Sorry, Dad, no Z06 this time, just the base 436-hp coupe.

The $100,000 Corvette

No, Jay Leno did not modify this Corvette to get the price over $100,000. This is a factory-made — though in small numbers; only 2,000 are expected to be built — 2009 Corvette ZR-1 that was introduced at the 2008 Detroit auto show. It packs a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine with a lot of horsepower — 628 horses, to be exact. And it will cost you $103,300.

Everything about the ZR-1 has been changed to handle that power, from the six-speed manual transmission to carbon-ceramic brakes. Options include chrome wheels ($2,000) and an interior package that adds sport seats, side airbags, Bose audio and a navigation system ($10,000). Add on the gas-guzzler tax of $1,700 and the destination charge, and you’re looking at a $117,000 Corvette.

Now, I’ve tested the little brother to the ZR-1, the Z06, with its 505 hp. You could barely find a road that could contain that car. These extra horses will really need to find a track to be enjoyed even a tiny bit, and we doubt anyone will get near the 205 mph it can reach, even at an airstrip. If Chevy somehow made the ZR-1 half as livable as the Z06, though, then it could be an alluring car for speed freaks and weekend track regulars.

I just don’t think people shopping for $100,000 near-exotics would choose the ZR-1 over an Audi R8 or Porsche 911 Turbo.

Video: 2009 Corvette ZR1

Can’t stand waiting until summer to drive one of the limited-edition Corvette ZR1s with 620 hp? No, neither can we. That’s why we took some footage provided from the kind folks at GM and put it on YouTube for all to enjoy.

2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Chevrolet  Corvette ZR1 info and photo gallery

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.

First Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette

We continue our look at the 2008 GM lineup with the latest Corvette.

More than anything else on the 2008 Corvette, I enjoyed the new two-mode exhaust that opens up during heavy throttle to let the 430-hp V-8 exhale with a gnarly, loud, addictive sound. The 'Vette is easy to drive fast on the track, but still has a few interior quirks that put me off — like those goofy buttons that release the doors instead of actual door handles. — Joe Bruzek, Ask.cars.com

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2008 Chevy Corvette Gets More Power

The Corvette is still the ultimate American sports car. When the current generation debuted, nearly everyone was completely satisfied with its 400 hp, and those few who wanted more were satiated with a high-performance Z06 that had 505 hp. For 2008, the Corvette coupe and convertible get a power boost from a new V-8 engine. Power is now rated at 430 hp, and with an optional exhaust system borrowed from the Z06, buyers can get 436 total hp.

The company also says there are steering and suspension upgrades that produce an even better driving feel than in the 2007. They also say there are significant interior and exterior “enhancements,” but besides new wheels we can’t really see much difference in the photos you can find in the gallery below. The car goes on sale later this year, and we expect prices to stay close to the 2007’s $44,250 for the coupe and $52,590 for the convertible.

New 2008 Chevy Corvette Adds More Power

How does the best bang for the buck sports car on the market get better? More bang of course. The new 2008 Corvette retains the same look from last year but under the hood is a new 6.2-liter V-8 engine called the LS3. It produces 430 hp, 424 pounds-feet of torque and can even pump out 436 hp with an optional exhaust system. The company also says they’ve improved the steering, manual transmission feel, and the optional paddle shifting automatic transmission. Supposedly, the paddle-shifters and new engine will get you to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, the fastest for a base Corvette ever.

The monstrous Corvette Z06 with its 505 hp engine returns for 2008 and remains unchanged from 2007, but there are rumors that an even more powerful Corvette is in development, perhaps as a 2009. 

Chevy did take on critics who disapproved of the Corvette’s seemingly basic interior and upgraded a few elements. We provide side by side shots of the 2007 and 2008 and you can tell us if you see the difference. Things you might not see are a new keyless access system, new sill plates, an MP3 jack and standard OnStar and XM satellite radio. Prices and a sale date have not been announced yet. For more photos read below.

2007 Chicago Auto Show: Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car

The Chevrolet Corvette will once again pace the Indianapolis 500 this year and, as usual, a limited number — 500 — of production versions will go on sale this spring. Available only as a convertible, the special edition comes in only one color, Atomic Orange, and comes with a number of dress-up items to grab the attention of otherwise colorblind passersby:

• Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges
• Z06 rear spoiler
• New aluminum “split-spoke” wheels in Sterling Silver
• Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos
• Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange
• Atomic Orange engine covers

Otherwise, the pace car is a basic 2007 Corvette six-speed manual with the Z51 performance package, navigation system and Bose stereo. The price?  It’s $66,995, including destination. A six-speed automatic with shift paddles is available and will cost $68,245, including destination fee. More photos below.