|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
6.2
liter V8 |
Weight |
3,350 lbs |
|
Aspiration |
supercharger |
Torque |
604
lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
|
HP |
638
hp @ 6500 rpm |
HP/Weight |
5.3
lbs per hp |
|
HP/Liter |
102.9
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from General Motors
Press Release) Chevrolet officially announced the 2009
Corvette ZR1 – an American supercar that brings the technology and
engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics
together in a distinctive design.
“Chevrolet’s goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American
supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two,
three or four times as much – and does so with exceptional
driveability,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.
The ZR1’s basic stats:
-
All-new LS9
supercharged 6.2L V-8 targeted at producing at least 100
horsepower per liter, or 620 horsepower (462 kW), and
approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque (823 Nm)
-
Six-speed,
close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmission
-
New, high-capacity
dual-disc clutch
-
Higher-capacity and
specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube
-
Specific suspension
tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip
-
Twenty-spoke 19-inch
front and 20-inch rear wheels
-
Michelin Pilot Sport
2 tires – P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear –
developed specifically for the ZR1
-
Standard
carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors – 15.5-inch-diameter
(394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear
-
Larger brake
calipers with substantially increased pad area
-
Standard Magnetic
Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension
-
Wider, carbon-fiber
front fenders with ZR1-specific dual vents
-
Carbon-fiber hood
with a raised, polycarbonate window – offering a view of the
intercooler below it
-
Carbon-fiber roof
panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with
clear-coated, exposed carbon-fiber weave
-
ZR1-specific
full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections
-
Specific gauge
cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display)
and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout
-
Only two options:
chrome wheels and a “luxury” package
-
Curb weight of
approximately 3,350 pounds (1,519 kg)
The specialized
components of the new ZR1 work harmoniously to deliver the most
powerful and fastest automobile ever produced by General Motors.
Performance estimates will be announced closer to vehicle’s summer
2008 launch.
“Preliminary testing shows the ZR1 builds on the highly respected
Corvette Z06 in every performance category, from acceleration and
braking, to cornering grip and top speed,” said Peper. “It all boils
down to the power-to-weight ratio and the ZR1’s is exceptional –
better than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599 and even the
Lamborghini LP640. In fact, the ZR1 is expected to be the first
production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mph.”
Supercharged LS9 engine
The new LS9 6.2L
small-block engine is the power plant the supports the ZR1’s
performance capability. The enabler of the LS9’s performance and
refinement is a large, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger
with a new, four-lobe rotor design. It is augmented with an
integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature
for maximum performance.
A sixth-generation supercharger developed by Eaton helps the LS9
make big power and torque at lower rpm and carries it in a wide arc
to 6,600 rpm, as it pushes enough air to help the engine maintain
power through the upper levels of the rpm band – the area where
supercharged performance tends to diminish. Heavy-duty and
lightweight reciprocating components enable the engine’s confident
high-rpm performance.
The LS9 is hand-assembled at GM’s Performance Build Center, in
Wixom, Mich., and incorporates specialty processes typically seen in
racing engines to produce a highly refined and precise product. For
example, cast iron cylinder liners are inserted in the aluminum
block and are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed.
The deck plate simulates the pressure and minute dimensional
variances applied to the block when the cylinder heads are
installed, ensuring a higher degree of accuracy that promotes
maximum cylinder head sealing, piston ring fit and overall engine
performance.
Transmission and axle
The LS9 engine is backed
by a new, stronger six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc
clutch that provide exceptional clamping power, while maintaining an
easy clutch effort. ZR1-specific gearing in the transmission
provides a steep first-gear ratio that helps launch the car, and top
speed is achieved in sixth gear – a change from the fifth-gear
top-speed run-outs in the manual-transmission Corvette and Corvette
Z06.
As the term implies, the twin-disc clutch system employs a pair of
discs, which spreads out the engine’s torque load over a wider area.
This enables tremendous clamping power when the clutch is engaged,
while also helping to dissipate heat better and extend the life of
the clutch.
The twin-disc clutch system also contributes to the ZR1’s
exceptional driving quality, with smooth and easy shifting. The
twin-disc system’s design enables a 25-percent reduction in inertia,
thanks to smaller, 260-mm plates, corresponding to a pedal effort
that is similar to the Corvette Z06’s 290-mm single-disc system.
The rear axle also is stronger in the ZR1 and features asymmetrical
axle-shaft diameters that were developed after careful testing to
provide optimal torque management. The axles are also mounted on a
more horizontal plane that correlates with the wider width of the
rear wheels and tires.
Ride and handling
The ZR1 is built on the
same aluminum-intensive chassis as the Corvette Z06 and features
similar independent SLA front and rear suspensions, with aluminum
upper and lower control arms. Where the ZR1 differs is the
suspension tuning, which was optimized for the car’s
steamroller-wide front and rear tires.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard and tuned specifically
for the ZR1. The system’s ability to deliver a compliant ride with
nearly instantaneous damping adjustments enabled engineers to
develop a surprisingly supple ride quality in a supercar that still
delivers cornering grip of more than 1g.
From a high-performance perspective, Magnetic Selective Ride Control
helps the rear axle remain planted during launch for smooth,
hop-free acceleration. It also helps suppress axle movement when
cornering on broken or uneven pavement.
Brakes, wheels and tires
Commensurate with the
ZR1’s engine output is the braking system, which is headlined by
carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Found on only a few exotics and more
expensive supercars, carbon-ceramic brake rotors are made of a
carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic silicon carbide material . Their
advantage comes in low mass and resistance to wear and heat. In
fact, the rotors should never show any corrosion or require
replacement for the life of the vehicle, when used in normal
driving.
The vented and cross-drilled rotors on the ZR1 measure 15.5 inches
(394 mm) in diameter in the front and 15 inches (380 mm) in diameter
in the rear – making them among the largest carbon-ceramic rotors
available on any production vehicle.
Clamping down on the high-tech rotors are six-piston front calipers
and four-piston rear calipers, each painted a ZR1-exclusive blue.
The front pads are equivalent in size to the largest on any
production car with a single-pad design – double that of the
Corvette Z06’s 70-sq.-cm. front pads.
The brakes are visible through the ZR1’s exclusive wheels: 20-spoke
alloy rims that measure 19 inches in diameter in the front and 20
inches in the rear. They come standard with a bright, Sterling
Silver paint finish and chrome versions are optional. The wheels are
wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires developed specifically for
the ZR1, measuring P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear.
Exclusive exterior
The ZR1 is instantly
recognizable, with perhaps the most identifiable feature a raised,
all-carbon-fiber hood that incorporates a clear, polycarbonate
window. The window provides a view of the top of the engine’s
intercooler, with the legend “LS9 SUPERCHARGED” embossed on the left
and right sides, and an engine cover with the Corvette crossed flags
logo debossed at the front.
The underside of the hood has an exposed carbon-fiber-weave. Exposed
carbon-fiber is used on the roof, roof bow, rocker molding and front
splitter. These exterior components are protected by a specially
developed glossy, UV-resistant clear coat that resists yellowing and
wear.
Widened, carbon-fiber front fenders with specific, dual lower vents,
and a full-width, body-color rear spoiler incorporating the center
high-mounted stop lamp, are also unique to the ZR1. All of the
exterior features of the car were developed to enhance high-speed
stability and driver control.
Interior details
The ZR1’s interior
builds on the brand’s dual-cockpit heritage, with high-quality
materials, craftsmanship and functionality that support the
premium-quality experience promised by the car’s performance. The
ZR1’s cabin differs from the Corvette and Corvette Z06 with the
following:
-
ZR1-logo sill plates
-
ZR1-logo headrest
embroidery
-
Specific gauge
cluster with “ZR1” logo on the tachometer and a 220-mph (370
km/h) readout on the speedometer
-
Boost gauge added to
the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display
The “base” ZR1 (RPO 1LZ)
comes with accoutrements based on the Z06, including lightweight
seats and lightweight content. The uplevel interior package includes
unique, power-adjustable and leather-trimmed sport seats
(embroidered with the ZR1 logo); custom, leather-wrapped interior
available in four colors; navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity
and more.
By the numbers
In addition to the
exterior cues and powertrain, ZR1 models will be distinguished from
other Corvette models by their VIN. Each will carry a unique,
identifying VIN digit, as well as a sequential build number. This
makes it easy to determine the build number of a specific car –
information treasured by enthusiasts and collectors. For example, a
ZR1 with a VIN ending in “0150” would indicate it is the 150 th ZR1
built for the model year.
