ZR1 RetuRns In Mid-2008!General Motors has confirmed that the Corvette ZR1 will return to claim its King Of The Hill title in summer 2008 as a 2009 model! Powered by a supercharged 6.2L V-8 dubbed LS9, the ZR1 will produce at least 620 hp, with at least 595 lb-ft of torque. A Gen VI Eaton blower displacing 2.3 liters and pushing 10.5 pounds of boost is partially to thank for those ridiculous power levels. The 620 ponies would mean 115 MORE horsepower than a Z06!
The ZR1 will be based on the Z06's chassis. Weight-saving measures come in the form of carbon fiber, including the hood panels, roof panel, fenders, and C-pillar roof bar-though it will still be a couple hundred pounds heavier than a Z06. Quicker acceleration is a no-brainer. However, huge carbon-ceramic brakes, stylish 19x10 front/20x12 rear rims, and 285 front and positively massive 335mm rear rubber-along with recalibrated shocks-should allow the ZR1 to easily out-brake and out-handle the Z06 as well.
A new Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual trans sporting a twindisc clutch system and a 2.29 first gear ratio will sit behind that monster mill. Sixth gear is 26 percent shorter, so the 200-plus mph top speed will be achieved in this gear. Additional drivetrain mods will be incorporated to hopefully keep it intact.
For a low-volume vehicle with an estimated price of a hundred large, GM is making sure to throw in a few more custom touches: the polycarbonate "window" in the ZR1's bulging hood shows off the massive intercooler/supercharger setup, and fenders, front spoiler, rocker extensions, roof panel, and rear spoiler all set the ZR1 apart. Look for custom ZR1 embroidery and, of course, a sweet boost gauge with 220-mph speedo in the cluster!
How fast will this thing be? With any kind of traction it should improve on the Z06's sub-4-second 0-60 time, and go 10s in the quarter with 130-plus trap speeds. And one last thing: due to a change in GM's naming conventions, the new spelling of ZR1 is not hyphenated like the 1990-1995 ZR-1.
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