Corvette ZR1 heading to US

Chevrolet, the largest automobile brand owned by General Motors (GM), is about to bring its 2009 Corvette ZR1 to the US market in the third quarter of 2008. The company calls the car “an American supercar that not only establishes new benchmarks for production-based power and performance, but challenges global competitors.”

According to Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper, “The ZR1 redefines what an American supercar can deliver with performance that betters exotics costing two, three or four times as much – and can still be driven as a daily commuter.”

Peper said, “Preliminary testing shows the ZR1 beats the previous Corvette Z06 in every performance category … from acceleration and braking to cornering grip and top speed … 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 with a top speed of more than 200 mph,” he added.

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is powered with a 6.2 L, supercharged V8 engine that breathes through a positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design developed by forced-induction specialist Eaton especially for the engine and a central, horizontal intercooler.

Due to the strengthened, lightweight valvegear, the new ZR1 revs to a dizzy 6600 rpm. The vehicle even kicks out an estimated 462 kW and 823 Nm.

The new Corvette ZR1 has the sporty looks inside and out. It has a raised, all-carbon-fibre bonnet with a clear, polycarbonate window showing the top of the intercooler with “LS9 SUPERCHARGED” embossed on either side and the Corvette crossed flags on the engine cover. The exposed carbon-fibre comes with a clear coat – to protect it from UV light.

Inside, there is a special instrument cluster with a boost gauge, a ZR1 logo on the rev-counter and a speedometer that reads to 220 mph.

Optional features are the chrome wheels and a “luxury trim” package that includes power-adjustable, leather-trimmed sport seats in a choice of four colours and embroidered with ZR1 logos, satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

At present, the company has no plans to build a right-hand drive model for this new Corvette ZR1. That’s a pretty sad part; some wouldn’t be able to see such sporty Corvette from behind your cars through the Acura CL mirror, in some of the major countries around the world.

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