2009 Corvette ZR-1: New Image Gallery

This is GM's world beater.

Awesome (promised) performance, but if this is actually it, they really need to differentiate it more from its lesser siblings, or this thing's going to tank!

You may have a point, but i doubt that it will stall sales. Corvette has a very loyal following, and enthusiasts will know exactly what they are looking at, even with the most minor visual changes. Sort of the way a real Porsche fan can instantly look at a 911 and be able to tell if it is a C2, C4, GT3, GT2, etc.
The Corvette faithful are numerous enough to make this car a sales success, i think.

We shall see, but if this does indeed cost near 100k, I think GM will have a serious problem if it looks less aggressive than a base Corvette with a subtle body kit and custom wheels... All at half the price.

Are the looks really the point??? I mean it will still look like a Corvette, so isn't that good enough???

Not at this price point...

A vehicle at near 100k should separate itself both by its performance and appearance, especially if you're referring to an American vehicle (unfortunately).

It's a world beater only if it can run with the 10.7sec Nissan GT-R which runs 0-100KM in 3.5sec and around the ring in 7:35.

And don't forget that Dodge increased the Viper's horsepower to 600hp and Ford also got the Mustang GT500 KR.

It'll hang with the RS4, 350Z, M3, AMG C63, and IS-F. But won't be enough to play with the big boys such as the Viper, GT-R, RS8, F430 Scudera, and 997 GT2.

You are a special type of Moron. The Z06 is already faster than the F430. The RS4, M3, C63, and IS-F aren't even in the same league.

"It'll hang with the RS4, 350Z, M3, AMG C63, and IS-F"

The fat remains that you compared a POS 350z to the above cars. That says alot about your sheer stupidy.

"You are a special type of Moron. The Z06 is already faster than the F430. The RS4, M3, C63, and IS-F aren't even in the same league."

You are the bigger moron here. I am not even talking about the regular F430, I compared to the F430 Scuderia. The same way we're not talking about a regular C6, it's the Z06 and now ZR-1.

So the question is:
C6 < F430 < Z06 < Scuderia = or > ZR-1?

The ZR-1 will be less than half of the price of the Ferrari!!! So how can you bash them if it's not quite as fast?

But anyway, it WILL be faster... the Z06 is already quicker than the Scudiera.

"But anyway, it WILL be faster... the Z06 is already quicker than the Scudiera."

That's not possible and just shows how ignorant your are and you know why? Simple, because the Scudiera is lighter and has more horsepower than the Z06. The ZR-1 might be as fast as the Scudiera if it doesn't weight as much as a PIG.

The ZR-1 might have a bit more horsepower, but that's not enough to be faster since the Scudiera is a mid-engine vehicle and has a lighting quick F1 gearbox to make up plenty of time on the track. The car has better suspension, handling, and balance in weight distribution than the ZR-1. The ZR-1 can match the Scudiera and 997 GT2 at it's best effort, but won't be able to exceed those like what the Nissan GT-R already did.

some comments are just idiotic...

OK, Here are the specs for the ZR1 and the Scuderia. Clearly the Scuderia would get spanked like an african porch monkey. But for those that done understand. Here it is.

2009 CORVETTE ZR1 PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Model:
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Body styles / driveline:
2-door hatchback coupe with fixed roof; rear-wheel drive

Construction:
composite and carbon-fiber body panels, hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components
Engine
6.2L SUPERCHARGED V-8 (LS9)
Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92
Block material:
cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:
cast aluminum
Valvetrain:
overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery:
SFI (sequential fuel injection)
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Horsepower / kW: 638 / 475
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 604 / 835
Recommended fuel:
premium required
EPA estimated fuel economy:
TBD
Transmission
close-ratio six-speed manual
Chassis / Suspension
Front:
short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber
Rear:
short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber
Traction control:
electronic traction control; active handling (Magnetic Selective Ride Control)
Brakes
Type:
front and rear power-assisted carbon-ceramic disc with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, cross-drilled rotors; ABS std.
Rotor diameter (in / mm):
front: 15.5 / 394
rear: 15 / 380
Wheels & Tires
Wheel size:
front: 19-inch x 10-inch
rear: 20-inch x 12-inch
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 2
front: P285/30ZR19
rear: P335/25ZR20
Dimensions
Wheelbase (in / mm): 105.7 / 2685
Overall length (in / mm): 176.2 / 4476
Overall width (in / mm): 75.9 / 1928
Overall height (in / mm): 49 / 1244
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3350 / 1519 (est.)
Capacities
Fuel tank (gal / L): 18 / 68.1
Engine oil (qt / L): 12.5 / 11.8

CAR AND DRIVER REPORT-
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia - Specs
VEHICLE TYPE: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe
ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $250,000
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 263 cu in, 4308cc
Power (SAE net): 503 bhp @ 8500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 347 lb-ft @ 5250 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual with automated shifting and clutch
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 102.4 in Length: 177.6 in Width: 75.7 in Height: 47.2 in
Curb weight: 3150 lb
PERFORMANCE (MFR’S EST):
Zero to 62 mph: 3.6 sec
Zero to 124 mph: 11.6 sec
PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY (MFR’S EST):
European combined cycle: 15 mpg

The ZR-1 is not even out yet. How can you tell us what it'll hang with and what it won't? The standard Z06's performance can walk all over more then half the cars you listed above. I can guarantee you th ZR-1 will trump the Z-06 in overall performance, that is a fact. And for christs sake, there is no actual documented times for the GT-R, just interent hearsay and rumors. Get off the GT-R's nuts already fanboy.

Neither cars are out and proven yet. how do you guys know how good they are compared to one another?

I, for one, will not comment on it, performance wise, until I get behind the wheels of them.

I'm not a big corvette fan, but I still respect it for what it is able to do. The ZR-1 is a Corvette, take it for what its worth.

"The ZR-1 might be as fast as the Scudiera if it doesn't weight as much as a PIG."

My current Z06 come in at 3140 lbs. Check your stats -about the same as the Scuderia. It comes down to a drivers race. Same with the GT-R - If I could just get past it's looks it could be a cool car.

Indeed some people here don't realize the nature of the Corvette community, or how good the Corvette really is. Most Vette enthusiasts know their cars inside and out very well, and they are honest about what is right and wrong with their favorite sportscar -- very different from the wild speculation that fanboys post online.

If we're talking track performance, this ZR-1 is rumored to be improved in every measurable way. The Corvette just gets better and better - vastly exceeding the expectations of the naysayers who haven't driven a new Vette lately. Nice job, GM!

Now let's reflect reality for a moment. The Corvette has definitely become a world-class sports car, the Z06 and upcoming ZR-1 being the best ever. By sports car, i mean true sports driving, not luxury cruiser -- DO NOT buy a Z06 for casual road use or commuting. Arguably a VW R32 would be a more satisfying car for street driving, and the interior of the VW is as good or better. The interior materials selection and the lack of robustness on some electrical gadgets of the Corvette have been long-standing complaints, and the suspension is far too track-oriented for daily use. To many people, that's fine, because the Z-06, like the Viper or many other supercars, is a serious machine that doesn't need to mesh nicely with most drivers' daily needs. That's why the pony cars were offered.

But that's not the point. People here are starting to act as though Ferrari's Scuderia has been beaten. Well, yes and no. Although both are best enjoyed on the track and on different tracks, either one might win over the other, the similarities start to disappear after that. They are two very different cars, and they are purchased by different groups of people.

For half the price of a Scuderia, you will get almost the same on-paper performance from a Corvette ... but not the same experience. Ferrari's mid-engine layout and no-cost-cutting position in the market means that Ferrari can focus on intricate details which the Corvette engineers simply are not allowed to spend time & effort. The Ferrari is aimed only at the most affluent, and therefore most exclusive. Thus, the Scuderia is reported to be the best handling V-8 street-legal road car in the world, bar none. Of course, your opinion may differ, but only a handful of drivers would honestly be able to make the judgement, so it's not worth belaboring the point. If you haven't personally driven the Scuderia (I have not), then let's not waste our time arguing.

Take the ZR-1 for what it is: the best street-legal sports car for the other 98% of us who can't afford the very best Ferrari handling. Remember, horsepower is cheap, and 0-60 times don't matter much outside of the NHRA. Legions of aftermarket companies will take any car to whatever performance level you want to take it. But you can't take a front-engine (to be precise, the Corvette is mid-front engine with aft transmission) car and make it handle like a mid-engine

(continued) ... because a long driveline will always have an inferior polar moment of inertia. Mid-engine cars will always be superior sportscars when properly tuned and in the hands of a competent driver.

The Scuderia wins my heart, but the Corvette (or Porsche, or any of a dozen other cars) will more likely win my purchase.

Ok, to everyone that thinks this car cant hang with the viper (600 hp) or the crappy mustang (even the gt55 kr).
the KR is only gonna have 540hp, and it is no where near as aerodynamic or race friendly as the zr-1....
The new corvette is smaller then the last.
the new engine isnt a huge heavy one like the zo6,
and it is more aerodynamic.
Its got a supercharged 6.2 liter. bringing in around 650hp and 600 lb-ft of torque.
thats a small bloc for u who doesnt kno.... of which means way better compression. go check out the engine in that baby, its amazing! were talkin bout a 0-60 in 3.7 while staying in first.
this car is a new page when it comes to corvettes. and its a very good one.
hands down, the zr-1 will kick the Kr's ass, and i wouldnt be suprised if itll beat the viper.
and above all it wins in economy. so dont diss this bad ass car until u really read up on it.