Top Gear Takes On The ZR-1 But Were They Impressed?

I feel like I've been tipped off the top of the Cresta Run. On rollerblades. And I'm blindfolded. Holy cow, this is scary. To clarify the situation, let's look at the issues.

One: the track I'm on, which is full of closing-radius sphincter-tightening corners, treacherous cambers, conniving double-apex curves and, most of all, blind traps that jump up at you from behind crests.

Issue two, the car. In the Corvette ZR1, we've got 638bhp, in a machine that weighs just 1,518kg fully fuelled and optioned. That's Enzo Ferrari territory.

I don't know the car, and I don't know the track. That combination is so intimidating, I feel like I've about 1,500bhp under my toe.

My first tickle had the rear tyres spinning up in second gear, in a straight line, with the ESP and traction control fully on.

Hyundai - 9/15/2008 12:41:05 PM

+5 Boost

The last part of the article sums the ZR-1 up the best:

"More seriously, people will object that the ZR1 looks like, and has a cabin like, a car of half the price.

But it has the performance and the chassis to match an SLR 722 and other tackle three times its price. So you have to decide what you call value.

Generally speaking, the faster supercars get, the harsher and more tiring they are. The ZR1 isn't like that. It's a comfy, refined GT. But it'll do the supercar bit too: thrill you, challenge you, launch you into multidirectional G-loadings.

That sounds like a reasonable definition of value to me."

DaHarder - 9/15/2008 1:05:14 PM

+16 Boost

To the truly logical/reasonable enthusiast, the new ZR-1 easily represents the greatest super-car value yet... All other arguments are essentially moot!

Star - 9/15/2008 4:43:06 PM

-6 Boost

The word "value" doesn't exist in the vocabulary of a real car enthusiast. The market is full of idiots calling themselves "value" buyers who believe the more horsepower you buy for your money the better the "value". For the same amount of money the "value" buyer will choose a 638 HP Corvette while the real enthusiast will "settle" for the real thing, a 415 hp Porsche GT3. "Value" buyers are the opposite of a car enthusiast.

Cornholio852 - 9/15/2008 4:50:14 PM

+2 Boost

Amen brother

Cornholio852 - 9/15/2008 4:51:30 PM

+6 Boost

and just for the record i was agrreing with DaHarder, not star

Need4Speed - 9/15/2008 1:31:43 PM

+5 Boost

The biggest issue I have with this car is....

...I can't afford it!

CLK63BlackSeries - 9/15/2008 1:50:10 PM

-17 Boost

They could throw 1500 hp in that thing, but it's still a Corvette, and I still wouldn't buy it.

jasaero - 9/15/2008 1:54:37 PM

+7 Boost

A lot of people are the same as you. Can't deny though that this would easily out run the CLK63BlackSeries you name yourself after here! Not to mention it probably has a more compliant ride.

Nostradamus - 9/15/2008 2:09:12 PM

+6 Boost

There's a name for individuals like CLK63BlackSeries - (badge) POSUER!

Cornholio852 - 9/15/2008 4:52:08 PM

+1 Boost

OH SNAP!

CommonSense01 - 9/15/2008 5:09:26 PM

+2 Boost

same could be said of you a clk63 AMG black or non black series, its still only a clk or c class.

CLK63BlackSeries - 9/15/2008 5:42:17 PM

0 Boost

I am well aware of the fact that the ZR-1 is (substantially) faster than the Black. However, I still stand by my opinion. I would take my car anyday, and have, over the ZR-1. It is my opinion, and you definitely do not have to agree. And how am I a badge Poseur. It's a simple choice of Mercedes over Chevy, and I am glad to make it, be it a C class, or an S. My car's ride is terrific btw, and I have driven a Corvette and couldn't even hear my friend sitting next to me because of all of the rattling going on in the cabin. The Corvettes just aren't built like Mercedes cars. It's a fact.

hao420 - 9/15/2008 7:22:29 PM

-1 Boost

Yea,first of all,i hate blue paint on that vette......

CLK63BlackSeries - 9/15/2008 5:51:11 PM

0 Boost

The interior is my biggest problem with the Corvette. It just doesn't have a supercar interior. The exterior was amazing on the Z06 but the ZR-1 just looks overworked and tacky. Those wheels just dont do it either.

Porschinator - 9/15/2008 7:57:47 PM

+1 Boost

GM tried too ahrd to lighten the car thats why interior is not plush like a MB. Still could have used better materials because layout itself is not bad at all. The rest of the car is kick a$$!

91z4me - 9/15/2008 10:14:22 PM

+2 Boost

For the starting price of the Corvette the interior isn't all that bad. But when your spending ZR1 and Z06 money it just isn't up to snuff.

CLK63BlackSeries - 9/16/2008 2:40:50 AM

+3 Boost

The lightest cars in the world, ferraris and lambos for example, have some of the most beautiful interiors ever created. Light doesn't mean ugly and cheap. Light means Light.

RSharma - 9/16/2008 2:07:51 AM

+1 Boost

After this ZR1, we all know GM can make supercars, and after looking at the new CTS, we know GM can make a great interior. Let's hope one day, when cash isn't so tight, GM can finally make a TRUE exotic car, where price is no bar. I know the Corvette is supposed to be a value option, but one day, I'm sure GM will create a new exotic car, with ultimate power, refinement, and yes, interior luxury. Then doubters will have nothing left to criticize, it will attack Ferraris and Lambos on every dimension. Let's keep our fingers crossed!