Tuesday 23rd October 2007

ZR-1 Takes On The Corkscrew

Prototype spotted getting a hammering at Laguna Seca

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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it's just one quick Corvette

Our petrolhead friends on the other side of the Atlantic have been getting a little over-excited about this “concept” Corvette.

Although still not entirely an official project, GM certainly didn’t seem to mind parading this lightly disguised prototype last Friday evening, as part of the American Le Mans Series’ end of season frolics at Laguna Seca.

Over the last two years, the car has been rumoured to exist under a whole host of names – Stingray, SS, Z07 and latterly Blue Devil, to name but a few – but this car is now confirmed as being the ZR-1.

While we’ll have to wait until early next year – possibly the Detroit Autoshow – for the official specifications, and trust us they’ll be worth it, the consensus seems to indicate that this car will run the new LS9 small-block, supercharged V8.

Power outputs should be somewhere between 600 to 650bhp, and 0-62mph should be despatched in around 3.3seconds.

The car also benefits from a trip to the gym, thanks to a liberal sprinkling of carbon fibre. As well as the bonnet, which was carbon on the Z06, the roof and A- and B-pillars are now made of the woven black stuff.

We reckon that in keeping with new technology trends, the ’Vette will also feature carbon ceramic discs, but judging by this video, they might need a bit more temperature to haul a flat out car to a reasonable speed before Laguna’s first turn.

[Phil Dicky]

I followed a white Corvette down the M1 from Sheffield north a couple of days ago..not sure what model but was a 57 car...looked very nice.

[Vodka Margarine]

Gloriously mental

Sure Greenpeace will love it

Edited by Vodka Margarine on Tuesday 23 October 08:51

[Huggybearuk]

they are starting to get it right...... shame they cant make a pretty car

[Cookie172]

Huggybearuk said:

they are starting to get it right...... shame they cant make a pretty car

Since when do muscle cars need to be pretty?

It looks like it'd eat children, thats good enough for me

[Lawrence5]

Please don't fit it with cart springs !

[thegman]

please dont start a leaf spring vs coil spring debate!

[427James]

I have driven both and I don't see the problem.

My z06's leaf spring keeps it far more nailed to a track than my Cerbs coils ever, ever did.

And its light.

It just suffers from a strange snobbery problem.

[AngryS3Owner]

What a great car

To put this into perspective, the Z06 is already lighter than pretty much all the small cars out there (golfs etc.) and this is going to be even lighter, I assume this will be around 1300kg or less which is pretty good going if you ask me, oh and it won't break.

[Dr G]

I can't think of a single car I'd rather get stuck in traffic whilst driving.

STFU Greenpeace

[clonmult]

Cookie172 said:

Huggybearuk said:

they are starting to get it right...... shame they cant make a pretty car

Since when do muscle cars need to be pretty?

It looks like it'd eat children, thats good enough for me

More to the point, its the kind of car that my 6 year old would say looks cool. Which pretty much means the design is perfect - if its good enough for a kid to say it looks good, then alls good.

[jellison]

Where did I put that lotto ticket?

Bet there will be no RHD through!!!!!!!

Have to have for my French Retreat.

[Insight]

Has it got little air inlets for the rear brakes? They are cool, but shouldn't they be more of a design feature, they look about the same size and importance as the door handle!
Gorgeous looking cars though.

[jellison]

Insight said:

Has it got little air inlets for the rear brakes? They are cool, but shouldn't they be more of a design feature, they look about the same size and importance as the door handle!
Gorgeous looking cars though.

They are like that on the Z06 - it is a Prototype so it is just a modded Z06

[130R]

I really don't understand the logic behind the ZR-1 going supercharged. A normally aspirated 9.0L V8 small block would have been so much better.

[Insight]

jellison said:

Insight said:

Has it got little air inlets for the rear brakes? They are cool, but shouldn't they be more of a design feature, they look about the same size and importance as the door handle!
Gorgeous looking cars though.

They are like that on the Z06 - it is a Prototype so it is just a modded Z06

Ok cheers! Look forward to the real one then!

[turbo tim]

@ ZR1CLIFF
How did you know it was going to be called that??

[dinkel]

Trust me: 570 brake is nuff!

[flattotheboards]

at least they are starting to make cars to our taste that are decent.

[jellison]

dinkel said:

Trust me: 570 brake is nuff!

Been out with Godzilla

Na - slap so turbo's on it.

[Mattygooner]

I dont think the vettes look like muscle cars any more, for me they look rather pretty.