2008 Corvette ZR1 preview

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By Matt Brogan | January 02nd, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re pleased to introduce to you the 2008 Corvette ZR1.

Using the previous model’s aluminium chassis but changing most of the alloy panels for carbon fibre ones, the ZR1′s weight reduction and all new supercharged 6.2-litre small-block V8 make this the fastest Corvette yet.

Boasting 462kW and 806Nm the performance figures are sure to be well in to the 200mph (322km/h) range, and should also eclipse the outgoing model’s 0-100km/h time of 4.0 seconds.

More than half of the available horsepower is on tap from just 1000rpm and over 90 per cent of the torque curve delivered from the 2600rpm mark. Sharing Magnetic Ride Control (similar to HSV’s GTS) the new ‘Vette should also (finally) be more comfortable.

The ZR1 will preview at the Detroit Motor Show later this month.

http://www.caradvice.com.au Karl Peskett

Hopefully Performax will get their hands on one…soon!

Australia, here we come!
Scott C

Now that is going to be one incredibly fast car!! Mid low 11s at least with that power and torque! Would love to drive one of those!
Mitch

Is this meant to be more performance oriented then the z06?
Oz.

I wonder how this new front mounted engine ZR1 would go againts a mid mounted engine 2005 Ford GT?
http://www.caradvice.com.au Anthony

Its a damn shame that GM Premium Brands won’t bring the Vette
here to Australia so hard working folks could afford one of these superb muscle cars.

Performax are just way too pricey with their US offerings.
http://navelcontemplation.blogspot.com Supercujo

What is with that tacky window over the engine? If you want to see the engine, have it poke through the bonnet.

It looks like a Hot Wheels car. I dunno if that is something really good or really bad…

Still, I reckon the GT-R would be more fun.
Bubba Ganush

I like it especially in that blue
Anthony

There is beauty in that car, but then they came and made it ugly, Supercujo is right, it looks like a hot wheels car.
Anthonii

Wow i just noticed their is another person posting on here as “Anthony”… Would explain a few seemingly random comments…

hmmm…

Time for a change for me then
Bavarian Missile

Yep Anthony at a cost of $240,000 for a C6 by them…….I would hate to think at a cost of $100,000 US what that will equate in OZ dollars once a right hand hook conversion is done!

Theres a few other choices I think I may make before one of these thanks!
Captain Mainwaring

Pity the instrument panel looks like that of an old VY Commodore. They’ll get it right one day. Maybe. Perhaps.
Wheelnut

Don’t be surprised if the LS-7 is dropped into the next VF series of HSVs due in 2010.. seems to be quite alot happening then doesn’t there?

However instead of just having that liitle window covering the heat sink of the supercharger why not make the bonnet bulge out of perspex – if not the whole bonnet with a pearlescent effect to make it opaque like you see on some show cars.

Ferrari like to show off their engines why doesn’t GM or Ford
Bavarian Missile

Cause there not as pretty…..I mean take a look at even the BF GT……..still to many wires and that egg cartoon they have …….yuk!

But they have the bulge that makes up for it!

Been a while since I have popped the bonnet of a HSV….so couldn’t comment!
Watto_Cobra

Not sure about the clear bonnet/bulge idea Wheelnut. It looks great on a mid-engine supercar but a front-engine??? dunno.
Frugal One

The interior is still junk and looks like a base pov Chev. subcompact hatch.

Needs a nicer interior job, far to plain and ordinary.

Rather a GT-R for around the same coin, impressive all the same, hope the engine finds its way to HSV?

Go superb in a MS8 Elfin!

Cheers

M
fasthonda

I’m suprised it’s only a 6.2 litre from the Americans!I actually dread this car because it will undoubtly be able to beat some supercars costing probably more than twice.This means that all over the internet GM fans are going to brag and say it’s faster than the Gallardo faster than the Ferrari 430 etc blah!..blah!But inreality it is still a Corvette that looks like it’s been “hotted up” by some street racer.
Duck

Will the new HSV Clubbie and GTS get the same engine?
Wheelnut

Duck – Most likely; but not until the VF in 2010..about the same time as the Twin Turbo Torana [SL/R6700 ?]

BM – Under the HSV bonnet it hasn’t changed that much there’s a more stylish red and black “turtle shell” under which the manifold looks the same as the Holden EFI 5.0 V8.

Seems that the Corvette is the only modern car from athe US with name from the past that hasn’t gone for retro looks like the old 1956-1963 style
Duck

The next Commodore will be called the VF series…………….okay!