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The Miraculous New Corvette

By: curtiss

Engineers are confidant that the ZR1 will be the most fuel efficient 600 horsepower super-car on the market. The coil packs are mounted on the valve covers. The ZR1 is based on the Corvette Z06's aluminum chassis, but there are quite a few unique body panels. Personally I think supercharging is kinda cheating.

The chassis, similar to the 2008 Z06, will be made of aluminum. GM is basing the tight allocation on those who have high-volume total retail sales and sell a lot of Corvettes. Chevrolet has been working on a high-end Corvette to slot above the Z06 as GM's hottest sports car for some time. Michelin North America�s C3M facility is producing new-technology run-flat tires that will be original equipment on the 2009 Corvette ZR1, according to a Michelin spokeswoman.

A ZR1 was never part of the original C6 plan, but, at an early program review, the Z06�s proposed aluminum frame, carbon-fiber parts, and LS7 engine so impressed CEO Rick Wagoner that he reportedly wondered aloud, �Geez". Juechter did say that the ZR1, "will be somewhat less [fuel-efficient] than a Z06," which is currently rated at 15/24 by the EPA, "and we expect a small gas-guzzler tax [on the ZR1]. GM spokeswoman Carolyn Markey said the problem has caused 267 vehicle fires and six injuries, five of them minor and one moderate. Along with the front splitter, the roof of the ZR1 is also made of visible carbon fiber.

In terms of acceleration, the ZR1 will most definitely beat its Z06 counterpart, thanks to a 115-horsepower output advantage. The difference in half shafts are designed to minimize wheel hop during hard launches. Expect to see the official unveil this summer, with sales starting this fall.

But both of these cost well over $300,000, while we expect the ZR1 to sticker for around $100,000 when its 2000 production units arrive next summer. The ZR1 was the most expensive GM car ever made, but compared to other supercars of the time, it was comparatively cheap. They're also working on offering a kit for the Lexus IS-F , set to include headers and a modified exhaust system to squeeze more oopmh from the eight-geared oddity. Cars pictured are for illustration purposes only, wheels and color may not be the actual car listed as the Example.

GM folks say they're getting closer to a production car, but, they say, the battery technology still needs to get better before these cars hit dealerships. These exterior components are protected by a specially developed glossy, UV-resistant clear coat that resists yellowing and wear. GM's plan for the LS9 included a supercharger, and it felt the 427 cubic-inch block wasn't strong enough to reliably hold up to the intended boost.

GM Powertrain has completed SAE certification of the ZR1? Like the original 1990 ZR1, the heart of this new model is the engine. This light weighting should keep the ZR1 close to the Z06's 3132 pounds�perhaps only a bit heavier. Powered by a 638-horsepower supercharged 6.2 liter engine.

has a maximum speed of 205 miles per hour and is marketed as the most fuel-efficient engine for engines classified as having 600 horsepower or greater. The front brake rotors are the same carbon ceramic design as those employed in the Ferrari FXX track car. Carbon-ceramic drilled disc brakes dissipate heat like a blown radiator. All Harlan Charles, project manager for the Corvette team was able to tell us last week was the new high-powered �Vette engine is �capable of producing at least 100 horsepower per liter.

Cars like this vette was meant to be in the street daily, not in someones garage who has no idea what is under the hood. A Gen VI Eaton blower displacing 20 psi. Coil packs are identical to those used on the LS3.