Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design."Chevrolet's goal with the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much - and does so with exceptional driveability," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's basic stats: All-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 targeted at producing at least 100 horsepower per liter, or 620 horsepower (462 kW), and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque (823 Nm) Six-speed, close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmission New, high-capacity dual-disc clutch Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip Twenty-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires - P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear - developed specifically for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Standard carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors - 15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear Larger brake calipers with substantially increased pad area Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with Chevrolet Corvette ZR1-specific dual vents Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window - offering a view of the intercooler below it Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, exposed carbon-fiber weave ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout Only two options: chrome wheels and a "luxury" package Curb weight of approximately 3,350 pounds (1,519 kg) The specialized components of the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 work harmoniously to deliver the most powerful and fastest automobile ever produced by General Motors. Performance estimates will be announced closer to vehicle's summer 2008 launch."Preliminary testing shows the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 builds on the highly respected Chevrolet Corvette Z06 in every performance category, from acceleration and braking, to cornering grip and top speed," said Peper. "It all boils down to the power-to-weight ratio and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's is exceptional - better than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599 and even the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. In fact, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mph."Supercharged LS9 engine The new LS9 6.2L small-block engine is the power plant the supports the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's performance capability. The enabler of the LS9's performance and refinement is a large, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design. It is augmented with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance.A sixth-generation supercharger developed by Eaton helps the LS9 make big power and torque at lower rpm and carries it in a wide arc to 6,600 rpm, as it pushes enough air to help the engine maintain power through the upper levels of the rpm band - the area where supercharged performance tends to diminish. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components enable the engine's confident high-rpm performance.The LS9 is hand-assembled at GM's Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Mich., and incorporates specialty processes typically seen in racing engines to produce a highly refined and precise product. For example, cast iron cylinder liners are inserted in the aluminum block and are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed. The deck plate simulates the pressure and minute dimensional variances applied to the block when the cylinder heads are installed, ensuring a higher degree of accuracy that promotes maximum cylinder head sealing, piston ring fit and overall engine performance.
