Blue Devil Vette to be produced - now called Sting Ray

[5vz-fe]

I will take the Z06 (2nd hand) anyday and use the extra money for mods anyday. Just imagine what you can do with 50k of mods.......<drooling>

[J-San]

Originally Posted by insane Originally Posted by number77 Originally Posted by Minacious Originally Posted by RC45 And the "current Corvette" doesnt use Magnetic Ride like the 599... the 599 is using what has been an option on Corvette for years already - since early C5 days.. Why can the press never give credit where credit is due? Are they all that biased and ill-informed? Yes. God forbid a Ferrari adopts something that the Corvette has been using for years now. So for now on, you will not link Ferrari and technology as directly as you would GM and technology. People like Jeremy Clarkson rip on American cars for not having technology as it is. Stuff like this has to be pointed out. As for the pic above...didn't top gear compare the z06 to the 599? The Blue Devil will easily out perform that car. Its actually aimed much higher than you think. They compared it to a 575 and it was really more on paper, no actual tests. This would probably out-perform a 599 on the track.

That's kind of pointless to compare, the 599GTB is a GT car and not a full-blown hard-edge focused sports car like the Corvette. Probably, in many tracks, even the regular Z06 will outperform the 599GTB, but that's not the point.

[HeilSvenska]

That's kind of pointless to compare, the 599GTB is a GT car and not a full-blown hard-edge focused sports car like the Corvette. Probably, in many tracks, even the regular Z06 will outperform the 599GTB, but that's not the point.

599GTB's not a GT. It's a super-coupe just like Corvette. Ferrari has the 612 for the GT job. It might be more comfortable than the Corvette, but it's not a GT. (It really depends on how you define GT, but then again Corvette can be considered a GT as well.)

[nthfinity]

Word on the street is the C6 ZR1 photo embargo ends tonight.... some of the newest rumors are disturbing...

620 hp, and heavier then a C6 Z06.... we shall see.

[5vz-fe]

heavier than a Z06?

[RC45]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe heavier than a Z06?

That's not that hard to do - extra weight for the blower and the water in the cooling system, bigger wheels all round (19" & 20" vs 18" & 19"), wider heavier tyres, bigger heavier brakes and more creature comforts to satisfy the "but my BMW has a foot massager in the glove box" crowd..

I think the ZR1 is going to be more SLR than CLK

[5vz-fe]

^lol, that is totally not justifiable from any stand point. Any potential buyer will see that they will be better of will a NA modded Z06. Less weight, less heat, more direct response, better off throttle response, .........

[nthfinity]

Mark Gerisch Put those Damn Ugly side exit bits on....

So that, the rear duck tail, and the positively negative camber visible up front....

Exclusive First Look! 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 By Frank Markus Photography by Richard Prince Asked the question, "Why do a ZR1?" Corvette Vehicle Line executive Tom Wallace shoots back, "Because we can. We have the technology inside General Motors to do a car that can go up against any supercar from around the world," he continues, punctuating the thought with this threat: "I can't wait to take on any Porsche with this car, and we're going to be right in there with the Ferrari [599s] and Lamborghini [Murcilagos]." Whoa, ease off the Red Bull, Tom. This is a just a souped-up C6 Corvette, right? Or did you slip a mid-engine V-12 in without the blogosphere noticing? An hour with chief engineer Tadge Juechter reveals that this is indeed a Z06 upgraded with the best tech in GM's arsenal. 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, if that's what you can do with $60,000, I wonder what a $100,000 Corvette would look like?" With no more formal authorization than that, Juechter's posse launched a skunkworks effort dubbed "Blue Devil"-a nod to the boss's Duke alma mater.They started with turbochargers for efficiency's sake, but switched to supercharging when Eaton unveiled its latest four-lobe Roots-type blower. This new unit boasts thermal efficiency of nearly 76 percent (up from some 60 in the best three-lobe blowers)-near turbo efficiency with no lag. To preserve forward visibility, the intercooler sends air from the top of the blower out sideways through separate cooling blocks for each bank. There was talk of allowing the blower to stick out through a shaker hood, but water intrusion issues drove the clear polycarbonate window dome. The engine is based on a modified LS3 6.2-liter block (the LS7's cylinder walls are too thin to withstand boost) and is expected to produce 100 horsepower/liter. Because tweaks are still being made to the cooling system, final testing won't happen for months. (SAE procedures require a 0-to-60 test be run in a car with instruments measuring intake air temperatures at 60 mph so that air can be supplied at precisely the same temperature during the dyno test.) Expect 620-plus horses and around 600 pound feet. Because blowers add weight, extensive lightening efforts were concentrated in front. The fenders, hood inner and outer panels, roof panel, and C-pillar roof bar are carbon fiber, the tooling for which caps production at 2000 per year. The fibers are visible on the roof and hood inner, and to prevent ultraviolet light from degrading them a special additive costing over $60,000/gallon (!) is added at three-percent concentration in the thin clear-coat layer ($2000/gallon). In all, the new car is expected to weigh about 200 pounds more than a Z06 and to nudge the weight bias forward slightly to 52/48 front/rear. Major developments in the chassis department include Brembo calipers grabbing gigantic carbon-ceramic rotors designed for Ferrari's Enzo and FXX. (At an expected price of near $100,000, the ZR1 will be the least expensive car with standard CCM brakes.) We're assured the brakes work perfectly well when cold, and they don't squeal. Delphi reengineered its magneto-rheological shocks to withstand the extreme temperatures encountered in track duty, allowing the ZR1 to ride like a base coupe and outhandle the Z51 and Z06. Will it all work? The ZR1 is undergoing GM's full battery of passenger-car durability tests as well as its motorsport torture regimen (250 miles of autocrossing and a 24-hour endurance race), so it should hold up fine. The hardware and numbers sound impressive and we're rooting for the home team, but can a car with a front weight bias really smoke a GT3 or F430 Scuderia around the 'Ring? And if it does, will the well-heeled queue up to buy one?

[nthfinity]

CHEVROLET ENTERS THE WORLD OF SUPERCARS WITH 2009 CORVETTE ZR1 New, Supercharged LS9 V-8 is the Heart of the ZR1 DETROIT - Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 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 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 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 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 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 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 ZR1 builds on the highly respected 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 ZR1's is exceptional - better than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599 and even the Lamborghini LP640. In fact, the 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 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. Transmission and axle The LS9 engine is backed by a new, stronger six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc clutch that provide exceptional clamping power, while maintaining an easy clutch effort. ZR1-specific gearing in the transmission provides a steep first-gear ratio that helps launch the car, and top speed is achieved in sixth gear - a change from the fifth-gear top-speed run-outs in the manual-transmission Corvette and Corvette Z06. As the term implies, the twin-disc clutch system employs a pair of discs, which spreads out the engine's torque load over a wider area. This enables tremendous clamping power when the clutch is engaged, while also helping to dissipate heat better and extend the life of the clutch. The twin-disc clutch system also contributes to the ZR1's exceptional driving quality, with smooth and easy shifting. The twin-disc system's design enables a 25-percent reduction in inertia, thanks to smaller, 260-mm plates, corresponding to a pedal effort that is similar to the Corvette Z06's 290-mm single-disc system. The rear axle also is stronger in the ZR1 and features asymmetrical axle-shaft diameters that were developed after careful testing to provide optimal torque management. The axles are also mounted on a more horizontal plane that correlates with the wider width of the rear wheels and tires. Ride and handling The ZR1 is built on the same aluminum-intensive chassis as the Corvette Z06 and features similar independent SLA front and rear suspensions, with aluminum upper and lower control arms. Where the ZR1 differs is the suspension tuning, which was optimized for the car's steamroller-wide front and rear tires. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard and tuned specifically for the ZR1. The system's ability to deliver a compliant ride with nearly instantaneous damping adjustments enabled engineers to develop a surprisingly supple ride quality in a supercar that still delivers cornering grip of more than 1g. From a high-performance perspective, Magnetic Selective Ride Control helps the rear axle remain planted during launch for smooth, hop-free acceleration. It also helps suppress axle movement when cornering on broken or uneven pavement. Brakes, wheels and tires Commensurate with the ZR1's engine output is the braking system, which is headlined by carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Found on only a few exotics and more expensive supercars, carbon-ceramic brake rotors are made of a carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic silicon carbide material . Their advantage comes in low mass and resistance to wear and heat. In fact, the rotors should never show any corrosion or require replacement for the life of the vehicle, when used in normal driving. The vented and cross-drilled rotors on the ZR1 measure 15.5 inches (394 mm) in diameter in the front and 15 inches (380 mm) in diameter in the rear - making them among the largest carbon-ceramic rotors available on any production vehicle. Clamping down on the high-tech rotors are six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers, each painted a ZR1-exclusive blue. The front pads are equivalent in size to the largest on any production car with a single-pad design - double that of the Corvette Z06's 70-sq.-cm. front pads. The brakes are visible through the ZR1's exclusive wheels: 20-spoke alloy rims that measure 19 inches in diameter in the front and 20 inches in the rear. They come standard with a bright, Sterling Silver paint finish and chrome versions are optional. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires developed specifically for the ZR1, measuring P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear. Exclusive exterior The ZR1 is instantly recognizable, with perhaps the most identifiable feature a raised, all-carbon-fiber hood that incorporates a clear, polycarbonate window. The window provides a view of the top of the engine's intercooler, with the legend "LS9 SUPERCHARGED" embossed on the left and right sides, and an engine cover with the Corvette crossed flags logo debossed at the front. The underside of the hood has an exposed carbon-fiber-weave. Exposed carbon-fiber is used on the roof, roof bow, rocker molding and front splitter. These exterior components are protected by a specially developed glossy, UV-resistant clear coat that resists yellowing and wear. Widened, carbon-fiber front fenders with specific, dual lower vents, and a full-width, body-color rear spoiler incorporating the center high-mounted stop lamp, are also unique to the ZR1. All of the exterior features of the car were developed to enhance high-speed stability and driver control. Interior details The ZR1's interior builds on the brand's dual-cockpit heritage, with high-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality that support the premium-quality experience promised by the car's performance. The ZR1's cabin differs from the Corvette and Corvette Z06 with the following: * ZR1-logo sill plates * ZR1-logo headrest embroidery * Specific gauge cluster with "ZR1" logo on the tachometer and a 220-mph (370 km/h) readout on the speedometer * Boost gauge added to the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display The "base" ZR1 (RPO 1LZ) comes with accoutrements based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The uplevel interior package includes unique, power-adjustable and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); custom, leather-wrapped interior available in four colors; navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and more. By the numbers In addition to the exterior cues and powertrain, ZR1 models will be distinguished from other Corvette models by their VIN. Each will carry a unique, identifying VIN digit, as well as a sequential build number. This makes it easy to determine the build number of a specific car - information treasured by enthusiasts and collectors. For example, a ZR1 with a VIN ending in "0150" would indicate it is the 150 th ZR1 built for the model year.

3350 Lbs.

[gangajas]

I wonder why they haven't equipped the car with proper bucket seats.

[acmarttin]

So Z06: 3132 lbs. at 505 hp
& ZR1: 3350 lbs. at 620 hp

The one in the pics with the black roof reminds me of the NSX-R

[fabro_s]

Lets see if it would handle the battle with the powerful SLR and the exceptional 599.

But well everybody said the Z06 would fail against Ferrari and Lamborghini and everybody had a big surprise at the end...

[5vz-fe]

The transmission seems like a good upgrade for current Z06 owners. Maybe it can be obtained from GM Parts?

[RC45]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe The transmission seems like a good upgrade for current Z06 owners. Maybe it can be obtained from GM Parts?

I am very interested in that little tid bit

The cost of getting my 6th swapped out for a 202mph gear ratio and the hardening rebuild, is about the cost of a new tranny anyway.

If they keep the 3.42 rear end, I am guessing the 6th gear will be about .75 which would give the ZR1 a 202mph topend at 6500rpm.

My 7000 redline would get me to 215.... so I would be able to play with the new kids at top speed as well

If they opt for a .71 then the ZR1 will be good for 210... and I would be geared for 229

[graywolf624]

Old hotness:
Comments about how large your dubbs are.

New hotness:
Comments about how your brake rotors are bigger then the other guys wheels..

15.5" good grief.