Blue Devil!

[TheIntrepid]

http://jalopnik.com/cars/detroit-auto-show/2009-corvette-zr+1-301413.php

http://jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/09/2009_Corvette_ZR-1.jpg

These appear to be the best non-engine bay shots yet of the new-for-2009 up-charged Corvette ZR-1 (or SS, Mako Shark, Blue Devil, or whatever folks want to call it these days). Although one thing we do know is if it's going to be called ZR-1 with that new 6.2L supercharged small-block nuclear reactor powerplant that's expected to be under the hood, then the name probably could stand for "Zee Really fast 1." We're expecting this new 'vette to bow at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Full scoop from spy shooter Brenda Priddy after the jump -- more pictures coming momentarily. UPDATE: Full gallery up below.
galleryPost('2009CorvetteZR1Spy', 8, 'Spy Photos - 2009 Corvette ZR-1');Spy Photos - 2009 Corvette ZR-1

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http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2007/09/thumb140x140_1408180792_3b942cd11e_o.jpg[/LIST][INDENT]These are likely the best and maybe the last pictures of what is commonly referred to as the Blue Devil Corvette, before it's makes its official debut in January at the NAIAS in Detroit. For the last two years the media has called the supercharged Corvette everything from Blue Devil to SS, Z07 and Sting Ray, but Motor Trend recently stated that it will officially be called the ZR-1.
  At a quick glance this might look like an 'ordinary' Z06 with a vinyl-clad hood, but this Corvette is anything but ordinary!
   Power for this beast will come from GM's new LS9 motor. The LS9 is a 6.2L, supercharged, small-block V8. This powerplant will put out anywhere from 600-650 horsepower. The supercharged V8 will utilize an integrated intake manifold intercooler, and it's expected to run a 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds. The 6.2-liter V8 will be built at GM's Performance Center in Wixom, Michigan. Our photographer reported that the exhaust note coming from this monster was "VERY mean....VERY angry."
  The super-hot ZR-1 will weight even less than the Z06, utilizing more carbon fiber in the body (notice A and B pillars, and the roof), as well as polycarbonate "window" in the hood. The rocker panels, as well as other body panels, may be carbon fiber as well.
  With speeds reaching, and possibily exceeding, 200mph, a wider, taller, lip spoiler has been added to the back of this Corvette. The spoiler now runs almost the entire length of the car to increase downforce and keep those massive tires glued to the road.
  In the past few months, rumors have circulated that GM would be switching from Goodyear tires to Michelin tires for this Super Vette. We can now confirm this as this test car is sporting Michelin Pilot Sport ZP tires. The rear tires appear to be a whopping 335/25Z/20 size! A quick look inside the tires also reveals a huge set of cross-drilled rotors and an equally large set of calipers. We believe it to be a carbon-ceramic brake set-up.
  Production of the supercharged Corvette will start in July of 2008 (as a 2009 model). Annual production numbers expected to be in the 1500-1750 range. When the all-new ZR-1 goes to production- expect the price tag to be in the $100,000 range.
[/INDENT]

[Payman]

$100,000? It'll lose any advantage over the 600hp, $86,000 Viper.

[SVT666]

$100,000? It'll lose any advantage over the 600hp, $86,000 Viper.

I'm really interested in seeing how this car performs....or doesn't.  The Z06 is already squirelly and overpowered.  The ZR-1 is supposed to be lighter then the Z06 and have an additional 100-150 hp.  Will it ever hook up?

[sandertheshark]

I hope those are shark gills under the masking on the flanks.

[sandertheshark]

I'm really interested in seeing how this car performs....or doesn't.  The Z06 is already squirelly and overpowered.  The ZR-1 is supposed to be lighter then the Z06 and have an additional 100-150 hp.  Will it ever hook up?

Read the part about new tires.  There's nothing wrong with the Z06 that swapping out the worthless stock Goodyear runflats doesn't fix.  Chevy's aware of this.

[SVT666]

Read the part about new tires.  There's nothing wrong with the Z06 that swapping out the worthless stock Goodyear runflats doesn't fix.  Chevy's aware of this.

Actually it's more then just the tires.  It's the suspension tuning as well.

[sandertheshark]

Actually it's more then just the tires.  It's the suspension tuning as well.

Maybe, but proper tires go a very long way.  And suspension tuning is also easy to do.

[SVT666]

Maybe, but proper tires go a very long way.  And suspension tuning is also easy to do.

GM didn't get it right the first time.  They changed it on the second year Z06 and it was better, but still not right.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

As long as GM gets the suspention right the first time they'll sell everyone they can build.Hell the Viper can barely outrun the Z06 with "only" 505hp.But I really want to see how this Vette will match up to the Lambos and Ferarris that cost damn near double of what the ZR-1  will cost.

[BimmerM3]

I don't see why they don't just go the Viper route and give the car stupidly wide rear tires.

[sandertheshark]

I don't see why they don't just go the Viper route and give the car stupidly wide rear tires.

Yes you do.

[Lebowski]

$100,000? It'll lose any advantage over the 600hp, $86,000 Viper.

Considering the $75k Z06 is already a vastly superior all around vehicle than the shitbox Viper, I don't see why they need to price this in-line with the Viper.  It's a different car.

[nickdrinkwater]

Gimme a Corvette over a Viper anyday.

[r0tor]

Considering the $75k Z06 is already a vastly superior all around vehicle than the shitbox Viper, I don't see why they need to price this in-line with the Viper.  It's a different car.

hmm, it just got beat in all performance aspects by the shitbox Viper in C&D this month

[SVT666]

I don't see why they don't just go the Viper route and give the car stupidly wide rear tires.

Are you kidding me?  The Z06's rear tires are only 3/4" narrower.  345mm for the Viper and 325 for the Z06.

[SVT666]

Considering the $75k Z06 is already a vastly superior all around vehicle than the shitbox Viper, I don't see why they need to price this in-line with the Viper.  It's a different car.

It's not a different car.  They're very similar in every respect.  Both are front engine, both are 2 seaters, both are RWD, 2007 models are 500+ hp, 2008 models will be 600+ hp, both are rough, both are crude, both are within a tenth of each other in almost every acceleration test, handling is similar, braking is similar, track times are similar, they even look similar, same hood scoop, etc. 

I would hardly say the current Z06 is superior to a car that just kicked it's ass.

[GoCougs]

Tuning the 'Vette suspension is not easy. There are many challenges in using the transverse leafs; resonance and torsional bending from the quasi-roll bar affect, and more, make it not an easy process.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I personally believe that the vette will have to move the engine to the proper place to really be in the exotic/supercar catagory.

Just my 2 cents.

[Raghavan]

I think they should lower the price to about $90k.
Then i would love this new ZR-1. But if it's over $100k, you might as well just buy a Z06.

[giant_mtb]

Don't care.

[VetteZ06]

Both are front engine, both are 2 seaters, both are RWD, 2007 models are 500+ hp, 2008 models will be 600+ hp, both are rough, both are crude, both are within a tenth of each other in almost every acceleration test, handling is similar, braking is similar, track times are similar, they even look similar, same hood scoop, etc.

Pretty much every magazine has made it a point to say that the Corvette feels like a luxury car compared to the Viper. If the Corvette is crude, the Viper feels about as sophisticated as a conestoga wagon.

As for performance, the Z06 is quite close to the Viper for being down 100 horsepower (no doubt due to the weight difference). Commenting on the super-Vette's performance is not really worthwhile at this point, but we all know how much faster the Z06 was than the Viper when it had roughly the same power output.

I would hardly say the current Z06 is superior to a car that just kicked it's ass.

Recall that C&D still preferred the Z06 - the point margin wasn't exactly tiny, either. The Z06 won for the same reason that BMWs win comparison tests in which they aren't the best outright performers.

[VetteZ06]

Don't care.

Did you accidentally click on the link to this thread?

[Eye of the Tiger]

As for performance, the Z06 is quite close to the Viper for being down 100 horsepower (no doubt due to the weight difference). Commenting on the super-Vette's performance is not really worthwhile at this point, but we all know how much faster the Z06 was than the Viper when it had roughly the same power output.

Viper is also slower than you'd think because it has a taller final drive and taller rear tires, although it shares the same transmission as the Vette. The engine's useful powerbands aren't so much different, either.

[sandertheshark]

I personally believe that the vette will have to move the engine to the proper place to really be in the exotic/supercar catagory.

Just my 2 cents.

I've been hoping for this for years, but I wouldn't want the front-rear to disappear.  I think they should split the Corvette lineup and leave the Z06 where it is at the top of the Corvette pile, and then add a totally new mid-rear supercar line called either the Corvette Astro or Corvette XP, which should include a lower-priced rotary at some point.

[565]

GM didn't get it right the first time.  They changed it on the second year Z06 and it was better, but still not right.

And they will probably keep fixing it.  GM changed the 2001 Z06's suspension for the 2002 year to make it less tail happy.  In 2004 they changed the shock settings again after extensive testing at the Nurburgring.

[SVT666]

And they will probably keep fixing it.  GM changed the 2001 Z06's suspension for the 2002 year to make it less tail happy.  In 2004 they changed the spring settings again after extensive testing at the Nurburgring.

They should get it right the first time in a car like that.

[VetteZ06]

They should get it right the first time in a car like that.

Armchair quarterback.

[565]

They should get it right the first time in a car like that.

Z06's are a bit rushed to market.  It's great hardware, but the tuning needs a few years to perfect.  Look how long Nissan has spend on the Ring with their GTR, along with various tracks around the world.  GM does most of their track testing on their smooth Gratten race track, and then brings the Z06 to the Ring for 2 weeks to set some records, even though Jan remarked that the car was difficult to drive on the limit.

The 2001 Z06 is the ultimate example of a rushed product.  I think they pushed the car out prematurely to compare favorably to the 2000 Cobra R.  I guess they didn't like the idea of a Mustang beating a Vette. The 2001 LS6 engine often burned oil, the rear shocks were way too stiff, no HUD, and a few other things.  They changed the car just months later.  I bet alot of early 2001 Z06 buyers were pissed.

[sandertheshark]

They should get it right the first time in a car like that.

Nobody does anything right the first time.

[SVT666]

Armchair quarterback.

I don't se very many other manufacturers making that same mistake.  most get it right the first time, and if they don't, they fix it the second time.  GM hasn't got it right yet.