Yep, it’s quick. As in speeding-bullet quick. As in parked-to-60 mph in 3.4 seconds quick. As in 205 mph top speed quick. But it’s what happens when you stomp on the middle pedal that turns Chevy’s wicked $108-grand ZR1 into a true automotive rock star.
This thing has the brakes from hell!
Just the sight of those monster rotors and giant metallic blue calipers lurking behind the ZR1’s thin-spoked 20-inch rims will have you salivating like a sophomore at a spring break wet T-shirt contest. Supplied by Brembo, the 15.5-inch front and 15-inch rear carbon ceramic stoppers are the biggest fitted to any production car. In fact the front rotors were originally created for Ferrari’s Enzo-based FXX racer, while the rears are the same ones used for the Enzo’s fronts.
Hit them really, really hard – like when that tweeting teen runs a red on Fruitville Road – they’ll turn-in a staggering 1.2g of deceleration, and in the process detach retinas!
Yet unlike most other carbon-ceramic brakes, the Corvette’s anchors don’t squeal like a piglet when cold, or grab under light pedal pressure. They’re nothing less than stupefyingly awesome. Which pretty much describes everything else about this Detroit superhero.
In case you haven’t read the ZR1’s spec sheet, power comes from a hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged LS9 V-8 with a four-lobe Roots-type Eaton blower. A forged crank, dry-sump oiling, titanium valves and aluminum-silicon heads are also part of the deal. If this thing were any more exotic it would dance around a pole!
What it serves up is a massive 638 horsepower and a stump-pulling 604 pound-feet of twist. And with almost 550 lb-ft of that summoned-up from a mere 2,600 rpm, the thing pulls like an Amtrak in pretty much any gear, from any speed.
Now stand back and eyeball the lines of this masterpiece of machismo. You certainly can’t miss the black carbon fiber roof panel and roof bow clear-coated with a special $60,000-a-gallon additive to stop sunlight from yellowing the carbon weave. Or the slightly cheesy clear polycarbonate “window” on the hood showing off the LS9’s intercooler. Or the carbon-fiber chin spoiler that we guarantee will last less than a day if there’s a speed bump anywhere on your drive home.
But it’s all detail stuff. For us, it’s just a pity that the Corvette team didn’t give the ZR1 more substantial styling changes to really define it as the halo model it is. Maybe a more dramatic front end and less chopped-off rear? After all, it’s only molded composite. Fact is, to the untrained eye, it doesn’t look that much different from base C6 coupe. The original 1990-1995 ZR1 Corvette powered by the four-cam LT5 engine suffered from the same lack of really distinctive styling.
Climb aboard and the cockpit also has the familiar look and feel of lesser ’Vettes. But on the ZR1 the optional stitched leather trim is standard, and it looks great. But if you’re spending $108k it’s worth ponying-up an extra $10,000 for the 3ZR pack that includes the gorgeous leather-wrapped dash, along with Bose sound and navigation.
Even driving our miserable, arrow-straight Florida highways and by-ways, the ZR1 is
one righteous ride.
From the instant-on responsiveness of its supercharged motor (133-hp up on the Z06’s 505-hp), to the laser precision of its new variable-ratio steering, to the suppleness of its magnetic-controlled ride, the ZR1 is just a fabulous road car. Best of all, it delivers the same performance as a Ferrari’s superb 599 GTB, including mid-11-second quarter-mile assaults, at approximately one-third the cost!
And it’s truly a joy to drive, thanks to its lighter, smoother, more precise gearshift changes and lighter, more progressive clutch. And despite having 20-inch Michelins that have all the thickness of rubber bands, the ZR1 soaks up lumps and bumps like Mr. Brawny soaks up water.
And there’s no need for any fancy sound system; just power down the windows and listen to the full aural Banshee wail of that Eaton blower as it spools up, coupled with the sweet, spine-tingling roar of the adaptive exhaust as it flicks opens its valves at 3,000 rpm. Pavarotti in his prime never sounded
this vocal!
Now that it’s been on sale for over a year, new ZR1s are pretty much going for their $107,830 list, though most on offer seem to be that higher-spec $117,830 3ZR package. But whatever the sticker, this could well be the best performance bargain in decades.
For more information about 2010 Corvettes, please visit http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette/