Corvette upgrades ZR1 power estimate
Author: Chris Barker
Published: 30 April 2008
The Corvette ZR1 will be unwrapped by UK car buyers at the tail end of 2008, but for those itching to get their increasingly-hairy palmed hands on the ultimate automotive Christmas present, here's a little teaser.And it's to do with the power supply. Or to be more precise – the rather conservative early estimates that were bandied around. Yup – that means the highly-anticipated 'Vette will have more poke per pound than first intimated.At the risk of readers having to don a bib to stiffle the drool, we can now tell potential UK buyers that the ZR1 will harness 638 horses of power. And develop 604 lb-ft of torque. Gulp.Top speed is now an exacting mathematical equation that is equal to 205mph. Which, as a sentence, makes about as much sense as iterating a post-200mph top whack in Britain today.Introduced at the North American International Auto Show which pitched up in Detroit earlier this year, the 2009 Corvette ZR1 was initially thought to pin down 100bhp for each of its 6.2-litres of displacement.However, in the aftermath of a fun recent recount, General Motors discovered it was a little out. Renewed appraisals of the V8 has certified that its actual output is something nearer 103bhp per litre.What is for sure is that the Corvette ZR1 houses the most potent production power plant ever manufactured by GM.
Heavy-duty components have been brought in to augment the ZR1, to ensure it has a long and prosperous lifespan. A no-nonsense (race-hardened gear linkage and dual-disc) six-speed manual transmission keep order beneath the bonnet – which has a polycarbonate window so you can see the defendant in your very own future manslaughter case – whilst strengthened axle components avoid unnecessary human spillage."One of the most amazing things about the Corvette ZR1 is the level of refinement that our designers and engineers have attained. Even with all that power, this car has road manners that will allow our customers to enjoy it on the streets as a daily driver, and on the track," said Chevrolet’s (Owned by GM) US General Manager, Ed Peper.Of course - by way of a little appeasement to fuel/environment lobby - the 'Vette will also be the most fuel-efficient car in its 600bhp plus class. But that's like saying Columbia has the lowest CO2 emissions of all the Space Shuttles. Needless to say the actual mpg figure is conspicuous by its absence as yet. As is price.
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