New Corvette ZR1 - So that's what I saw

I live and work near the GM proving grounds in Milford, MI so I'm used to seeing camouflaged prototypes and other weird stuff. Z/28 Camaros and ZO6s are a common sight but the widebody Corvette test mule that looked like it had stolen it's aero package from a GTLM racecar definitely stood out.  Vettes are so common around here that seeing one usually isn't in any way special but this one had an imposing presence, even in its cobbled together flat-black prototype state.  Now I know what it was.

Cool.

Meh. I've driven the Z06/Z07. You know what it didn't need? More horsepower. Here's hoping they figure out a way to put the power down and reliably make that horsepower, because they couldn't at 650hp

In reply to NickD :

Supposedly it is engineered to have more friendly handling than the Z06 (according to one of the main Corvette engineers.)  It is also engineered to shoot flames from the exhaust.  That plus a targa roof and the reveal in Dubai gives away who they think will want the car and I don't think that target market will be too concerned about how much hp they "need."

I've done 18 trackdays this year and I'm just getting to be competent at 100hp.

I love excess but I drove a base C7 (455hp) and I couldn't see a use for it on the street.

In reply to NickD :

I don't know if they've figured out a way to put the power down or not, but it looks like they've done a lot to 'reliably make that horsepower'. It's got a larger supercharger that should reduce charge temps, bigger coolers, and a front bumper that's basically not even there it's got so many openings for airflow.

I think my money would still go towards the Grand Sport over either of the higher end Vettes, but YMMV.

That thing looks incredible and the power level is simply amazing. I'm not going to "meh" a genuine American supercar.

In reply to STM317 :

Yeah, I drove regular Stingray Z51s quite a few times and love them (especially with the 8-speed auto). They make just enough power that they are fun to horse around on the street but not so much that they blow the tires off or instantly get you in trouble. I drove a Z07 and you'd get around half throttle and it would either spin or instantly send you into "Lose your license" territory. It just didn't feel $50k/200hp more enjoyable to me. And then watching the reviews, the Z06/Z07 got crushed quite a few times. Up against the heavier, less-powerful GT-R that it beat in every metric, it lost in overall lap times because it couldn't put the power down. At Best Driver's Car it broke. Against the new Viper, it was described as feeling "unfinished and uncontrollable". Certainly not the world beater that the C6 Z06 was.

I think it's cool, and I'd 100% drive one if I found $120k in the couch. The car NEEDS more front tire though, if what I'm reading is true, it has 285's in front. 

I'd drive it. I love seeing what GM can do when they unshackle the engineers.

Is AWD totally unimaginable on these packageing (word?) wise? 

In reply to 759NRNG :

Yes. In my C4 the crankshaft is about at the front axle centerline, and back from it a few inches. I can't imaging it's any more feasible on the C7. 

In reply to Pete Gossett :

Maybe they could do what Ferrari did on the FF, and have a small second gearbox driven off the front of the crank? It would only need to be engaged through the first few gears as a traction aid.

Or, they could take the currently en-vogue idea of hybridization, and just run electric motors in each front wheel. Obviously that involves weight gain, increased cooling needs, etc. But the brakes could be downsized a bit thanks to regenerative braking.

Or they could make taming the beast part of the fun. High power RWD cars are a riot.

Keith Tanner said:

Or they could make taming the beast part of the fun. High power RWD cars are a riot.

Agreed.  Don’t give me 750hp then make me have a nanny.

berkeley.

I ain't scared. I ain't that smart, either.

Keith Tanner said:

I'd drive it. I love seeing what GM can do when they unshackle the engineers.

This^^^

I think we are getting soft around here. People complaining about to much power?  Really???

The fix from GM for the Corvette horsepower issue is a mid-engine car, actually really truly coming soon this time.  

pinchvalve said:

The fix from GM for the Corvette horsepower issue is a mid-engine car, actually really truly coming soon this time.  

New Ford GT is due out this coming year too? It would be nice to see GM and Ford both having a mid-engined supercar in their corrals

pinchvalve said:

The fix from GM for the Corvette horsepower issue is a mid-engine car, actually really truly coming soon this time.  

I've spent the last Two years trying to get mine to look like that,and under Challenge Budget, Hopefully I will Finish Mine First, Lol.     The looks are close It's the Budget that's Got Me.

I like the sound of what they did to make the car and the extra heat exchangers might improve the track endurance compared to the Z06.

Visually, I don't like it.  I get that the vents, etc. are functional, but it doesn't have a cohesive, clean look.  To me it looks like a car put together with a collection of unrelated ugly aftermarket bits.  Adding more holes and wings to improve performance and looks can be a difficult thing (particularly when you have 3 higher performance variants of the same performance car), but it can be done.  I think the La Ferrari is an okay looking car, but the FXX K is stunning.

Yes , but is looking out the passenger window while moving 'forward' the answer (750rwdhp)? Shoot, gettin' squirrely in the 'V' out the driveway is kinda a BLAST.....I digress 

GTXVette said:

pinchvalve said:

The fix from GM for the Corvette horsepower issue is a mid-engine car, actually really truly coming soon this time.  

I've spent the last Two years trying to get mine to look like that,and under Challenge Budget, Hopefully I will Finish Mine First, Lol.     The looks are close It's the Budget that's Got Me.

That looks easy. A couple bed sheets some black spray paint and duct tape. 

Snrub said:

Visually, I don't like it.  I get that the vents, etc. are functional, but it doesn't have a cohesive, clean look.  To me it looks like a car put together with a collection of unrelated ugly aftermarket bits.  Adding more holes and wings to improve performance and looks can be a difficult thing (particularly when you have 3 higher performance variants of the same performance car), but it can be done.  I think the La Ferrari is an okay looking car, but the FXX K is stunning.

Sadly this is my issue with the new vette. In some colours it looks more kitcar than production. The yellow is particularly hideous as it shows every vent, crease, bump, and bulge to it's most ungainly proportion

In reply to dean1484 :

Daym now that's Funny right there.