As the promise of spring is one of the main things
on our minds here during February at West
Chevy, we begin to think about just how much fun can be had on an open
track or winding road when you are driving a car offering the ultimate in
performance. The Corvette
is, by all means, the all-American supercar, cranking out 755 horsepower and
715 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Named Motor
Authority's “Best car to buy for 2019,” and for the first time in
history, there is a convertible model for the ZR1.
Brandishing performance specs like a 0-to-60 mph
sprint of just 2.85 seconds, a quarter-mile run at 10.6 seconds, and a top
speed of 212 mph, this is a car that is undeniably fast as hell, and it
destroyed the Ford GT's lap record at Virginia International Raceway's Grand
Course West during 2018 with a time of 2:37.25. Motor Authority ran
a cool blog story this past week featuring 10 things you need to know about
this awesome new car, and they really hit the nail on the head with some of the
qualities and characteristics of this work of mastery.
Look at that Supercharger: Definitely no joke; once you find yourself inside the ZR1, you'll find
yourself in awe of the supercharger. It has 52 percent more displacement than
the LT4 supercharger found in the Z06, and it's tall enough to always be
situated in your sight line. It's definitely one of those traits that reminds
you exactly what you are driving, and how much power you have the ability to
tap into.
There's a hole in the hood: There really is an actual hole in the hood, which is necessary because
the massive supercharger is so tall that it does not have the ability to clear
the hood line. Instead of raising the entire hood line the design team on duty
just created a new hole. You can pop the hood and show off for your buddies,
and it's just a cool additive overall to the mix.
Good Lord it's loud: There is most definitely loud, and then ZR1 loud: during its
development on the Nurburgring track this spy video showed that it needed to be
equipped with extra piping to quiet it down as it broke the 100 db noise
threshold. In second gear at a racetrack, it was brain-jarring, even with a
helmet.
It Tramlines: The very
wide, sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that are included in the ZTK
Track Performance Package are known for following every crack, ding, and seam
in existence on the road. The setup with 285 mm tires up front on the narrower
side make handling of the ZR1 much better than what you experience in the
current Ford Mustang.
Those Carbon seats and steering wheel: once you get inside, the steering wheel and seats are absolutely
fantastic. The flat-bottom wheel features real carbon fiber, and suede at 9 and
3 where the driver's hands are placed. Some enthusiasts think that carbon fiber
can be not quite the right fit, but for the ZR1 it works perfectly.
Wing for Days: Every
single 2019 Corvette ZR1 has a rear wing, and a shorter wing is instrumental in
producing less drag for higher top-speeds. When you opt for the ZTK Track
Performance Package, you get cup 2 tires and performance suspension, and a
stanchion-mounted adjustable carbon fiber wing. Adding quite a bit of
aggressive character, it really tops off the appearance of a car that already
simply has so much going for it in the all-important visual appeal department.
A bit of Ferrari: When they saw some of the earlier spy shots of the ZR1, many realized
that the wheels are a bit like what you see on a Ferrari: you catch a bit of
F40 or F50 vibe, as a glance provides some of the same feel that you'd see on
the renowned Italian masterpieces. The Ferrari is truly a car that is coveted
among many, and one that has one of the most distinct presences out there.
Stable, inspires confidence: you may be in high gear on the freeway or blasting happily through a
straight section of track, but either way, you'll still appreciate the
stability of the ZR1. The grip and steering really build driver confidence, and
pushing the car to its limits offers a thrill like none other.
SO, So fast: the
writers on staff at Motor Authority righteously claim that “it's
hard to convey in words just how fast the C7 ZR1 is.” The feeling you get at
about 105 mph when the supercharged V8 is hurtling forward is pretty special,
and the power “seems to come from a never-ending well.” Raw power such as this
was the reason why cars like 'Vettes were born in the first place, and always
offers up heart-pumping excitement during every single drive.
It's a bargain: The truth
of the matter is that the ZR1 completely tears apart cars that cost more than
$400,000, and it can keep up with anything that costs above the million dollar
mark. You really do get all that your heart desires with the Corvette,
which has long been a symbol of the ultimate sense of freedom, fulfillment, and
staunch track-laden frenzy!
