Official performance figures and pricing for Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

[HeilSvenska]

World's most efficient 600hp supercar...

CHEVROLET ANNOUCES CERTIFIED POWER RATINGS FOR THE NEW CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1: 638 HP FROM THE SUPERCHARGED LS9 V-8 PONTIAC, Mich. – When it was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's power was estimated at 100 horsepower for each of its 6.2 liters of displacement. GM Powertrain has completed SAE certification of the ZR1's supercharged LS9 V-8 and the results exceed the estimate: 638 horsepower (476 kW) and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm). The LS9's output is nearly 103 horses per liter, or just about 1.7 horses for each of the engine's 376 cubic inches. It is unquestionably the most powerful automotive production engine ever manufactured by General Motors and enables the Corvette ZR1 to achieve a top speed of more than 200 mph (322 km/h). "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 General Manager Ed Peper. The Corvette ZR1 goes on sale this summer. Its 638-hp supercharged engine is complemented in the chassis by heavy-duty components not offered in any other model, including a six-speed manual transmission with race-hardened gears and dual-disc clutch technology that delivers exceptional clamping power and lower inertia, as well as strengthened axle components. Fuel economy testing has not been completed, but engineers are confident the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus-horsepower car on the market. The LS9 engine is hand-built by specially trained technicians at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich. It is a unique, small-volume engine production facility that also builds the Chevrolet Corvette Z06's LS7 engine and other high-performance GM production engines. "Developing the LS9 involved more than simply striving for a great horsepower number. Endurance and reliability testing have shown the engine to be robust and low-maintenance, just like other engines in the small-block family," said Sam Winegarden, executive director, engine engineering for GM Powertrain. "That it is distinguished as the most powerful engine ever from General Motors is a source of immense pride among everyone involved with the LS9." Supercharged aspiration The key enabler of the LS9's performance is the industry's first production application of a new, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger that has a unique four-lobe rotor design. Its design promotes quieter and more efficient performance, while the large, 2.3-liter displacement ensures adequate air volume at high rpm. Maximum boost pressure is 10.5 psi (0.72 bar). It is teamed with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance. "The combination of large displacement and the new, four-rotor design broadens the effective range of the supercharger, allowing the engine to make more power at lower rpm and sustain it throughout the power band," said Winegarden. "The low-end torque is tremendous and the high-rpm charge from the supercharger is simply amazing." A raised hood provides adequate clearance for the LS9, while a polycarbonate window in the hood provides a view of the engine beneath it. LS9 details The LS9 features many unique design and manufacturing details that support its high-performance nature. They include: -Aluminum cylinder block with iron cylinder liners that are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed -Forged steel crankshaft with a nine-bolt flange -Titanium connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons -Stronger, rotocast cylinder heads with 2.16-inch (55 mm) titanium intake valves and 1.59-inch (40.4 mm) hollow-stem, sodium-filled exhaust valves -Camshaft with 0.555-inch (14.1 mm) lift for excellent idle and low-speed driving qualities -A dry-sump oiling system with 10.5-quart (9.9 liters) capacity -Integrated oil cooler and piston-cooling oil squirters -Intercooler cover visible through the hood window that features ZR1-unique blue accents and "LS9 SUPERCHARGED" embossed on the left and right sides Specifications LS9 6.2L SUPERCHARGED V-8 Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162 Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92 Block material: cast aluminum Cylinder head material: A356-T6 rotocast aluminum Valvetrain: overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel delivery: SFI (sequential fuel injection) Compression ratio: 9.1:1 Horsepower / kW: 638 / 476 @ 6500 rpm Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 604 / 819 @ 3800 rpm Fuel shut-off (rpm): 6600 Recommended fuel: premium required Exhaust manifolds: stainless steel Main bearing caps: forged steel Crankshaft: forged steel Camshaft: hollow steel; 0.555-in (14.1 mm) lift Connecting rods: forged titanium Valves: intake: titanium exhaust: hollow steel Valve lifters: hydraulic roller Supercharger: R2300, four-lobe "Roots" type (2.3L) Additional features: piston oil-spray cooling; direct-mount ignition coils; 11-rib accessory drive

[RC45]

Can't wait for the GM parts bin to begin stocking those odds and ends.

There might be a supercharger in CamZilla's future after all - hmmm... 638bhp from a mild 6.2.... wonder what one could coax out of wild 7.0

[HeilSvenska]

Originally Posted by RC45 There might be a supercharger in CamZilla's future after all - hmmm... 638bhp from a mild 6.2.... wonder what one could coax out of wild 7.0

There's only one way to find out.

[nthfinity]

what they wont admit:

the LS9 is cheaper to build then the LS7

[RC45]

Originally Posted by nthfinity what they wont admit: the LS9 is cheaper to build then the LS7

Probably not by much - the parts list is pretty much the same - maybe the labour is cheaper, but that's no surprise, quality control at Wixom is pretty poor - how else would you explain away the crap crate LS7's they shipped with spun bearings and the like.

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by RC45 Probably not by much - the parts list is pretty much the same - maybe the labour is cheaper, but that's no surprise, quality control at Wixom is pretty poor - how else would you explain away the crap crate LS7's they shipped with spun bearings and the like.

its not just the parts.... the block is substantially cheaper to make as well...

quality control seems to have seeped substantially into non-crate engines as well... particularly high R1000's for 2008 MY Z06's.

[RC45]

Some new tidbits from n attendee o fthe Corvette Bash at Bowlinggreen recently.



Now that you see ceramic brakes on such a "cheap" car as a no cost extra, one has to wonder how much longer other manufactures are going to continue to rip their customers off

BTW, looking at that torque curve, you can see why the most popular power mod for Corvettes over th last 10 years has been the supercharger - there must be alt least 10,000 C5's and C6's running around the USA with the same or more power than the new ZR1.

You do however get a factory warranty with the ZR1 - I think the biggest pity will be most of these cars are going to be "collected' and very few will be driven.

[pitfield]

2 vales per cylinder, pif paf.

Basic stuff.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by pitfield 2 vales per cylinder, pif paf. Basic stuff.

yet the car will still crush any stock car you care to roll up in that costs less than 200 thousand quid.

So - please elaborate your point?

[graywolf624]

yet the car will still crush any stock car you care to roll up in that costs less than 200 thousand quid. So - please elaborate your point?

But... he can still point and say haha at the leaf springs and valves after he loses... oh wait..

[5vz-fe]

^You've forgot about the interior gray LOL!!

[gigdy]

Originally Posted by RC45 Can't wait for the GM parts bin to begin stocking those odds and ends. There might be a supercharger in CamZilla's future after all - hmmm... 638bhp from a mild 6.2.... wonder what one could coax out of wild 7.0

Instant smoke filled death.

[HeilSvenska]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe ^You've forgot about the interior gray LOL!!

Correction. Gray leather interior.

[pagani]

Originally Posted by HeilSvenska Correction. Gray leather interior.

Good starting point for weight saving.

[HeilSvenska]

Originally Posted by pagani Good starting point for weight saving.

That wasn't the point of this car. 3350 isn't too bad anyways. Although I want GM to make a lightweight Grand Sport version of the C6.