Chevrolet Corvette C7 has not yet reached the peak of glory. The American sports car will debut in the spring as the ZR1 and ZR1 Convertible. Chevrolet introduced a two-seat model with 766 hp. at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Chassis #1 auctioned for $925,000.
The Corvette enters 2018 with a mid-engined concept. Until then, however, Chevrolet will properly part ways with the 766-horsepower Corvette ZR1 coupe and convertible. Both versions of the Chevrolet superstar are on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In the USA, they could be ordered in December 2017, and in the spring the first cars went to their American customers. Now you can get the car of your dreams. At the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale on Friday (January 19, 2018), a Corvette ZR1 with chassis number VIN 001 sold for a good price. While the list price coupe is around $120,000, Chassis #1 fetched an enviable $925,000.
Supercharged V8 with 766 hp
GM patented the ZR1 acronym back in May. Generations C3, C4 and C6 of the then powerful Corvette with the initials ZR-1. Harlan Charl, Corvette product manager, said the dash was omitted for weight reasons — a joke. In fact, we are talking about unification — Z06 is also written without a hyphen. It provides the basis for a powerful new model. At the heart of the new Corvette ZR1 is the new supercharged LT5 V8 engine. It produces 766 hp. and delivers a maximum torque of an incredible 969 Nm. The Corvette Z06’s power jump over the LT4 is mostly down to optimized injection and an improved air-cooling system that requires more space, so a huge gray Powerdome sits on top of the engine cover. If you open the hood, you can see that the middle part is attached to the V8 and there is a corresponding opening on the hood.
Along with a seven-speed manual transmission, the new ZR1 is available for the first time with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ZR1 Convertible can open and close the soft top fully automatically at speeds up to 50 km/h.
Of course, the new car weighs 1,598 kilograms empty, while the convertible weighs 27 kilograms more. The ZR1 is also fast, faster than any other Corvette. The sprint from zero to 98 km/h is completed in 3.0 seconds. In addition, the ZR1 coupe can reach speeds of 342 km/h, while the convertible can reach just over 320 km/h.
The fairings on the ZR1 have been changed. At the front are significantly larger cooling air intakes to accommodate the V8’s increased cooling air requirements, and a total of 13 intercoolers. The front spoiler is also new. Ventilation of the engine compartment is provided by a heavily perforated carbon fiber hood. At the stern there is a huge carbon fiber spoiler, which is available in two versions. The base version has 70% more downforce than the Z06 and is designed for fast cars. For track use, the ZR1 has a larger two-stage adjustable spoiler designed to increase downforce by 60%. In addition, at a maximum speed of 450 kilograms, the Corvette is pressed to the asphalt. There are also new front splitters, Michelin-Cup2 tires and a new electronically adjustable suspension.
Overalls for Super-Corvette
The braking system is based on carbon-ceramic discs, along with six-piston brake calipers at the front and four-piston brakes at the rear. The 19-inch front wheels roll with 285/30 tires, while the rear wheels are 20-inch with 335/25 roller tires.
Also new for the ZR1 is an exclusive silver-orange paint job that pairs with a host of other orange components. The interior of the Corvette ZR1 is adorned with nappa leather upholstery and an abundance of Alcantara. Options include ventilated and heated sports seats, a carbon-fiber steering wheel, a data logging tool, and a Bose music system.
The new Corvette ZR1 is expected to go on sale in the US in spring 2018. The ZR1 starts at $119,995 as a coupe and $123,995 as a convertible. Tax is added to both prices. The Z06 is available in the US for $80,000.
The Corvette ZR1 celebrated its pre-premiere in front of a small circle ahead of the Dubai Auto Show, and on the big stage the ZR1 made its way to the Los Angeles Auto Show.