Coming this January to the Detroit Auto Show, GM will be unveiling the new ZR1 Corvette. Not only will this Vette be the most powerful ever produced, but also one of the quickest production cars available today. GM has said the final tuning is not complete, but to expect at least 100hp per liter giving this powerhouse at least 620hp.



The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is not just a pumped up Z06. Starting with the Z06's aluminum and magnesium frame, the ZR1 has been thoroughly re-engineered. For its skin, the ZR1 sports extensive use of carbon fiber in the front splitter, hood, fenders and roof, achieving exception weight savings and low center of gravity. The splitter and roof panel are unpainted carbon fiber, exposing its weave pattern. One of the problems with using unpainted carbon fiber for bodywork is that the resin oxidizes over time, often turning yellow and even cracking. To overcome this, GM engineers developed an additive for the clear coat that could be applied over the carbon fiber to preserve it. The ZR1 is the first car ever to have a carbon fiber clear coat that will last the life of the car. The chemical additive costs $60,000 a gallon and the clear coat with the additive mixed in comes to $2,000 a gallon.

The ZR1's LS9 engine gets a drop in displacement from the current ZO6's 7.0L engine back to the 6.2L of the current base Corvette. However, the new LS9 engine adds an Eaton supercharger nestled in the valley of the block with an air-to-liquid inter-cooler sitting on top. Backed by a Tremec 6060 6-speed manual transmission, this combination should be good for something in between 620hp and 650hp. Power is put to the ground with Michelin Pilot Sport 285/30ZR19s in front with the rear getting 335/25ZR20s.

As wonderful as the suspension on the ZO6 is, owners complained that it's a little too stiff and often difficult to smooth out at low speeds. The ZR1 actually has softer springs than the Z06 but uses the same magneto-rheological dampers as the Ferrari 599. The fluid in these units is filled with iron particles and by varying an electric current, can instantly change the viscosity. Sensors in the car take measurements every 0.001 seconds and adjust the dampers every 0.002 seconds. Hadling and grip should exceed the Z06 on the track while being much more comfortable on the street.

Sporting some of the biggest brakes around, the ZR1 gets carbon ceramic 15" rotors in the rear and 15.5" in front. That's a half-inch larger than an Enzo Ferrari. The brake linings are squeezed around the rotors by bright blue Brembo 6-piston calipers in front and 4-piston units in back.

Priced at about $100,000, the new Corvette ZR1 should post 0-60 times in the mid-to-low 3-second range and a top speed of over 200 mph.