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Racy, improved ZR-1 should turn heads at NAIAS
By Randy Conat
MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (12/20/07)--For many people, the Chevrolet Corvette is the prefect sports car. But the good folks at Chevy couldn't leave well enough alone. They've made some improvements for 2009.
It still looks like a 'Vette, but subtle changes have made it faster, stronger and better. Chevy calls it the ZR-1.
"This is incredible luxury refined, but an incredibly fast, super-premium sports car," said General Motors Corp.'s Tom Wallace. "Frankly, we're ready to take on anybody in the world."
Those are big words. Can the Corvette people back them up?
"I'll be happy to compare it against a Porsche Carrera GT anywhere, any time," Wallace said.
Under the hood with a clear bubble, you'll find a newly designed 6.2-liter supercharged engine.
"This will be a higher performer than the current Z-06," Wallace said.
GM says when it arrives next summer, the 2009 ZR-1 will be the most powerful and fastest production car it ever produced. The top end will take you down I-75 at a brisk clip.
"It's well over 200 mph," Wallace said.
Sports cars tend to have a harsh ride. Chevy says not so in the ZR-1.
"You can drive this car all day long for bread and milk, drive it to work, daily drives," Wallace said.
"But then if you want to take it to a track on the weekend, put your helmet on and go incredibly fast around curves in straight lines, it stops good. It's an exciting rush most people can't believe when they're in it."
You'll find carbon fiber in the roof and the front end splitter. It has 19-inch wheels up front and 20s in the rear. The price of the special edition 'Vette hasn't been released yet, but they'll be hard to find.
"We're going to build 2,000 or fewer per year," Wallace said.
Look for the 2009 ZR-1 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
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781 days ago by
Steve
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