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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
...so says Chevrolet. :)

Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager, is calling out the best of the exotics!

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2007/12/the_2009_corvet.html

"...The Corvette has always been a performance and technology leader, from the fuel-injected racers pioneered by the likes of Zora Arkus-Duntov and the ground-shaking L88 big-blocks of the late 1960s, to the first ZR-1 supercar that was introduced in 1990 and the track-dominating C5R and C6R racecars. The new ZR1 is the culmination of that legacy, delivering an uncompromising balance of performance and driving comfort that exotics costing two, three or four times as much, cannot match.

The technical information on the ZR1 that was released yesterday has already spawned the inevitable “pushrod versus overhead-cam” debate, with preconceived notions continually perpetuated about the perceived technical sophistication of a cam-in-block design. Our Powertrain team’s testing shows the LS9 makes about 300 horsepower by only 3,300 rpm and a significant 320 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1,000 rpm. The engine’s rev range is competitive with many overhead-cam engines, but we’ve also got usable torque at every notch on the tachometer. It’s a also a compact, relatively low-mass package, which helps the ZR1 achieve a better power-to-weight ratio than the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599 and the Lamborghini LP640.

At Chevrolet, we couldn’t be prouder about the ZR1; it is a world-beating supercar from America that makes no apologies. And to those who question its capabilities or technical supremacy, I have only two words: Bring it."


I love that last line. :D
 

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I think there are already numbers posted from the Nurburgring race course for the GT-R.

From Edmunds if you can believe them:
After several hot laps, our spy shooters reported hand-timed numbers in the 7:38 range. That would make the GT-R roughly 2 seconds faster than the latest 911 Turbo, which has a widely reported unofficial time of 7:40.
GT-R Video:

I'm looking for the latest Z06 number to compare. Jan Magnussen with a 505hp Z06 @ 7:42 is the best I could find so far. A ZR1 will have at least 100 more HP and I'm sure better handling. I bet the ZR1 Corvette will be able to cut off quite a bit of time.

GM needs to send out a team to go knock off an official time better than 7:38. It's going to be bragging time when it happens. :patriot:
 

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yea but for over 100K compared to 70K and a back seat in the GTR???

You can call it ugly and yes it is.. but it flat out kicks ass in every department over the vette...for 30K more the vette better be the bang for the buck and prove it in morethan just .00 seconds but 1.0 seconds....cus 70 grand gets you alot of that bang for the buck..alot..and moving up to a 100K vette for what??

Thats what the Z06 built its name on with the C6 and the ZR1 is the King of the Hill..well thats one heck of a mountain on the horizon its not going to climb if the GTR's numbers are true..both in price and performance..
 

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The GT-R test cars I've seen videos of have been right hand drive so far. I don't know if they even meet US standards yet. That might bring some weight and a decrease in performance. We'll have to wait and see.

I don't think the ZR-1 is worth $100k, but in the same breath the GT-R isn't worth $70k. It's what marketing has predicted zealots will pay for each car. Chevy can confidently predict that their car will bring $X and sell everyone of them at a premium. Just that is a kick in the nuts for Nissan. Vettes and Porsches will sell at a premium regardless of performance.

GT-Rs have been out of the loop for a while. Corvettes have a winning heritage and a recent one at that. People still like winners. By the time you take the name Corvette and it is on a race prepped car it's in it to win it. Why doesn't GM make an AWD Corvette? They don't need to. If someone starts beating them regularly then something might change. The current recipe still gets it done.
 

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If GM could build and sell a 500hp $50k-$60k four seater with AWD and with a little better looks than the GT-R I wouldn't be B!tching either.

If GM could get something in the pipe line with 300hp and AWD the aftermarket guys would take care of the rest. It would be another kick in the nuts of the import guys if GM starts kicking @ss in the sport compact awd segment. I'd actually like to see GM take the idea seriously.
 

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A few Motor Trends ago there was an issue that had Corvette articles, and one of them had talk about doing AWD and even doing a version of the car that was "mid-engine". They haven't ruled it all out yet.
 

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only thing that scares me is..the Nissan GTR...seriously.. and for less money they say...
automatic,v6 twin cam,AWD,Twin turbo,only can out drag race a Z06.the price is 70k and is targeted towards the 911.the zr-1 is tryin to kill Ferrari.which sadly as beautiful as they sound the 430 scuderia is just now making 500+hp from a very small displacement all motor.4.3litres to be exact.which i also hate to say smaller than a mustang's engine:BangHead:
but the 4.3 is an absolute screamer.by the way the GTR did kick the old 80's vette's ass back in the day:lol:
 

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by the way the GTR did kick the old 80's vette's ass back in the day:lol:
What race course or race series was that in?

The GT-R R32 first came out in 1989. The GT-R was a factory race car with some models sold (560 Nismo editions in 1990 because they got caught breaking the rules) to validate it's use in the JAPanese A class touring car series. The other cars were listed as 'standard' cars from Nissan since they didn't meet the requirements for homologation. Nissan release updated versions in V spec. V spec II, and N1 race version in later model years.


At the same time (1989) Corvette just released the ZR-1.


Fort Stockton, Texas, 3/1/90
INTERNATIONAL RECORDS

Corvette ZR-1 stock engine

100 Miles @ 175.600 MPH

500 Miles @ 175.503 MPH

1000 Miles @ 174.428 MPH

5000 KM @ 175.710 MPH

5000 Miles @ 173.791 MPH

12 Hours Endurance @ 175.523 MPH

24 Hours Endurance @ 175.885 MPH for 4,221.256 Miles


WORLD RECORDS - IRRESPECTIVE of CATEGORY or CLASS

5000 KM @ 175.710 MPH

5000 Miles @ 173.791 MPH

4,221.256 Miles @ 175.885 MPH


Now this doesn't look like the GT-R was kicking much 1980s Corvette @ss to me. The GT-R has some decent wins in the books. The very few top of the line 'production models' were mostly sold to race teams and tuner shops. That was like throwing in a ringer (labeled as a production car) for all the magazine test guys. The GT-R teams have also been scrutinized for less than sportsman like conduct. (cheating). Sanctioning bodies levied minimum restrictions in weight (Nissan built strippers with no options or SAFETY equipment to reduce weight) and pop off valves to reduce turbo pressure. The GT-Rs weren't as dominant once the field was leveled and the GT-R racing program was dropped. I guess it was fun only when they were winning.

Sorry if I take too much wind out of the GT-R's sails. I think it's important keeping in check the fact and fiction about legendary:rolleyes: GT-R performance. They were fast, especially if they were factory strippers and running higher than standard turbo pressure when tested or on the race course.
 

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That's pretty much everything I gathered from the GT-R as well. The GT-R was petty much what the ZL-1 Camaro was, a factory prepped race car or what the Porsche GT-4's are today. Now this iterration is a little different as it seems to be a full scale production car but if you take into account what the GT-R was it wasn't that spectacular against similar prepped cars. I remember the last magazine test drive of the R34 GT-R they made mention of the fact that it was a factory prepped race car in road trim and was leagues above what a General R34 was.
 

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With all that I've read on the ZR-1, I believe this car is in a league with the top exotics.IMO. It has a feature story in this weeks Auto Week.
I won't bash any brands because this car will do all the talking for itself.
I love what GM said, bring it!
 
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