ZR1 performance numbers announced

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$103,300 MSRP (including $850 destination charge)
EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14 city and 20 highway
0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds
0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds
Quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph

I'm still waiting for the Nurburgring times, GM.

Those straight-line numbers are all fine and dandy, but who dumps $100K just to have a straight-line racer? You could do those numbers with a modded C5 or F-body, or Mustang for a A LOT less.

What happened to all the stories about the ZR1 going for laps around the 'ring with a helicopter overhead, and all the testing and pictures we seen of the ZR1 making passes, and that the ZR1 was going to be able to beat any production car at the racetrack. How come we don't hear about the times of those nurburgring passes? :think: It seems as though GM would want to answer Nissan and try to get back some of the thunder that the GTR stole from the ZR1. What happened to all the ZR1 hype?

EDIT: Ooohhh....there's the hype now that I actually read the damn article."There's simply no other vehicle in the world that does a better job of balancing performance, price and fuel economy." according to Ed Peper. Hmm...so now the ZR1 goes from "being able to beat every production car on the racetrack" to something along the lines of "well, with all things considered...it does get pretty good gas mileage, and the performance is in balance".

The announcement article further tones down the hype with "It is performance that is equal to or better than many super cars costing substantially more." Isn't that the same story as the Z06?

Blah...I'd rather get the Z06, than dumping all that extra dough into the ZR1.

does anybody remember what GM's "official" times were for the Z06?

Remember how the ZR-1 usually sold for double the cost of a standard Corvette? Well, now the ZR1 officially does.

I am going to take those numbers with a grain of salt. Stock someone will get that thing to 10.8 in the quarter.. the Z06 has the ability to do that on DR's. The fuel mileage is the one thing that above all disapoints me. I was expecting.. 24-25 on the highway (dunno why.. but with all the tech under the hood I figured It could happen).

I am tempted to say I'd stick with a Z06 as well.. It is a much more attainable car price wise, and stops amazingly, handles amazingly, and can outrun just about anything and drive on the street as well. I'll wait for the "official" I mean what people get out of it numbers though.. Won't be buying it or probably ever getting to drive it anyway :(

Hrrmmm..there is a guy at the local track here that was running 10.9's with a Z06 on slicks in the early spring. Sounds to me like GM is sandbagging the numbers. The key will be what happens when people play with the blower.

Hrrmmm..there is a guy at the local track here that was running 10.9's with a Z06 on slicks in the early spring. Sounds to me like GM is sandbagging the numbers. The key will be what happens when people play with the blower.

Yep :) Most OEMs will err on the safe side with performance estimates. GM and Mercedes are some of the worse.

Personally, I think that with pulleys and a tune 700hp will be achievable. A cam swap is going to be worth a LOT of power because it is smaller than the Z06's 211/230 and on a VERY wide 122.5 LSA.

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I'm still waiting for the Nurburgring times, GM.

Those straight-line numbers are all fine and dandy, but who dumps $100K just to have a straight-line racer? You could do those numbers with a modded C5 or F-body, or Mustang for a A LOT less.

What happened to all the stories about the ZR1 going for laps around the 'ring with a helicopter overhead, and all the testing and pictures we seen of the ZR1 making passes, and that the ZR1 was going to be able to beat any production car at the racetrack. How come we don't hear about the times of those nurburgring passes? :think: It seems as though GM would want to answer Nissan and try to get back some of the thunder that the GTR stole from the ZR1. What happened to all the ZR1 hype?

EDIT: Ooohhh....there's the hype now that I actually read the damn article."There's simply no other vehicle in the world that does a better job of balancing performance, price and fuel economy." according to Ed Peper. Hmm...so now the ZR1 goes from "being able to beat every production car on the racetrack" to something along the lines of "well, with all things considered...it does get pretty good gas mileage, and the performance is in balance".

The announcement article further tones down the hype with "It is performance that is equal to or better than many super cars costing substantially more." Isn't that the same story as the Z06?

Blah...I'd rather get the Z06, than dumping all that extra dough into the ZR1.

Wow, is it just me or do you sound like an angry, sullen, bitter person?

Cripes, everyone one knows that manufacturer performance numbers are always slower than what a good driver could extract in ideal conditions. GM wants every goofball dentist, doctor and lawyer to be able duplicate their published numbers when they take their ZR1 to the track once every ten years or so.

'ring times don't mean jack anyway.

'ring times don't mean jack anyway.

My thoughts too. Everybody creams all over themselves at 'ring times. Personally, I think the track is so damn big that there are too many opportunities for driver error to screw times up by several seconds or more.

Yep :) Most OEMs will err on the safe side with performance estimates. GM and Mercedes are some of the worse.


Keep in mind that most OEMs are also not abusing the vehicle while obtaining performance numbers (shifts are going to be lift-throttle rather than powershifted, for example), the track surface may not be as well-prepared as your favorite dragstrip, and tire pressures are likely to be what's listed on the door and not what's best for conditions.

That being said, I wish the best of luck to the average driver who tries to replicate that 3.4 second 0-60 MPH time :eek:

My thoughts too. Everybody creams all over themselves at 'ring times. Personally, I think the track is so damn big that there are too many opportunities for driver error to screw times up by several seconds or more.

While the ring isn't the "be all and end all" of performance measures, it does provide an indication of all-around performance. And don't forget that the Z06's 'ring times were touted by Corvette owners as the reason why the Z06 was superior to much more expensive exotics with slower ring times. However, now that the GTR has posted it's ever controversial ring times, we are hearing from the Corvette guys things like "Well, the ring isn't everything", and "Who cares about the ring? We'll see how the car does on the [insert whatever "real-world" racetrack the guy happens to favor]"

I think it's time for GM to answer the GTR's ring time, especially for as much hype as the ZR1 got initially. But GM's silence makes me suspicious, and even moreso now that their hype of the ZR1's performance compared to other cars has quieted significantly from several months ago.

Until the 'Ring becomes a better-regulated place to "test," I'm going to take any and all time quotes with several handfuls of salt. After learning that people use standing starts vs. running starts, start and stop times in different locations, it just isn't very useful as a consistent way to compare production cars.

Add to that the pre-production status of many of the OEM cars tested there, questions about engine tunes, tire choices, suspension modifications, etc., and it's just not a good situation.

While the ring isn't the "be all and end all" of performance measures, it does provide an indication of all-around performance. And don't forget that the Z06's 'ring times were touted by Corvette owners as the reason why the Z06 was superior to much more expensive exotics with slower ring times. However, now that the GTR has posted it's ever controversial ring times, we are hearing from the Corvette guys things like "Well, the ring isn't everything", and "Who cares about the ring? We'll see how the car does on the [insert whatever "real-world" racetrack the guy happens to favor]"

I think it's time for GM to answer the GTR's ring time, especially for as much hype as the ZR1 got initially. But GM's silence makes me suspicious, and even moreso now that their hype of the ZR1's performance compared to other cars has quieted significantly from several months ago.

I think it's time you realize the GTR's numbers are bull****. Have you seen the results at VIR? Or how about the Ford GT versus the GTR in the Superlap? Keep in mind the Ford GT and Z06 are right with each other at the Ring yet the GT beats the GTR by a good second in a small 40 second track.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/06/video-webrides-tv-pits-nissan-gt-r-against-ford-gt-in-super-lap/

GM could learn from Nissan's marketing team... This is a pathetic introduction of their best supercar ever.

GM could learn from Nissan's marketing team... This is a pathetic introduction of their best supercar ever.

GM's marketing team could take lessons from the Girlscouts. I mean, I haven't even seen a Girlscout in person in years, but I could tell you when they sell their cookies and what flavors they have. GM has absolutely zero game in information operations.

GM could learn from Nissan's marketing team... This is a pathetic introduction of their best supercar ever.On the other hand, I'd rather not have half the auto world disgusted with an overhyped, overly anticipated ZR1.

I got sick and tired of all the GT-R b.s. It isn't like the ZR1 won't sell, and it isn't like Corvette is a hidden treasure that needs a halo car to help save it...

I'd rather they underhype and overdeliver (or just deliver) than the other way around. :)

On the other hand, I'd rather not have half the auto world disgusted with an overhyped, overly anticipated ZR1.

I got sick and tired of all the GT-R b.s. It isn't like the ZR1 won't sell, and it isn't like Corvette is a hidden treasure that needs a halo car to help save it...

I'd rather they underhype and overdeliver (or just deliver) than the other way around. :)


Marketing is not about selling your current product. It's about your brand recognition and perception. It's not just about advertising. It's about HOW to advertise.

So that someone who is interested in product Y will buy it from your company, because your product X is so great.

There's a spelling error in the press release. :(

GM's marketing team could take lessons from the Girlscouts. I mean, I haven't even seen a Girlscout in person in years, but I could tell you when they sell their cookies and what flavors they have. GM has absolutely zero game in information operations.
:lol:

GM's marketing team could take lessons from the Girlscouts. I mean, I haven't even seen a Girlscout in person in years, but I could tell you when they sell their cookies and what flavors they have. GM has absolutely zero game in information operations.

Maybe you're just not who they're marketing to?

I know pretty much every relevant spec on the ZR1, but I only know one Girl Scout cookie flavor (Thin Mints) and I have no idea when they're sold.

:shrug:

The key will be what happens when people play with the blower.

Personally, I think that with pulleys and a tune 700hp will be achievable. A cam swap is going to be worth a LOT of power because it is smaller than the Z06's 211/230 and on a VERY wide 122.5 LSA.

I know we all like to wrench on cars here, but a $100K Corvette isn't the type of car that you should need to take to Joe's Speedshop for a kick in the ass. I doubt ZR1 owners are buying the car thinking "With a head and cam swap, I should be in the money!"

I think some of you are severely downplaying the performance numbers of this car. 0-100 in 7 sec, a standing 1/4 mile time of 11.3 at 131 mph and we have already seen the car hit 205 mph. :eek:
I don't know how many here drag race but to run low 11's at over 130 mph while trying to negotiate 638hp through 20" rear low profile PS2's is no easy task.
This thing will walk an already crazy fast Z06 by almost a second just to 100 mph.
Of all the exotics out there many can achieve some awesome top speed numbers but to have the ability to accelerate like this ZR1 can and do it all the way to top speed is nothing short of incredible. And I still think this car is better suited for the road course than the drag strip.
Sure you could build up a F-body or Fox Mustang to run 10's and beat the ZR1 and that's all great but you won't hit 205 mph and don't even try to run those cars at the Ring.
Yea $100k is a steep price but like its true Corvette heritage this car delivers supreme performance even against vehicles costing much more. So unless you have a Ferrari bearing the name of the company's founder or a Bugatti with 2x the cylinders there isn't much else out there capable of beating this car.
I'm sure when the Ring times are made official we'll have something else to debate but we already know GM runs their times from a standing start and uses the car in production trim. The GTR times so far are not worth the ink to print IMO. So even if the ZR1 doesn't better Nissan’s claimed times at the Ring I'd still put money on the Chevy if the two were ever to face off one on one on the same day and track.

I am going to take those numbers with a grain of salt. Stock someone will get that thing to 10.8 in the quarter.. the Z06 has the ability to do that on DR's. The fuel mileage is the one thing that above all disapoints me. I was expecting.. 24-25 on the highway (dunno why.. but with all the tech under the hood I figured It could happen).

I am tempted to say I'd stick with a Z06 as well.. It is a much more attainable car price wise, and stops amazingly, handles amazingly, and can outrun just about anything and drive on the street as well. I'll wait for the "official" I mean what people get out of it numbers though.. Won't be buying it or probably ever getting to drive it anyway :(


The Z06 did the 10.8 on the stock runflats. :death:

And yes, I am very disappointed in GM regarding the ZR1. It is a badass car, but from what was said in the beginning to what is said now...They are just backtracking because they can't get a "Good enough" 'Ring time out of it.

I know we all like to wrench on cars here, but a $100K Corvette isn't the type of car that you should need to take to Joe's Speedshop for a kick in the ass. I doubt ZR1 owners are buying the car thinking "With a head and cam swap, I should be in the money!"He didn't say that. Didn't read to me like he was trying to make an excuse for the car by saying it will really be fast after you mod it. He just said that he thinks a lot more power is possible with just a few small mods (for those who would choose such a path, and judging by the existence of 1000+ hp Lingenfelter and Hennessee cars, there are a few out there).

:shrug:

For those who are let down by these (probably conservative) OEM claims, what are your thoughts on cars like the Ferrari Enzo? Or, hell, even the "base" Ferrari F430 (that is slower than a stock $75k Z06)?

10.xx @ 131+ mph is nothing to sneeze at for a production car. How many cars have run times like that stock? How many have been sold for the relative bargain price of the ZR1?

The Z06 did the 10.8 on the stock runflats. :death:



Unless there is someone else besides Ranger who ran a 10.8x with stock tires.. then this is the best I've seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=469NvIOiz7U

10.85 on Dr's.

The video of stock Z06 on DRs showed the car clocking 129 mph at the end of the 1/4 mile.

Now, the ZR1 will have 638 HP! I'm sure it will clock at least 135 mph, possibly upper 130s... This is definitely low 10's territory. Who knows, maybe a capable driver with DRs will get it into 9s...

Unless there is someone else besides Ranger who ran a 10.8x with stock tires.. then this is the best I've seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=469NvIOiz7U

10.85 on Dr's.

My bad, 10.9 on runflats, 10.8 on DR's. Same dude, same night.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/05/10-second-stock-c6-corvette-z06-on-run-flats/