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March 26, 2009
Corvette ZR1: You've hit the MOTHER LODE!
By Mike Musto
RideLust.com
I’m not going to lie: sometimes being me has some distinct advantages, as I am one of the few people that gets to do what they really love–I get to play with cars. Case in point–last week I received a phone call from a good buddy of mine asking me if I was available for a 2-day quickie road trip to Bowling Green, KY to help drive his new brand 2009 Corvette ZR1 1100 miles home to Long Island, NY. Um, yeah… I’m available for that!
Until a few years ago, when one thought of a super-car, names like Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bugatti would generally come to mind. Rarely, however, have super-car and Chevrolet gone together in the same sentence–that is, until now. The Chevrolet Corvette has always been America’s sports car. Every 3-5 years it gets redesigned and updated for enhanced performance, but it never really got to the point of posing a threat to the offerings from across the pond.
Some quick numbers to think about: 638HP / 604TQ, 0-60 in 3.3 sec, 209 MPH Top Speed, 60-0 stopping in 97 feet.
Think about those numbers for a second because what they represent is America’s first real entrance into the consumer super-car market. Instantly recognizable as a Corvette, most people will simply dismiss it as such, which is both good and bad. Good, because you don’t have all the Ferrari or Lamborghini flash and bad for the same reason. I suppose it will depend on the tastes of the driver. The ZR1′s interior is standard Corvette with a few nice upgrades added for the ZR1 package. Two-tone leather, a carbon fiber console and leather-wrapped dash are nicely done but in no way over the top. The dash panel is standard Corvette as well, with the only change being the replacement of the amp gauge with a boost monitor for the LS9′s supercharger.
Exterior cues are a bit more visceral, with the most obvious being the clear panel on the ZR1′s carbon fiber hood. The roof, sail panels, front spoiler and side ground effects are carbon fiber as well. Taking a closer look reveals massive 15.5″ carbon-ceramic rotors up front with equally impressive 15″ rotors out back – if this doesn’t scream “SUPER CAR,” then I don’t know what does.
Driving the ZR1 provides something that I was simply amazed at: comfort. Seriously, this thing is comfortable. Gone are the ox-cart leaf springs of the Z06 and in place is GMs all new magnetic selective ride control suspension. We cruised 1100 miles and were constantly amazed by how compliant the ZR1 was over all kinds of road surfaces. No jarring bumps, no drama, no nothing, just a great ride. Interior noise was minimal as well. The exhaust is very quiet until you get into the throttle and open up those butterflies and supercharger whine is almost nonexistent. The nice part is that if you want to get serious, you can just turn the knob on the center console from “touring” to “sport”. Steering and suspension feel is now more prevalent through the steering. The gear ratios in the ZR1 are also much better suited to around-town and highway cruising than those of the Z06.
The words above may make you think that the ZR1 is a bit soft. Yes, it’s very comfortable, it has loads of storage room and even gets respectable mileage–until you decide to go fast. Simply put, the ZR1 accelerates like it has a Saturn V rocket strapped to the roof. Plant your foot and you will find yourself gripping the wheel with both hands and laughing out loud. Your grin will widen until you hit the maximum degree of stretchiness that your face will allow and you will feel every hair on the back of your neck stand at attention. The needle blazes past legal speeds in less than 5 seconds and continues until you get well into full-felony territory. Problem with this is, you just don’t care–this car makes you want to speed. Acceleration is there in every gear, hell, you can just slap this thing in 4th gear and drive around all day long if you want.
A great moment came while cruising on Rte. 95N towards NYC when we came upon a group of STi’s and Evo’s – probably 5 or 6 cars in total. As we rolled up all heads turned towards the ZR1, yet no downshifts from the import contingent ensued. We gave them a look, a nod and a wave goodbye and continued on with no drama. What that said to me was that everyone in that group understood what the Corvette ZR1 was and more importantly, what it is capable of. Some may read this and disagree with my view of this car being a true super-car. You may say it must have an Italian or German pedigree to be counted. However, if you fall into this category I would strongly urge you to reconsider. Because, between the US-built Ultimate Aero busting the Veyron’s production speed record, and all-American Chevrolet offering a Corvette with true super-car chops that’s nonetheless still attainable to a wide segment of the performance-car market, America has been setting some precedents lately that will truly make all of Europe’s finest take a second look at their drawing boards.
By the way, you may have noticed the license plate on this particular ZR1 reads: “MTHRLODE”. The reason: it’s the official pace car of The Mother Lode Rally which is set to take place from May 15th-May 22nd, 2009. This car is poised to accomplish some pretty cool stuff in the coming months, so keep it tuned to the blog for further information.
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JDMDC2_2000
Mar 30, 2009 at 3:10 pm
the outside looks great but the interior looks cheap
Gobbs_stopper
Mar 30, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I am working on selling one soon.
Dealz88
Mar 30, 2009 at 1:02 pm
You guys keep talking about the Vette is the new american supercar and the first. Than somebody said the FordGT. Why hasn’t anybody mentioned the Seleen S7. Last time I checked it was american made and had 750hp.
5276033
Mar 30, 2009 at 9:53 am
great all i can say is great
kbevere
Mar 30, 2009 at 5:50 am
i would kill for one of those anyday. Please GM ask me to Kill. lol
KustomKiely
Mar 30, 2009 at 5:05 am
Super nice vette, im jealous.
ILLY-Sase
Mar 29, 2009 at 8:33 pm
hey man…you’re leaning on it.
BigMike3023
Mar 29, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Definitely a Supercar! But I agree with you (Mr. Angry) and retroman about the Ford GT being the first real American Supercar. I mean, if Jeremy “I Hate American Cars” Clarkson bought a Ford GT, it must be one hell of a ride! But this Corvette has definitely surpassed the GT and set the bar for the American Supercar. It’s faster, handles better, and those Carbon-Ceramic brakes are something only found on a handful of beautifully engineered Supercars. Oh yes, ripping apart the new Japanese Supercar (Nissan GT-R/R35 Skyline) didn’t hurt either. Now if only Chevy put this much thought and detail in every car they built, just maybe the company wouldn’t be needing bailouts! As for the Viper, I agree that it has always been much more of a muscle car than Supercar, but the new ACR has to have earned it’s right to be in the Supercar talk after burning up the Nurburgring the way it did! I’d love to see and ACR and this ZR-1 go head to head on the track! Think you can make it happen Mike???
Garage510
Mar 29, 2009 at 8:12 am
I just love the ‘Vette.
MiamiMiataGroup
Mar 29, 2009 at 6:52 am
I am not a fan of Detroit products with only a few exceptions like special mustangs, Camaros, trans am, GTO and vettes but this vette is simply a Sick ride. Simply The sickest Chevy ever, this one would be in my collection if had millions lets say a 3 bedroom house and acres of land with lots parking potential for an outrageous sports car only collection let my passion for cars explode and give Jay Leno’s a run for his money.LOL
XTZTwinTurbo
Mar 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Nice. I raced one once. We were pretty much dead even. Nice car!
74Furyous
Mar 28, 2009 at 8:10 pm
You hit the nail on the head. The car doesn’t stand out like the Italian purebreds. That can be a good thing but can also be disappointing (especially after parting with so much cash). I can’t decide where I stand on that one.
RoughNeckLife
Mar 28, 2009 at 3:16 pm
That is one sick ass car GM made a nice care but i think i would still take a super Snake any day
mcc77
Mar 28, 2009 at 10:12 am
i think the zr1,is very good car, i love watching one these screaming down the street,its a car worth the money, and is fun to drive,
Bigtime070516
Mar 28, 2009 at 7:43 am
one of my buddys just bought one of these for 235000 i dont get the extra 100000 but the paint and everything dont look factory sick ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bigtime070516
Mar 28, 2009 at 7:41 am
costs less then most of these super cars but still drive it daily without huge expensive costs to keep it running, BRAVO chevy BRAVO and though i dont like dodge all that much the viper i would say is def a supercar also……………….
Reekesh
Mar 28, 2009 at 7:17 am
One of the finest car ever. Great interior, rear sexy back, nice wheels, engine looks just stunning but can’t we get the head lamps as they were before: POP UPS! i reakon that it would put a really sexy front face. Nice car. And the driver is real lucky!
rejybaby
Mar 28, 2009 at 6:10 am
I’d like to see this go against a Ford GT 40,Saleen S7 or a Murceilago. A beautiful machine indeed. I’d like to see them go to their peek speed and time attacks.
nelli23
Mar 28, 2009 at 5:18 am
I agree def a supercar. Nasty this thing eats v12′s for breakfast!lol
95BlckFirebird
Mar 27, 2009 at 6:27 pm
God, you guys are soooo freaking man!!! take me out on of your road trips! lol
amazing Corvette!!! Best Sports car ever made hands down
Flavorade
Mar 27, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I saw a yellow ZR-1 a few weeks ago. It was very eye catching, especially the dismembering lip spoiler on the front. It almost kisses the ground, and has a very aggressive looking stance. I was about to hop the median to do a U-turn, so I could get a better look, but I had to be somewhere that day.
anthonywf
Mar 27, 2009 at 2:50 pm
man if i saw a ZR1 on the road, first i think i would shit myself, second i would probably get into a accident, no from trying to race it (i wouldnt even begin to stand a chance in my lil ol cobalt) but from staring it down haha, one day i plan on owning a Z06, i couldnt even imagine owning one of these, man i need to hit the lotto, crazy to think though that this american supercar is only around the 100 thousand range, that is alot considering its a chevy, but CHEVY IS THE BEST! (and i bet this ride is worth every penny) forget any and everything else on the road…wonder if the ZR1 is better on the track then other “supercars”?
wsbob
Mar 27, 2009 at 9:25 am
I love that fuckin’ car
camarofreak30721
Mar 26, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Absolutely unbelievable car. I’d love to have the opportunity just to drive one of those cars. How do I get a job like yours?
Killersharq
Mar 26, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I love that little skull logo on the intake.
MrAngry
Mar 26, 2009 at 7:14 pm
retroman – ok, I’ll give you the Ford GT, but the Viper is more muscle car than super car. The Shelby Series one… ugh, that thing should have never seen the light of day.
trh1987
Mar 26, 2009 at 5:46 pm
a_bengals_fan…. don’t be such a pussy it’s a car!!! not a precious moments figurine
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Mar 26, 2009 at 4:49 pm
[...] Corvette ZR1: You’ve hit the MOTHER LODE! I’m not going to lie: sometimes being me has some distinct advantages, as I am one of the few people that gets [...] [...]
___nes___
Mar 26, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Only Chevy I would ever consider buying.
retroman
Mar 26, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Moparmaniac07 does have a point. The ZR1 is a really nice car, but it’s not a first. You are forgetting not only the Viper, but the Ford GT and the Shelby Series 1 just to name a few.
a_bengals_fan
Mar 26, 2009 at 3:05 pm
It bothers me that he is leaning on the car.
SouthernGuy8503
Mar 26, 2009 at 3:00 pm
to correct my first comment, it was just my mistake that i didn’t read the last little paragraph or notice the license plate lol
brivan
Mar 26, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Unquestionably awesome!
Moparmaniac07
Mar 26, 2009 at 1:08 pm
If this is America’s first supercar, what’s the Viper considered? It’s not a sports car, street legal race car maybe?
Brett Powers
Mar 26, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wow, that is a chance of a lifetime that I wouldn’t pass up either. I got the chance to drive a new GT500 for work once but thats nothing like a ZR1. You’re a lucky man.
quickzcav
Mar 26, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Mr. Angry you rock man. finally a somewhat famous person from Long Island thats not a douche bag. Im from Bay Shore but I live in Oklahoma now. Any way that corvette is hot. i love the carbon fiber and the super clean look of that car. your friend is a lucky son of a bitch. keep it angry .
Chris Bicknell
Mar 26, 2009 at 11:54 am
Thinking of every new car being built today and taking into consideration, price, looks, performance, etc. this is the car I would buy.
SouthernGuy8503
Mar 26, 2009 at 11:53 am
damn your lucky as hell, i’ll give it a real test, bring it to North Carolina lol, i want a new ZR1 so damn bad its not even funny, oh and by the way its “load” not “lode” lol