The new Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful and fastest production car ever produced by General Motors, with performance enabled by a new, supercharged 6.2 LS9 small-block V-8 engine. Incorporating the engineering experience already found in the Corvette Z06 the all new ZR1 achieves the following astounding performance figures.

0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds
0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds
Top speed 205 mph
647PS maximum power and 819 NM peak torque
The Corvette ZR1’s 0-60mph performance is 0.3-seconds faster than the already-quick Corvette Z06 with 505PS. And the 0-100mph performance is nearly a full second quicker: 7 seconds vs. the Z06’s 7.9 seconds. It is performance that is equal to or better than many super cars in a considerably higher price-range.

Since the start of production the demand from customers worldwide has been huge.  ZR1s are set arrive in Europe this year with a limited number coming to the UK.

Supercharged LS9 engine
The new LS9 6.2-litre small-block engine is the power plant that supports the ZR1’s performance capability, giving a huge 647PS maximum power and 819Nm peak torque.  The enabler of the LS9’s performance and refinement is a large, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design. It is augmented with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance.
A sixth-generation supercharger helps the LS9 make big power and torque at lower rpm and carries it in a wide arc to 6,600rpm, as it pushes enough air to help the engine maintain power through the upper levels of the rpm band – the area where supercharged performance tends to diminish. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components enable the engine’s confident high-rpm performance.

The LS9 is hand-assembled at GM’s Performance Build Centre, in Wixom, Michigan, and incorporates processes typically seen in racing engines to produce a highly refined and precise product. For example, cast iron cylinder liners are inserted in the aluminum block and are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed. The deck plate simulates the pressure and minute dimensional variances applied to the block when the cylinder heads are installed, ensuring a higher degree of accuracy that promotes maximum cylinder head sealing, piston ring fit and overall engine performance.

Transmission and axle
The LS9 engine is backed by an upgraded, stronger six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc clutch. ZR1-specific gearing in the transmission provides a steep first-gear ratio that helps launch the car, and top speed is achieved in sixth gear – a change from the fifth-gear top-speed run-outs in the manual-transmission Corvette and Corvette Z06.
As the term implies, the twin-disc clutch system employs a pair of discs, which spreads out the engine’s torque load over a wider area. This enables tremendous clamping power when the clutch is engaged, while also helping to dissipate heat better and extend the life of the clutch.

The twin-disc clutch system also contributes to the ZR1’s exceptional driving quality, with smooth and easy shifting. The twin-disc system’s design allows higher torque capacity with inertia and pedal effort similar to the Corvette Z06. It enables a 25 per cent reduction in inertia, thanks to smaller, 260mm plates; the Corvette Z06’s uses a 290mm single-disc system.
The rear axle also is stronger in the ZR1 and features asymmetrical axle-shaft diameters that were developed after careful testing to provide optimal torque management. The axles are also mounted on a more horizontal plane that correlates with the wider width of the rear wheels and tyres.

Ride and handling
The ZR1 is built on the same aluminium-intensive chassis as the Corvette Z06 and features similar independent front and rear suspension, with aluminium upper and lower control arms. Where the ZR1 differs is the suspension tuning, which was optimised for the car’s wide front and rear tyres.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard and tuned specifically for the ZR1. The system’s ability to deliver a compliant ride with nearly instantaneous damping adjustments enabled engineers to develop a surprisingly supple ride quality in a supercar that still delivers cornering grip of more than 1g.
From a high-performance perspective, Magnetic Selective Ride Control helps the rear axle remain planted during launch for smooth, hop-free acceleration. It also helps suppress axle movement when cornering on broken or uneven pavement.

Brakes, wheels and tyres
Commensurate with the ZR1’s engine output is the braking system, which is headlined by Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Found on only a few exotics and more expensive supercars, carbon-ceramic brake rotors are made of a carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramic silicon carbide material . Their advantage comes in low mass and resistance to wear and heat. In fact, the rotors should never show any corrosion or require replacement for the life of the vehicle, when used in normal driving.
The vented and cross-drilled rotors on the ZR1 measure 15.5 inches (394mm) in diameter in the front and 15 inches (380mm) in diameter in the rear – making them among the largest carbon-ceramic rotors available on any production vehicle.

Clamping down on the high-tech rotors are six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers, each painted a ZR1-exclusive blue. The front pads are equivalent in size to the largest on any production car with a single-pad design – double that of the Corvette Z06’s 70 square centimetre front pads.
The brakes are visible through the ZR1’s exclusive wheels: 20-spoke alloy rims that measure 19 inches in diameter in the front and 20 inches in the rear. They come standard with a bright, Sterling Silver paint finish and chrome versions are optional. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres developed specifically for the ZR1, measuring P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear.

Exclusive exterior
The ZR1 is instantly recognisable, with perhaps the most identifiable feature a raised, all-carbon-fibre bonnet that incorporates a clear, polycarbonate window. The window provides a view of the top of the engine’s intercooler, with the legend “LS9 SUPERCHARGED” embossed on the left and right sides, and an engine cover with the Corvette crossed flags logo at the front.
The underside of the bonnet has a visible carbon-fibre-weave. Visible carbon-fibre is used on the roof, roof bow, rocker moulding and front splitter. These exterior components are protected by a specially developed glossy, UV-resistant clear coat that resists yellowing and wear.
Widened, carbon-fibre front wings with specific, dual lower ports; and a full-width, body-colour rear spoiler incorporating the centre high-mounted stop lamp are also unique to the ZR1.  All of the exterior features were developed to enhance high-speed stability and driver control.

Interior details
The ZR1’s interior builds on the brand’s dual-cockpit heritage, with high-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality that support the premium-quality experience promised by the car’s performance. The ZR1’s cabin differs from the Corvette and Corvette Z06 with the following:
ZR1-logo sill plates

ZR1-logo headrest embroidery
Specific gauge cluster with “ZR1” logo on the tachometer and a 220mph (370km/h) readout on the speedometer
Boost gauge added to the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display
The standard ZR1 comes with a specification based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The upgraded interior package includes power-adjustable, heated and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); side air bags; Bose premium audio system; navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; power telescoping steering column; custom leather-wrapped interior available in four colours and more.

By the numbers
In addition to the exterior cues and powertrain, ZR1 models will be distinguished from other Corvette models by their VIN. Each will carry a unique, identifying VIN digit, as well as a sequential build number. This makes it easy to determine the build number of a specific car – information treasured by enthusiasts and collectors. For example, a ZR1 with a VIN ending in “0150” would indicate it is the 150th ZR1 built for the model year.