Corvette ZR1 by the numbers?

[xcel]

Fast and Furious is a given. What any driver would need? Not a chance.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 18, 2008

2009 Chevrolet Corvette – EPA rated at 14/20 City/Highway.

DETROIT – The Corvette ZR1’s numbers are public and they're great if you are a performance aficionado. American’s big-iron can go up against the best in the world and for a great price if you are an upper income individual with $100,000 to throw away. The “Vette” is a poor choice if you are concerned with 200 mph vehicles being allowed on public streets with at most 75 mph limits throughout the US. We must also consider the multitude of concerns with regards to the fuel that fuels a performance vehicle today as well.

Performance perspective

When Chevrolet engineers and marketing folks discuss the new ZR1’s performance, they speak in terms of 0 to 100 mph, not 0 to 60 mph. The reason why is the ZR1 is so fast, its 0 to 60 runs are close to that of a Sport Bike! And what about the 0 to 100 mph performance? Just 7 seconds which is equal to or better than many super cars costing substantially more.

To keep things perspective, the ZR1 is not just a super-car competitor on the track (hopefully on the track?), it beats most at the gas pump as well. According to fueleconomy.gov, the ZR1's EPA-rated 14 mpg City and 20 mpg Highway mileage on the 08 EPA test cycles soundly beat competitors including the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (11/15 city/highway); the Lamborghini Murcielago (8/13 city/highway) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (12/19 city/highway). It is competitive with the Porsche 911 GT3 and its somewhat miserly (for a supercar ) 15/22 city/highway.

• $103,300 MSRP (includes an $850 destination charge)
• 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

Pricing including Options

The ZR1 includes a standard list of lightweight and/or performance bred components all the way from the seats and steering wheel to the rims and tires. On top of that however, you can upgrade the $103,300 machine with an interior package that 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 colors for just $10,000 more! $10,000 for side airbags, heated leather and power seats, an upgraded stereo and a leather interior And who could forget the gas-guzzler tax of $1,700

If GM can compete with the best of the best in the performance arena and at a price that places the rest of the world’s Supercar’s to shame, why can they not also compete on a level that the average Joe and Suzy Q. Public deals with on a day to day basis? That being a fuel efficient lineup at a quality and price the rest of the world would be in awe to own and drive also?

Just imagine what we would have available if GM’s prowess in the performance care arena were used in the fuel efficient arena instead?

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by xcel

If GM can compete with the best of the best in the performance arena and at a price that places the rest of the world’s Supercar’s to shame, why can they not also compete on a level that the average Joe and Suzy Q. Public deals with on a day to day basis? That being a fuel efficient lineup at a quality and price the rest of the world would be in awe to own and drive also?

Because GM management is clearly reactive instead of proactive, so you'll need to give them a few years -- after the foreign competition has eaten their breakfast, lunch and dinner.

My father was a Corvette development engineer from `78-`99; I interned in Corvette engineering the summer of 1990. Back then the company's custom hot setup was a Vette outfitted for "brake testing" with twin Mitsubishi turbochargers for 600 HP -- 12.5 sec 1/4 miles at full boost. I've driven that as well as their only ZR-1 convertible prototype at the time (melon color, ie. pastel orange.)

Really fast cars aren't much fun on the streets. Only 2-3 seconds of acceleration and you're at the speed limit. It's a lot more fun thrashing something that's very underpowered, but there aren't any underpowered cars these days.

[Vooch]

I have zero problem with people buying and driving cars like this - if only I didn't have to subsidise their gasoline consumption with my taxes - petroleum is heavily subsidised via tax breaks, the military, and other huge items - these subsidies are hundreds of billions a year

[2003protege]

This is exactly the point made by Jay Leno in an article I recently read--that GM hangs right with supercars with the 'vette and craps out pieces of junk like the aveo in the economy sized class. It really is disheartening

[Bruce]

BTW, one other piece of trivia...at the time I worked there, the stock Vette engine was supposedly the most efficient engine GM had ever made, and it was going into a body that has always had a relatively low CdA and weight. All these are great for FE. The thing that does it in is that engine efficiency is measured at full throttle, and a 5.7l V8 (at the time, now much bigger) is used at a very small throttle opening for cruising relative to a much smaller engine. Pumping losses alone kill the FE.

They were able to mitigate the losses somewhat with very tall gearing -- much taller than any other car at the time. It had a six-speed manual transmission; top speed was reached in fourth gear. Fifth and sixth were strictly there to maximize fuel economy, and it would turn ~1500 RPM at highway speeds in sixth. I'm sure the same strategy is still being used today.

I agree the Aveo falls short. The Vibe is their best small car, but as with mine, it's a rebadged Toyota.

[bullwinkle428]

Originally Posted by Vooch

I have zero problem with people buying and driving cars like this - if only I didn't have to subsidise their gasoline consumption with my taxes - petroleum is heavily subsidised via tax breaks, the military, and other huge items - these subsidies are hundreds of billions a year

You make a GREAT point about the subsidies - I heard recently that the actual amount that we're shelling out for each gallon equates to well over $10...maybe close to $15 per gallon! Just insane, and all the more reason to hypermile as if your life depended on it!

[Earthling]

What would happen if GM used the same level of enthusiasm and expertise to give us a small, light weight, fuel-efficient, reliable car?

I know, I'm just daydreaming...

Harry

[beerme]

Originally Posted by Earthling

What would happen if GM used the same level of enthusiasm and expertise to give us a small, light weight, fuel-efficient, reliable car?

I know, I'm just daydreaming...

Harry

My thoughts as well. Even if they took the same car and put in a small turbo charge 4 cylinder engine, that thing with its aerodynamics and low weight should get great mileage.

[monaroCountry]

Originally Posted by Earthling

What would happen if GM used the same level of enthusiasm and expertise to give us a small, light weight, fuel-efficient, reliable car?

I know, I'm just daydreaming...

Harry

I dont know about you but from where im sitting the Corvette ZR1 seems to be a class leader in it's segment. The Porsches is really the only car challenging the ZR1 however it is also over 200hp down on the Corvette and a stripped out race car.

Dont kid yourself, a small turbocharged 4 wouldnt produce the required performance numbers needed to be successful in this class, it's like asking to have a turbocharged 4 to power a 8000lbs truck. Anymore reduction in Cd would compromise vehicle stability at high speeds (especially one designed for over 200mph) and also lower downforce levels at medium to high speeds turns. This is a big no no for a car in this class.




Corvette ZR1
Power: 638
Torque: 605
Weight: 3350
Consumption (city/highway): 14/20



Aston Martin DB9
Power: 470
Torque: 442
Weight: 3880
Consumption (city/highway): 11/17


Bugatti Veyron
Power: 1001
Torque: 922
Weight: 4470
Consumption(city/highway):8/14


Ferrari 599 GTB
Power:620
Torque:448
Weight: 3725
Consumption(city/highway):11/15


Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
Power:520
Torque:376
Weight:3461
Consumption(city/highway):10/15


Maserati GranTurismo
Power:405
Torque:339
Weight:4144
Consumption(city/highway):13/19


Porsche 911 GT3
Power:415
Torque:299
Weight:3075
Consumption(city/highway):15/22

[Torrentcalm]

I used to own a 2005 Pontiac GTO equipped with a 400hp 6.0L LS2 V8 and a 6spd manual transmission. The GTO weighed approximately 3700 lbs and would hit 60mph in 4.8sec. It always averaged 27mpg on the highway, and was listed I think at 21 or 23 hwy. If anyone here thinks that this ZR-1 or the Z06 cannot acheive over 30mpg then some physics lessons are in order. With less weight, improved aerodynamics and engine efficiency over the GTO 30+ MPG would be a cinch.