Motor Authority - blog Tag: ZR-1

  • GM reveals Corvette ZR1-based C6.R GT2 race car

    GM reveals Corvette ZR1-based C6.R GT2 race car August 4th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, August 4th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    GM reveals Corvette ZR1-based C6.R GT2 race car The Corvette C6.R GT1 car had its last hurrah at the Long Beach leg of the American Le Mans Series GT1 championship, but today General Motors unveiled the car that will be replacing it - the C6.R GT2, based on the Corvette ZR1.

    With the season half over already, Corvette Racing will be using the final five rounds to test and develop the car for next year. The decision to run the car in GT2 is based in part on an upcoming move to a unified GT category in ALMS racing, which will pit the ZR1-based racer against the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Viper, Jaguar, BMW, Panoz and Ford.

    "The global movement toward a single GT class will... The Corvette C6.R GT1 car had its last hurrah at the Long Beach leg of the American Le Mans Series GT1 championship, but today General Motors unveiled the car that will be replacing it - the C6.R GT2, based on the Corvette ZR1. With the season half over already, Corvette Racing will be using the final five rounds to test and develop the car for next year. The decision to run the car in GT2 is based in part on an upcoming move to a unified GT category in ALMS racing, which will pit the ZR1-based racer against the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Viper, Jaguar, BMW, Panoz and Ford. "The global movement toward a single GT class will allow us to compete head-to-head with more marketplace competitors while increasing both the production content of the Corvette C6.R race cars and the relevance of racing to our customers. This is a step that positions Corvette for the future of production-based sports car racing worldwide, and a move that is perfectly aligned with GM's marketing and business objectives in racing," said Mark Kent, GM Racing manager. This radical change in GT regulations precipitated the redesign of the Corvette C6.R package. The new car uses the production aluminum hyrdoformed frame complemented with an integrated tubular steel safety cage instead of a ground-up steel frame as in the GT1 car. In addition, ZR1 production-style fenders replace the GT1's wide, louvered units and the rear wing is cut back by 25% in width, while the rest of the car's aero is also reduced or limited to production levels. For the remainder of 2009, the new C6.Rs will get their power from a 470hp 6.0L GM small-block V8 based on the 7.0L LS7.R under the hood of the GT1 version. For next season, the displacement will be cut even further to 5.5L. Both engines run on E85R racing ethanol. The first race for the new GT2 car will be the Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio this coming Saturday, August 8. It will be televised on ABC at 2:30pm Sunday, August 9.Corvette C6.R GT2 race car Read More

  • Mantide supercar to challenge Corvette ZR1’s Nurburgring lap time

    Mantide supercar to challenge Corvette ZR1’s Nurburgring lap time July 9th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, July 9th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 3 Comments

    Mantide supercar to challenge Corvette ZR1’s Nurburgring lap time With a hexagon-centric theme and styling that looks like it was sent back through a space-time rift from 2020, the Bertone Mantide is a new and polarizing figure in the design

    world. Soon, however, it may also be a prominent figure in the performance world as the owner of the car reportedly wants to take it to the Nurburgring and attempt to beat the scorching 7m 26.4s lap time set by the Corvette ZR1 – the same car on which the Mantide is based.

    Designed and built by Jason Castriota of Bertone fame, the Mantide is a special one-off supercar built from carbon-fiber and magnesium around a Corvette ZR1 chassis. The use of the... With a hexagon-centric theme and styling that looks like it was sent back through a space-time rift from 2020, the Bertone Mantide is a new and polarizing figure in the design world. Soon, however, it may also be a prominent figure in the performance world as the owner of the car reportedly wants to take it to the Nurburgring and attempt to beat the scorching 7m 26.4s lap time set by the Corvette ZR1 – the same car on which the Mantide is based. Designed and built by Jason Castriota of Bertone fame, the Mantide is a special one-off supercar built from carbon-fiber and magnesium around a Corvette ZR1 chassis. The use of the lightweight materials meant designers were able to shave almost 250lb from the kerb weight of the already lightweight ZR1. Furthermore, aerodynamic aids similar to the ones used in F1 sees the Mantide feature 25% less drag and 30% more downforce than the ZR-1 on which it’s based. Not surprisingly, Castriota insists the Mantide is faster than the ZR1 and is very excited about the prospect of the car now tackling the Nurburgring. “It has been a dream of mine from the outset of this project,” Castriota told PistonHeads. “The logistics are not easy, as we’ll need to hire a professional driver – somebody who’s truly a Nurburgring expert like Stefan Roser – and then get the circuit closed for a few days.” Luckily for Castriota, the car’s owner, British-born financier and ‘gentleman racer’ Dan Watkins, is equally excited about the car racing at the Nurburgring and is willing to let a team push it to its limits around the ‘Green Hell’.Inside Jason Castriota's Project M Read More

  • Hennessey working on 705hp ‘Z700’ Corvette ZR1 for 2010

    Hennessey working on 705hp ‘Z700’ Corvette ZR1 for 2010 July 6th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, July 6th, 2009 James Martinez 3 Comments

    Hennessey working on 705hp ‘Z700’ Corvette ZR1 for 2010 The world's fastest and most powerful production Corvette, the 638hp (476kW) ZR1 has become the pinnacle of American sports cars. After all, for most ZR1 owners, having a car capable of Nurburgring times of 7m 26s is more than enough to satisfy performance to satisfy their need for speed. However, for the select few who subscribe to the mantra of "too much horsepower is never enough", Hennessey Performance Engineering has something special in store for them next year.

    Building upon the already launched ZR700 package, Hennessey is currently working on a new 705hp (526kW) upgrade for the Corvette ZR1 designed for track day enthusiasts as well... The world's fastest and most powerful production Corvette, the 638hp (476kW) ZR1 has become the pinnacle of American sports cars. After all, for most ZR1 owners, having a car capable of Nurburgring times of 7m 26s is more than enough to satisfy performance to satisfy their need for speed. However, for the select few who subscribe to the mantra of "too much horsepower is never enough", Hennessey Performance Engineering has something special in store for them next year. Building upon the already launched ZR700 package, Hennessey is currently working on a new 705hp (526kW) upgrade for the Corvette ZR1 designed for track day enthusiasts as well as professional race drivers. Porsche fans wanting a ready-to-race 911 can order the GT3 RS. Dodge Viper enthusiasts wanting the ultimate road race Viper have the ACR. Now ZR1 owners can opt for the Hennessey Z700 upgrade for their Corvettes. Hennessey's Z700 performance package starts by upgrading the engine supercharger, exhaust and air induction systems and is dyno tuned to 705hp (526kW) at 6,400rpm and 717lb-ft (970Nm) of torque at 3,200rpm. But this is just the beginning. Additional upgrades include lightweight carbon-fiber wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, which reduce rotating weight by nearly 60lbs. Hennessey's Z-Aero carbon-fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler also add over 300lbs of down force helping to put the added power to the road and track. Rounding out the Z700 upgrade package is a revised interior with lightweight carbon-fiber seats, Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob. Only 24 examples will be produced, and customers who order a Z700 also get a one-day performance driving instruction course at Hennessey's Lonestar Motorsports Park. Total cost for a base Z700 will start at $207,150, which includes the cost of a donor ZR1 but is essentially double the price. Later this year Hennessey engineers plan to take the car to the Nurburgring to come back with some performance numbers – and possibly some new records. Some of the claims include a 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds, 0-100mph in 6.4 seconds, a quarter mile ET of 10.6 seconds at 134mph, and finally a top speed in excess of 212mph.Hennessey ZR700 Corvette ZR12010 Hennessey Z700 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Read More

  • Video: Hennessey's 705hp LS9-powered HPE700 Camaro roars to life

    Video: Hennessey's 705hp LS9-powered HPE700 Camaro roars to life June 25th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, June 25th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 3 Comments

    Video: Hennessey's 705hp LS9-powered HPE700 Camaro roars to life In January Texas-based tuning firm Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) announced plans for a highly modified 2010 Chevrolet Camaro that the company plans to launch early next year. Called the HPE700, the limited edition Camaro will boasts a 705hp (526kW) output and joins other mega-power custom cars like the recently launched ‘Godzilla 700’ Nissan GT-R and a string of ‘Venom’ Dodge Vipers. Just over a week ago the company announced it had successfully fit the same supercharged LS-variant engine found in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 into the Camaro's engine bay, and today Hennessey released footage of the beast... In January Texas-based tuning firm Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) announced plans for a highly modified 2010 Chevrolet Camaro that the company plans to launch early next year. Called the HPE700, the limited edition Camaro will boasts a 705hp (526kW) output and joins other mega-power custom cars like the recently launched ‘Godzilla 700’ Nissan GT-R and a string of ‘Venom’ Dodge Vipers. Just over a week ago the company announced it had successfully fit the same supercharged LS-variant engine found in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 into the Camaro's engine bay, and today Hennessey released footage of the beast roaring to life. As if the 638hp (476kW) the LS9 puts out in ZR1-trim weren't enough, in the HPE700 the force-fed V8 mill will churn out a peak output of 705hp (526kW) and 717lb-ft (971Nm) of torque. The custom Camaro will also pick up the ZR1’s 15in carbon-ceramic brakes, light weight HRE wheels and Michelin PS2 tires. In addition to the power and handling upgrades, Hennessey will also be offering an exterior aerodynamics package to improve downforce at high speed. Penned by British designer, Steve Everitt, Hennessey's ‘Cam-Aero’ body upgrades include a carbon-fiber rear lip spoiler, carbon-fiber side rocker panels, a carbon-fiber front splitter, a new front fascia with hideaway-look headlights, and a front billet grille. Completing the look of the HPE700 is a ZR1 inspired hood design with a plastic window showing off the Hennessey's tweaked LS9 powerplant. HPE700 buyers will also receive a one-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a ¼ mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey's 24,000 square foot production facility and showroom. Hennessey offered the first HPE700 Camaros exclusively to registered bidders at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. However, the car will eventually be available to the general public or ordered from select Chevrolet dealers as well as directly from Hennessey. Pricing will start at $109,500. Twenty-four of the cars will be built, but 11 are already spoken for, so if you want your own piece of completely unreasonable muscle-car Americana, you'd better hurry. The story doesn’t end there as Hennessey plans to launch other turn-key vehicle packages for the new Camaro as well as an extensive list of aftermarket performance parts and accessories, including the recently announced, slightly tamer Camaro HPE550. Via: Hennessey Performance Engineering2010 Chevrolet Camaro Official PhotosHennessey HPE700 2010 Chevrolet CamaroHennessey Performance HPE700 LS9 roars to life Read More

  • GM bumps price of 2010 Corvette ZR1 up $2,910 to $107,830

    GM bumps price of 2010 Corvette ZR1 up $2,910 to $107,830 June 16th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, June 16th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    GM bumps price of 2010 Corvette ZR1 up $2,910 to $107,830 Supercar performance from a 638hp supercharged V8 engine, carbon fiber bodywork and sharp styling should all add up to a price tag in the $200,000+ range if you look to the competition, but the Corvette ZR1's unmatched value put its sticker price at just $104,920 for 2009. That price will be going up for 2010, but not enough to push the ZR1 from its bang-for-the-buck pedestal.

    Pricing for 2010 will start from $107,830, a rise of $2,910 over the 2009 sticker, reports CorvetteBlogger. Once you add in the $1,700 gas guzzler tax, the total climbs to $109,530 for the 3,333lb (1,512kg) 2010 Corvette ZR1.

    That's still about half the price of its... Supercar performance from a 638hp supercharged V8 engine, carbon fiber bodywork and sharp styling should all add up to a price tag in the $200,000+ range if you look to the competition, but the Corvette ZR1's unmatched value put its sticker price at just $104,920 for 2009. That price will be going up for 2010, but not enough to push the ZR1 from its bang-for-the-buck pedestal. Pricing for 2010 will start from $107,830, a rise of $2,910 over the 2009 sticker, reports CorvetteBlogger. Once you add in the $1,700 gas guzzler tax, the total climbs to $109,530 for the 3,333lb (1,512kg) 2010 Corvette ZR1. That's still about half the price of its nearest performance rivals, and only about $20,000 over the 480hp (358kW), 3,800lb (1,727kg) Nissan GT-R. Aside from the modest 2.8% price bump, the 2010 ZR1 will also get launch control and the new Performance Traction Management system, both worth the expense in their own right. A new optional 'competition gray' wheel package will also be available, as will new interior and exterior color options. The standard Corvette also saw a slight price rise this year, up $365, though it also gets the upgraded launch control and traction management systems.Corvette ZR-1 Read More

  • GM engineer drops Corvette ZR1 supercharged LS9 into '69 Chevrolet Camaro

    GM engineer drops Corvette ZR1 supercharged LS9 into '69 Chevrolet Camaro May 29th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, May 29th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    GM engineer drops Corvette ZR1 supercharged LS9 into '69 Chevrolet Camaro For many auto enthusiasts, the golden age of automotive styling was during 1960s, when designers had virtual free reign on their designs and didn't have to worry about aerodynamics, pedestrian crumple zones and other such ‘nuisances’. At the same time, the ‘60s could hardly be called the high point of automotive technology, and the development of engines, brakes, suspension components and transmissions still had a long way to go.

    Fast forward to 2009, and legendary GM engineer and pro-touring car builder Mark Stielow appears to have created the perfect marriage of automotive styling and technology - and by this we mean a... For many auto enthusiasts, the golden age of automotive styling was during 1960s, when designers had virtual free reign on their designs and didn't have to worry about aerodynamics, pedestrian crumple zones and other such ‘nuisances’. At the same time, the ‘60s could hardly be called the high point of automotive technology, and the development of engines, brakes, suspension components and transmissions still had a long way to go. Fast forward to 2009, and legendary GM engineer and pro-touring car builder Mark Stielow appears to have created the perfect marriage of automotive styling and technology - and by this we mean a 1969 Butternut Yellow Chevrolet Camaro with GM's insane LS9 V8 dropped into its engine bay. For the uninitiated, the LS9 supercharged V8 is the most powerful production engine GM has ever made, with a mind-numbing 638hp (476kW) and 604lb-ft (819Nm) of torque on tap. It currently resides in the mighty Corvette ZR1 supercar and is available as a standalone crate engine for $21,000. Named 'The Jackass', Stielow’s LS9-powered Camaro also takes the same wheels and super wide sport tires from the ZR1 to help transmit all that power to the road. The only issue that could crop up from this is trying to stop the car at 180mph with the stock Camaro brakes, but luckily these have also been replaced with the same carbon-ceramic units found in the ZR1. A quick chassis dyno reveals that the car makes around 511hp (381kW) at its rear wheels, transmitted through a Tremec T56 6-speed transmission borrowed from the Dodge Viper. With all that power, we can expect lightning fast acceleration although no performance figures have been released. As for the price of all those tantalizing mods, Stielow revealed to Edmunds that it’s actually cheaper to buy the Corvette ZR1 – but who could say no to an LS9-powered 1969 Camaro if money was no option? Read More

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