Its amazing! The project hasn't exactly been a mystery. Chevrolet has
been working on a high-end Corvette to slot above the Z06 as GM's
hottest sports car for some time. The car has been known as the Blue
Devil and the Corvette SS, but when it arrives in dealers this summer it
will be the next incarnation of the ZR1.

Power will be phenomenal. GM is targeting at least 620 horsepower
and 595 pound-feet of torque. The ZR1 will be capable of reaching
200 mph and cornering at better than 1 g of lateral grip.

The heart of the beast will be a supercharged version of GM's 6.2-liter
V8 known as LS9. It will be the first ever supercharger in a Corvette.
While the 1990-95 Corvette ZR1 used a dual-overhead cam, 32-valve
V8, this engine will feature overhead valves and two valves per
cylinder. The LS9's Eaton Roots-type supercharger will provide 10.5
pounds of boost and use a liquid-to-air charge intercooler. Like the
Corvette Z06, the ZR1 will have a dry sump oiling system that allows
for a lower center of gravity. The engine will be mated to a new
Tremec six-speed manual transmission with a twin-disc clutch to
better handle the LS9's torque output.

The ZR1's suspension will be much the same as in other Corvettes,
but will feature thicker front and rear stabilizer bars and springs that
will be slightly softer than those of the Z06. GM's Magnetic Selective
Ride Control (MSRC) will be standard. MSRC is a real-time damping
system that uses electronically controlled shocks filled with a fluid
containing minute iron particles. When subjected to a magnetic
charge, the iron particles align to provide varying degrees of damping
resistance.

The brakes also represent a first. The ZR1 will use carbon ceramic
rotors. Measuring 15.5 inches in diameter up front and 15 inches in
the rear, the rotors will be vented and cross-drilled. GM says they
save 11 pounds at each corner compared to cast iron rotors. Six-
piston front and four-piston rear calipers will be used; the front
brake pads will be twice the size of those found on the Z06.

Like the Z06, the ZR1 will be offered in a hatchback body style with a
fixed top. The front fenders, hood, roof panel, roof bow, front fascia
splitter, and rocker moldings will be made of carbon fiber. All except
the top of the hood will be exposed-weave carbon fiber protected by
a clear coat. The fenders will have dual ports on each side instead of
the single port design of other Corvettes. The hood will have a clear
polycarbonate window to show off the intercooler, which will be
adorned with "LS9 SUPERCHARGED" lettering. The ZR1 will be offered
in seven colors: Black, Velocity Yellow Tintcoat, Victory Red, Atomic
Orange Metallic, Jetstream Blue Metallic, Blade Silver Metallic, and
Cyber Gray Metallic.

Expect pricing to approach $100,000.