2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: Easy AND Fun to Drive? Now we're talkin'!
That the new ZR1 Corvette is stupid fast doesn't phase me. The Z06 isn't exactly slow, and the ZR1 costs an additional $30,000. Give any half-witted Corvette tuner a Z06 and $30,000 and he'll create a fire-breathing monster.
No, a fast ZR1 doesn't impress me. But an extremely well sorted ZR1, capable of being driven fast without risking imminent death while also being fun to drive? Now my interest is piqued. Throw in everyday comfort and functionality and I'm willing to at least investigate financing options.
Like so many other automotive benchmarks, the requirements of a supercar have shot up in recent years. Just as "safe" and "dependable" and "comfortable" don't mean much anymore across most vehicle categories (because these days everything is -- relatively speaking -- safe, dependable and comfortable), pulling impressive numbers at a test track isn't enough to garner "great supercar" status.
No, if you want to be taken seriously in 2009 your supercar better hit 60 in less than 4 seconds, top out at over 190 mph, be relatively functional/dependable as a daily driver and be both fun and easy to drive.
It's those last items that are often the hardest to get right, as history suggests an easy-to-drive supercar is rarely the most entertaining vehicle to operate, and vice-versa. Take early 911s, or the first Dodge Vipers, as two prime examples. Both models demanded your full attention if you wanted to avoid a spectacular (and potentially deadly) off-road/off-track excursion. But after I drove a 2000 Dodge Viper GTS back-to-back against a 2000 Corvette Z06 at Willow Springs there was no denying which one offered the most rewarding experience.
But in recent years the concepts of "easy-to-drive" and "fun-to-drive" have begun to come together in a single vehicle. I think the first supercar to impress me with these oft-contradictory traits was the Acura NSX. Here's an exotic that offered all the responsiveness and of a mid-engine coupe without all the drama when pushing past its limits. Certainly you could still crash an NSX, but you had to be pretty ham-fisted to do it.
More recent examples include the Lamborghini Gallardo/Audi R8 twins and Nissan GT-R. And yes, I see the trend here. There's no denying the benefit of all-wheel-drive technology when trying to create a fast, fun and easy-to-drive vehicle. But the Ferrari F430, Ford GT and Porsche 911 GT3 are also fast, fun and manageable when pushed past their limits, so rear-drivers (beyond the NSX) can pull it off.
I haven't driven the ZR1 yet, but from what I've read and heard it's not just a shockingly fast car, but a stable and fun car. That's good, as this is the new trinity of great supercars. I'm looking forward to confirming whether or not Chevy really pulled it off.
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- Karl Brauer August 29, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Supercar NSX
Sounds like this is a great car, and the 'Ring times back up all the hype.
That being said, if I was to ever be in the market for this price of vehicle, I can't see this car being near the top of my list. I find the GT-R and R8 much more appealing.
I don't see how anyone who wants a top of line performance car could find the GT-R or R8 more appealing but...
As far as the ZR1 goes- I can already predict the review: "Sure it's fast, comfortable, spacious and less expensive than the Euro competition, but the shifter, steering and interior aren't up to price tag or super car competition."
My response would be, who cares. The Corvette has a faithful following and people have been clamouring for an all out Vette for years. Those buyers will happy with the ZR1 and likely don't give a rats arse about how in compares to an F430 or defunct sports cars which are no longer sold. Personally, I don't think Chevy has ever really been concerned about people cross shopping the Vette with other performance cars. Other than the 911, all these other entries come and go like the tide while the Porsche and Vette have withstood the test of time.
As far as specifics of the car itself, the car will ride better than the Z06 which ensures a great daily driving experience. I think the engineers tuned the ride to be softer than the Z06 and slightly tighter than the base Vette's Z51 package (with MRC set to touring). This fact, coupled with positively ridiculous acceleration and improved steering hardware should make this best sports car for under $120k. I haven't seen a GT-R in person yet, but I have seen many Z06s. Driving in front, behind or adjacent to that car is an experience- and according the videos, the LS9 sounds even better. The engine/exhaust sounds cannot be duplicated by small displacement V8/V10s or V6s with turbos. A Gallardo drove down my parents' street the other day and it sounds like a lawn mower with a bad spark plug at low revs. You have to get well into the rev range for it to sound good and exotic. GM's current generation small blocks manage to sound old school manly yet refined and expensive at the same time from idle to redline, especially the LS3 and LS7.
The Viper has now overtaken the ZR1's time at the 'Ring and I am fine with that as the GT-R lovers have a new target to focus on. It's interesting that Dodge had to fiddle with the various suspension/spoiler/tire pressure settings and get the Hard Core package which deletes the radio, sound deadening and other options for it to achieve that four second lead. GM drove their car in stock street form...
"Now my interest is peaked." Piqued?
"I don't see how anyone who wants a top of line performance car could find the GT-R or R8 more appealing but..."
Maybe I should have clarified and said that I don't have an interest in racing (street or on a track), so I'm willing to sacrifice the superior track performance for what I see as more interesting cars overall. This is nothing against the ZR1, more just a statement about my wants in a car.
Actually it's peaked, piqued and peeked.
Chavis10 is right that the Corvette faithful are lining up for the ZR1, as they should. What sufficiently moneyed die-hard wouldn't want a super-vette?
What I'm more interested to see, however, is how everyone else in the $200K+ income club will respond. Is the ZR1 awesome enough to pique (*ahem*) the interest of people who are cool on Corvettes?
doug- I believe the Z06 is supposed to be the "track" car of the Corvette line-up. The ZR1 should be more comfortable according to GM's engineers and developers. I agree with you though- if I brought any of these cars, it'd never see a race track. I would take it to Atco or Elizabethtown, New Jersey to a drag strip, but that's about it. To me, Ferraris are pointless to drive around town as are the Lambos- and you see them all the time here in Philly.
edubya- I don't think any Vette will attract the attention of someone who has their heart set on say, an Audi R8. However, if you are strictly looking for max performance in a car that won't beat you up everyday, I don't see how anything would be able to top this car. My long rant simply tried to illustrate my notion that Chevy likely isn't worried about converting any sports car snobs. I'm sure they'll find enough buyers to move the amount of units they plan to produce. In the end of the day, that's what matters. They'll give Corvette enthusiasts the best they can offer and I'm guessing there have been plenty of people waiting.
As a serious Corvette enthusiast for little more than a year now, I'm really happy that this car has been made. In the (little) time I spent in a regular C6 I had only one dislike: The runflat tires.
I'm guessing that the choice of non RFT Michelins has an important impact in the harshess of the suspension, not taking into account any other adjustments.
Also the news that the track special Viper broke the lap record at the 'Ring reeks as a purely marketing stunt done at the time they have announced the Viper "brand" is up for sale, what great timing! Granted, the GTR and ZR1's time is also marketing, but at least those aren't track oriented modifications of the model.
I'd like to see one top of the line driver, with a known driving style, lap those 3 cars to see which one is the fastest in equal hands.
"But in recent years the concepts of "easy-to-drive" and "fun-to-drive" have begun to come together in a single vehicle. I think the first supercar to impress me with these oft contradictory traits was the Acura NSX. Here's an exotic that offered all the responsiveness and of a mid-engine coupe without all the drama when pushing past its limits. Certainly you could still crash it, but you had to be pretty ham-fisted to do it."
The NSX was a super all around car that bascially changed the high end sports car landscape yet it got little to no respect because it was "just a Honda".
Although the ZR1 is a seriously fast car I would still choose the Z06 as it seems to be a more purposely focused drivers car than the ZR1. I also prefer the normally aspirated 7.0L V8 as I dont care for supercharged engines much no matter how much power they produce.