200mph Corvette ZR1 confirmed

JHMEG

Probably the best sports car pound-for-pound on the go at the moment after the Nissan GTR is the Corvette Z06, which Clarkson loved when he reviewed it.

It's 620bhp 6.2L successor, ZR1, has been confirmed for production. Now if only we'd get it over here (in RHD form):



Lovely.

ART6

Look out speed cameras, here I come.

Max_Damage

Ah, can't beat a good ol' fashioned American sports car.

Can't see this thing though being in a showroom with a load of Matiz's & Kalos'!

JHMEG

Indeed. No-one does muscle like the Americans.

bazz26

"There's no replacement for displacement" American muscle car philosophy.

American muscle cars are making a comeback. I always preferred the Mustang myself especially the current one though they did loose their way during the 80s and 90s.

pburns

bazz26 wrote: »

"There's no replacement for displacement" American muscle car philosophy.

American muscle cars are making a comeback. I always preferred the Mustang myself especially the current one though they did loose their way during the 80s and 90s.

Nah the current Mustang is just a retro pastiche that has had product placement in far too many crap American TV shows.

The Corvette is a proper sports/supercar - not as sophisticated as Europeans but $$$$s cheaper. This may not be enough in our environmentally conscious age though...

Royale with Cheese

Corvettes really are fantastic looking cars. Late 80's/early 90's models aside that is.

JHMEG

bazz26 wrote: »

"[I always preferred the Mustang myself especially the current one

I love it too, fantastic looking car, awesome engine and sounds great. It is badly let down by its suspension tho which is quite primitive.

unkel

JHMEG wrote: »

It is badly let down by its suspension tho which is quite primitive.

Understatement of the year

That said, I'm a great believer in those two powerhouses of American motoring: displacement and the mighty V8!

TomMc

The new Camaro looks fantastic. Really sinister.

And I'd like to see a Panoz back here, where it all began!

bazz26

Looks like another American classic, the Pontiac Trans-Am maybe making a comeback:

Redsoxfan

What's the handling like ?

Re. the OP-are those 'OEM' alloys?

E92

The Caramo, being that big muscle car it is, will soon be available with a 4 cylinder engine, if this is to be believed. I can't wait for it:rolleyes:.

bazz26

E92 wrote: »

The Caramo, being that big muscle car it is, will soon be available with a 4 cylinder engine, if this is to be believed. I can't wait for it:rolleyes:.

Definately one for the Irish market. I can see it sitting in the dealer's showroom next to the Lacetti and Matiz.

Max_Damage

E92 wrote: »

The Caramo, being that big muscle car it is, will soon be available with a 4 cylinder engine, if this is to be believed. I can't wait for it:rolleyes:.

Sure the Mustang had a 4-pot back in the 80's. And it was shíte.

hi5

Max_Damage wrote: »

Ah, can't beat a good ol' fashioned American sports car.

Can't see this thing though being in a showroom with a load of Matiz's & Kalos'!

You wont,
The 'Corvette' is sold here as a special order but is sold as a brand to disassociate itself from the Chevrolet brand as know in Ireland:)

Max_Damage

hi5 wrote: »

You wont,
The 'Corvette' is sold here as a special order but is sold as a brand to disassociate itself from the Chevrolet brand as know in Ireland:)

True, but in America they are still sold as Chevy Corvette's.

JHMEG

Redsoxfan wrote: »

What's the handling like ?

Re. the OP-are those 'OEM' alloys?

The Corvette can handle. It's currently available as a 7.0L 505bhp "Z06" and represents fantastic bang for the buck.

Yes, those alloys seem to be standard.

TheBazman

was at the New York auto show this morning. Have some pics of the ZR1 and the GTR which I will post later in the week . Both absolutely class in the flesh .

SouperComputer

bazz26 wrote: »

"There's no replacement for displacement" American muscle car philosophy.

American muscle cars are making a comeback. I always preferred the Mustang myself especially the current one though they did loose their way during the 80s and 90s.

You cant compare a Mustang with a Corvette tho, 90% of Mustangs on the road are underpowered all show no go drivel. I think only certain Mustangs (GT, Shellby) could be considered Muscle cars. Comparing a Mustang to a Corvette (in terms of peformance and target market) is a bit like comparing a 1.6L Capri and an RX 7. Granted the capri and RX7 are from different times, but i can think of an 80's car hehe.

C_Breeze

Nice car and a lot of bang for the buck but I sat it one at the geneva motor show and im tellin ya .... this thing feels cheap as chips. Truly woefull.

You can actually push the backpanel/bumper in with your hand and it just caves in and pops back out. ... and you can just imagine what the inside feels like.

surely if you have that much money to spend, you would have the decent taste and common sense to buy something made with more quality even if it means a little less speed/power

JHMEG

C_Breeze wrote: »

You can actually push the backpanel/bumper in with your hand and it just caves in and pops back out. .

That might have been a pre-production car you were in, as they're not out till 2009.

OTOH, lots of cars have plastic panels these days. Ever lean up against a Clio?

As regards the interior.. if you want plush buy a Lexus or a Merc. Interior on a car like this isn't high up the priority list imho.

Max_Damage

SouperComputer wrote: »

You cant compare a Mustang with a Corvette tho, 90% of Mustangs on the road are underpowered all show no go drivel.

True, I don't consider a Mustang to be the real deal so-to-speak if it doesn't have a V8. Same with an American muscle car.

The new Charger (with the 350 cubic inch Hemi V8) would be a nice every day car if the assets would allow.