In one mega group-test Evo sees which is the best road-racer model out of the Porsche 911 GT3, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, the Audi R8 V10 and the Corvette ZR1. While describing this test as determining the most “hard-core” model, the introduction doesn’t really specify the criteria.

In fact, after a look at the engine specs and details, the Corvette is pegged as one of the more interesting models due to its very fast engine. But if you were to explain from the beginning that by “road-racing” you mean vehicles that can go fast elegantly, corner well, and give an overall fast but assured driving experience, you’d probably understand that the ZR1 is not quite in the league of the others (although some accusations of bias were levelled at Evo in the comments).

After an initial drive, Evo says:

Continue reading: Group test: Porsche GT3 vs Vantage V12 vs Audi R8 V10 vs Corvette ZR1

The Corvette C6R GT2 has been released with this gallery set showing the yellow and black livery has been maintained. The GT2 is replacing the GT1 and will compete with the Ferrari 430 and Porsche 997 in racing events. The drivers for Corvette Racing are: Johnny O’Connell, Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Marcel Fassler.

The new GT2 is based on the Corvette Z06 with some features from the ZR1. This is to move it closer to the market for fans to purchase, with an alluminium production series chassis and steel, not carbon, brakes. While based on the GT1 seven-litre engine, the GT2 has a reduced engine capacity to six litres to use at the beginning of the championship, to be substituted then by a V8 5.5-litre unit. It will soon be introduced on GM group cars and will be manufactured by General Motors Performance together with the LS9 from the Corvette ZR1.

Continue reading: Corvette Racing C6R GT2 pics

Here are the first official pics of the Bertone Mantide, previously known as “Project M“. Designed by Jason Castriota, who moved to Bertona after years working for Pininfarina, the Mantide is based on the Corvette ZR1. The transparent panel in the car shows these origins, offering a partial view of the V8 at 647 hp.

The Mantide shows aeronautical style and decidedly futuristic characteristics, with what looks to be a development on the rear of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, also designed by Castriota. With impressive aerodynamics, the car also uses carbon fibre panelling, resulting in a 100 kg reduction on the Corvette ZR1.

Performance figures are 3.2 seconds to reach 100 km/hr and a top speed of 351 km/hr. The Mantide is destined to be one unique example, and built in collaboration with Danisi Engineering, will be on display at various events. For a listing of these events see www.insideprojectm.com.

Continue reading: Bertone Mantide official pics

The Dodge Viper doesn’t have ‘just’ 600hp, as the manufacturer has officially declared, but actually a good 642, as revealed by a dynograph test from Dragtimes. The experiment shows that the Dodge Viper could challenge the Corvette ZR1 as America’s fastest and most powerful car. As the guys at Jalopnik say, only a head-to-head test run of the Dodge and Corvette will find out…

Source | Jalopnik

Continue reading: Dodge Viper ACR: 642 CV and 813 Nm

So the Corvette ZR1 is not news, but it’s still something to get excited about. Passing it so many times at the Bologna motor show, we finally conceded to its fascination and took these shots. Isn’t she lovely?

Continue reading: Corvette ZR1 live at the Bologna motor show

The three madmen from Top Gear have been cooking up something again, with the troup of Clarkson, Hammond and May turning up in Reno, Nevada, with a small convoy of supercars. It appears that the Bonneville Salt Flats was the destination, an immense salt deposit near Salt Lake City in Utah.

Whatever for, you might ask…? Well, it’s clear that a test drive was on the cars and the photos suggest we could see an attempt at the maximum speed of the Corvette ZR1. Bonneville has often been the theatre for new speed records and it could be the ideal place for a crazy experiment like this one.

Continue reading: Top Gear tests the Corvette ZR1: maximum speed at Bonneville

We only know a few numbers (7:26.4) about this version, and yet talk is already out about the next generation. The Americans are aiming to get on top of European competition with this Corvette ZR1, which will have twin turbo combined with a V6 engine. The car should abandon the classic V8 and will follow the Nissan GT-R example.

No news is available on the twin clutch transmission or the central engine. The new ‘Vette though, starting with the the C7, will be counting on an attractive engine and reducing emissions and consumption.

Source | Autoblog

Continue reading: Corvette ZR1: 2012 sees turbo engine

This guy, Dave Ressler, will now always be able to look at the “0001″ on the number plate of his new Corvette ZR1 anytime he wants. And how did this pleasure cost? A mere one million dollars.

Dave has managed two Chevrolet dealerships for many years and owns the oldest example of a Corvette around - the “0003″ from 1953 (0001 and 0002 belong to GM).

In the film you can see Dave, along with his family, in the historic factory at Bowling Green, Kentucky, while he picks up what he just paid for with his mega, six zero cheque.

Continue reading: Corvette ZR1: video of the first unit

In case relative and superlative adjectives aren’t enough to describe the exquisite Corvette ZR1, Tadge Juechter, project manager, has an interview with Edmunds in which he summarises all its values and characteristics, and adds a some news.

First the new American coupé will be produced (starting this summer) in 2,000 units a year: a figure which, together with the price of about 100,000 USD, indicates an assumed commercial success. But not only, the ability to “conquer the track record of any world circuit” reveals itself and we wonder if the ZR 1 could be defined as the perfect car.

Continue reading: Corvette ZR1: will 2000 units a year be enough?

It will be interesting to see if the time in which she’ll fly from 0-100 km/hr will be less than 3.7 seconds: and the reply is oscillating between “yes” and “probably yes” although waiting until 2009 for this racing car is going to be torture.

According to reports from Auto Week, the Corvette ZR1 will imported to Europe from the end of 2008 and unfortunately there will only be 77 available: we’re imagining a continental war will break out based on levels of the fans’ passion and levels of curiousity to try her out on the track.

In case you’re fatally attracted to the LS9 (V8 6.2l) engine, the less exclusive Cadillac CTS-V could satisfy your desires. It’s less exclusive than the Vette, and less powerfuly (”only 550 hp), but it won’t tempt you into trying your hand and auctions potentially dangerous for the wallet.

Via | AutoWeek.nl

Continue reading: Corvette ZR1: only 77 available in the whole of Europe