When Chevrolet introduced the C7 Corvette to the world five years ago, the world braced themselves for a Corvette unlike any other, well except for a few people like me due to numerous reasons that led me to my deep-rooted hatred for this Corvette but tensions have been toned down when they gave us the powerful Z06 which has the nooks and crannies of a C7.R racer and the Grand Sport which is known to be a Porsche 911 GT3 edited for rednecks. Having been on the road for five years, the C7 Corvette has reached its final form the world will brace; the
C7 ZR1. It's the C7 Corvette that says "let's finish this, you and I!"
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| 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 |
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| 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible |
The ZR1 has returned as the finishing blow by the C7 Corvette and when I said "finishing blow", it really is because with rumors circulating around the block that their replacement will be mid-engined just like a Ferrari 488, rest assured that the final chapter of the seventh-generation Corvette will write a happy ending with a savage spin-out and a coup d'grace this ultimate Corvette will deliver.
Like the lesser Z06, the ZR1's design is heavily inspired by the C7.R racing machine but because this is the ultimate Corvette ever made, the intimidating exterior design will really alarm the Europeans knowing that it's already high noon. Get it? On the inside, it still feels like every Corvette in this generation and with the special race-inspired Competition seats, this interior feels like you're driving a race car even though you're driving on the streets of Los Angeles in the night time.
Anyway, let's not gawk down the looks because the forte of the C7 ZR1 is the performance and we begin with the aerodynamics that tries to flex its American muscles. First, the wing, it offers 20% less drag than the adjustable high wing from the ZTK Track Performance Package but it you went for it, it delivers 60% more downforce than the Z06 with Z07 Performance Package. For the first time in a Corvette, the ZR1 has race car-inspired underwing technology for better downforce and for cooling measures, the ZR1 comes with five additional radiators, power steering cooler, differential oil cooler, and the transmission cooling module from the Z06, as well as four new outboard radiators and a new front low temperature radiator to cool down the monstrous 6.2L LT5 supercharged V8 engine.
This V8 in question generates a monstrous 755HP of power and 715lb-ft of torque and comes with the biggest supercharge to date, delivering peak boost pressure of 13psi and 52% larger displacement than the LT4 supercharger. For the first time in a Chevrolet, it comes with the new dual fuel injection system which uses a port fuel rail and injections in addition to the Direct Injection system, and top it all off, it comes with dry-sump oil system, where oil is pumped to the engine from a 9.8 quart-capacity tank within the engine bay to make sure it never goes to its critical areas when you drive like a maniac. With this engine mated to the available 8-speed AT, it has a top speed of 212mph, which is as fast as a Ferrari 812 Superfast! Now that's supercar territory!
Of course, while speedo boys are not fans of fakey exhaust notes, this four-mode exhaust system maybe made for show and tell but it can be downright crazy to listen to four sound profiles from Track, Sport, Tour, and for the sneaky folks, Stealth. They've added a Stealth mode on the exhaust! But no, this is not stealth camouflage, sorry.
Anyway, back to the ZR1's inside story, let's look closely on the tires and on a normal ZR1, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires really works with its dynamic character it possesses but for the ZTK Track Performance Package, the specially-tuned suspension and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires really means business on the track, especially on a hot lap round America's best race tracks such as Laguna Seca, Sebring, or Daytona. As for stopping power, it comes with front 15.5-inch rotors with 6-piston calipers, rear 15.3-inch rotors with 4-piston calipers, and high-performance Brembo carbon ceramic brakes for a stopping power equivalent of a tectonic rage. Also, it comes with 4-wheel antilock brakes so when you brake approach the corner, it goes smoothly as planned.
Then, there's the chassis and as always, it comes with Magnetic Selective Ride Control which adapts to the road in less than 15 milliseconds, delivering the drivers the feel of a supercar and along with the Performance Traction Management and Electronic Limited-Slip Differential, the ZR1 can be somewhat challenging but rewarding if you want to drive it as long as you want until the sun sets.
So, now that almost everything you want to know about the ZR1 has been told, better get the checkbooks ready because the price can be downright upsetting for a supercar of this size. It's 121,000 US Dollars. That pricing will make you think you want one but the next day, you're regretting it just like Sarah Palin. Get it? Even the convertible version suffers the same issue as well but anyway, there's no time to talk sissy because the C7 Corvette, in its dying moments, is becoming one of the all-time greats and this ZR1 marks the happiest ending in this generation and with cars like the Porsche 911 GT2 RS set the fastest Nurburgring record for production cars, looks like the ZR1 is up for the challenge but in the meantime, potential drivers will etch some memories with this C7 ZR1 from start to finish. If I'm going for it, I want to savor the last moments in the world with the ultimate Corvette ever made. Consider it a happy ending.
Available Colors: Sebring Orange, Long Beach Red Tintcoat, Watkins Glen Metallic, Ceramic Matrix Gray Metallic, Arctic White, Blade Silver Metallic, Black, Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat, Torch Red, and Admiral Blue Metallic.
Photo: General Motors
