GM brought out a prototype of the upcomming 09 ZR1 at Laguna Seca for the ALMS race this weekend. Word is that it ran a 1:39 lap, which is specualtion. Looks pretty sweet from what of it wasn’t covered. Should be interesting to see the specs on it when it comes out.
zr1 of the past was a 32 valve 4 cam v8 designed by lotus if I’m not mistaken…the new zr1 is gm designed I believe and from the specs it looks similar to the new ls3 and the motors from the escalade(lq9 i think it is) im sure someone else knows more about this motor than i do…
:jawdrop: I want it! That thing looks like it owned the track, super well possitioned. I’m guessing the paint job is to help hide the bulge in the hood, for s/c clearence. I like the black roof.
Not sure, but either way its most likely just a mule anyways (in which case they’d just modify a ZO6). could just be testing suspension/weight/handling issues more than engine and trans.
woah, no way you say that its just a modified ZO6… really?
also if testing any of the three things you have just mentioned a proper drive train would need to be in the vehicle, as they effect suspension weight and handling of a vehicle.
Immediately prior to the release of the second generation Small-Block, General Motors released a largely unrelated engine which also used the LT name. The LT5 was a special engine indeed. Head Engineer, Terry D. Stinson, led the project. It was an all-aluminum 349 in³ (5.7 L) small-block V8, but was entirely different from any of the other Chevrolet 350 engines. The bore and stroke were both different at 3.9 by 3.66 in (99 by 93 mm) instead of the usual 4 by 3.48 in (102 by 88 mm) and it featured Lotus-designed 32-valve DOHC heads. It was hand built by specialty engine builder, Mercury Marine. This engine produced 375 hp (280 kW) and 370 ft·lbf (502 Nm) for the 1990-1992 Corvette ZR-1 and jumped to 405 hp (302 kW) and 385 ft·lbf (522 Nm) for 1993 to its final year in 1995, thanks to cam timing changes and improvements to the engine porting. 1993 also added 4-bolt main bearing caps and an exhaust gas recirculation system. The engine was not used in any other vehicle.
If they are going to make “another” corvette that is supposedly going to be different in spec, they really should change the styling somewhat… Same with the mustangs.
I’d like to hear more about the weight. Seems hard to believe they could shave 300 lbs when the Z06 is mostly carbon fiber and only weighs 3200lbs, and with the added weight of the supercharger…however if this is true a 2900lb car with 600hp is gonna be just about untouchable.
Woah, I guess you just answered your own question douchenozzle
And there is tons of testing that goes on. Not all of it has to be a complete ZR1. If they really wanted the whole feel, it would be a real ZR1 prototype, not a mule. If they’re getting down to 2900lbs for a test mule, thats pretty fucking impressive.
