The 2009 ZR1 Corvette

les GM has produced in the last 20 years -- an outrageous, fire-breathing Corvette pushing some 650 horsepower. These are the latest and greatest spy shots of Chevrolet's ultimate Vette, which we recently reported will be called ZR1.

Taken from Motor Trend
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Automobile Magazine

For the 2008 model year, Chevy's base model Corvette coupe and convertible get a few notches closer to reaching the performance bar set by their outrageously fast Z06 brother. Last year's LS2 6.0-liter V-8 has been spit out of the fiberglass engine compartment in favor of an all-new, all-aluminum, structurally enhanced, 6.2-liter unit.

The LS3, as the new engine is called, is SAE certified at 430 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque with the standard exhaust system, or 436 hp and 428 lb-ft with an optional dual-mode exhaust. Its redline is a lofty (for a pushrod engine) 6600 rpm, just 400 rpm shy of the Z06's 7000-rpm maximum speed.

It doesn't just rev like the Z06's V-8, in fact the LS3 borrows some technology from the Z06's LS7 7.0-liter, including its cylinder head design and fuel injectors. With the same stroke as the previous 6.0-liter, the new engine's increased displacement comes from an increase in bore - 103.3 mm instead of 101.6 mm. Its intake valves are nine percent larger than the old engine's, and are lifted five percent higher by a new camshaft.

The LS3 should sound better and more refined than the old engine due to an acoustically tuned intake manifold and engine cover. The sounds coming from the 376 cu. in. V-8 are then piped through 2.5-inch exhaust tubing, a half-inch smaller than the Z06's.

With a coefficient of drag of just 0.286, the base Corvette is now good for 190 mph, but it's not just the numbers that improve - the '08 Corvette comes with tactile improvements as well. Shift feel improves on both six-speed transmissions. The automatic (which is available with a lower axle ratio on Z51 package cars) can bang off shifts more quickly than before, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds, the fastest ever for a two-pedal Corvette.

Steering feel should be improved, too, due to the use of an improved machining process, and 2008 models come with new split-spoke cast aluminum wheels (measuring eighteen inches in diameter up front, nineteen in the rear).

Look for improvements in the interior too, including brushed aluminum accents, new sill plates, and available custom leather upholstery. On-Star and XM radio are now standard equipment, as are auto-dimming mirrors, compass, and an iPod jack for cars without navigation.

Two new colors are offered for 2008 - Jetstream Blue Metallic Tincoat and Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat. And last but not least, the Keyless Access remote key fob is redesigned.

With every passing year, changes to the Corvette make it an even more compelling alternative to supercars costing two and three times as much. We expect a supercharged version of the LS3 to debut in the 2009 model year Corvette SS, the long-rumored 650-hp Blue Devil. Drivers' licenses everywhere will quiver in fear when that beast hits the road!

2008 Chevrolet Corvette

Automotive News
by Richard Truett

Faster, more luxurious and probably more expensive

For 2008, the Chevrolet Corvette is getting a boost in performance, more luxury features and, most likely, a higher price.

The changes are coming three years after the introduction of the current sixth-generation body style. They are aimed at keeping the Corvette ahead of the performance-car pack amid stiffening competition, says John Rydzewski, the Corvette's assistant chief engineer.

General Motors made the announcement Friday at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

The new standard engine for the Corvette is a 6.2-liter aluminum push-rod V-8 called the LS3. It's rated at 430 hp and replaces the LS2, a 6.0-liter that made 400 hp.

When ordered with the optional two-mode exhaust system, horsepower rises to 436. The superhigh-performance Corvette Z06 returns for 2008, still boasting 505 hp.

The two-mode exhaust system has a valve that opens when the engine is accelerating hard. The valve reduces the pressure of the exhaust flowing through the system.

Despite the bump in power, Corvette's fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 28 highway is not affected, says Rydzewski. Emissions are lower, moving the new engine into a cleaner EPA certification category, he says.

The 2008 Corvette reaches 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph, GM says.

New Corvette engines are somewhat rare.

With the exception of the original Blue Flame six-cylinder engine, few Corvette motors have had shorter production runs than the LS2.

Says Rydzewski: "We were working on the next level of emission upgrades for the engine. And at the same time, the work we were doing would allow us to go one notch up on the competition.

"It's the right time for us to put this engine into production. We have a good product, and we want to get it out to the customers."

Other changes include upgrades to the manual and automatic transmissions. GM says the six-speed manual offers more positive gear changes, while the paddle-shifted automatic has new hardware and a new controller that delivers faster shifts when the driver presses the shift buttons on the steering wheel.

New features that were optional in 2007 and will be standard include OnStar with navigation, XM radio and mirrors that dim automatically. The interior also has been made more luxurious with bright trim on the center console and door sills.

Production of the 2008 Corvette begins in late July with sales scheduled to start in late August. Chevrolet has not announced prices. The 2007 Corvette Coupe starts at $44,995 including delivery charges.

Carconnection.com

Bigger small-block power arrives in the Corvette for the 2008 model year. The latest edition of the 'Vette Coupe and Convertible, Chevrolet says, will get a version of GM's 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque.

The Z06 edition returns with a 7.0-liter V-8 with 505 horsepower. There's no word yet of the seemingly mythical "Blue Devil" Corvette seen in spy shots and rumored at auto shows, though.

The 'Vette's new base engine has an optional twin-mode exhaust that bumps power up to 436 hp and powers it to 190 mph. With the six-speed paddle-shifted automatic, Chevrolet says this is the fastest automatic Corvette ever, capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The six-speed manual remains available.

Other mechanical updates to the 'Vette include a revised power steering system, and a new split-spoke wheel design with a "Sparkle Silver" finish.

The 'Vette's interior gets dressed in a new optional custom leather design for the 2008 model year. The two-tone trim complements new instrument panel trim and sill plates. Standard features on all Corvettes now includes OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation; XM satellite radio; auto-dimming rearview mirrors; and an audio input jack on all audio systems except those with navigation (it's a dealer accessory on those systems).

2007 Corvette Convertible will pace the 91st Indy 500

2007 Corvette Indy Pace Car only 500 built - Now Taking Deposits

For the fourth year in a row and the ninth time overall, Corvette will serve as the official pace car for the 2007 Indianapolis 500. And for the first time since 1998, a production replica will be available!

A 2007 Chevrolet Corvette convertible will pace the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007. As it was selected as the Official Pace Car, Chevrolet will supply several identically prepared and uniquely trimmed Corvette convertibles - in new Atomic Orange paint with distinctive gold ribbon graphics - that will serve in the official pace duties of the race, as well as supporting activities.

Five hundred production replicas of those official cars will be offered to the public - all of them convertibles. They'll be available beginning this spring.

The distinguishing features of the pace car replica convertibles include:

• Atomic Orange exterior color, including door handles
• Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics - including gold ribbon graphics that flow outward from the front fender vents and "Indianapolis 500" door logos
• Special Indianapolis 500 fender badges
• Z06 rear spoiler
• New aluminum "split-spoke" wheels in Sterling Silver
• Ebony seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos
• Interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange
• Atomic Orange engine covers

All of the pace car replicas are equipped with the Corvette's standard LS2 small-block V-8 and Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. The navigation system with Bose audio, as well as OnStar, is standard.

Pricing for the pace car replica convertible is $66,995 MSRP, including destination. The paddle-shift six-speed automatic is the only option, which brings the price to $68,245.

The performance-bred Corvette handles its official pace duties in nearly factory-stock trim, with little more than race track-required safety equipment and strobe lights added - as well as, of course, the eye-catching graphics. In years past, many Indy pace cars required extensive modification to perform their on-track tasks. The 2007 Corvette's powertrain and suspension, including the 400-horsepower (298 kW) LS2 small-block V-8 engine, are more than adequate to maintain the speed, acceleration and handling required to lead the pack around the famed "Brickyard" race track.

This year marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. The previous years were 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It also is a record fourth consecutive turn for the Corvette, as well as a record 18th time for a Chevrolet, to be selected as the pace car.

Production replicas were not offered every time the Corvette was selected as the pace car. In fact, 2007 marks the first time Chevrolet has offered a regular-production replica since 1998. But along with the regular-production models, several dozen copies of all the pace cars have been used for official activities in support of their respective Indianapolis 500 races, such as parades. These cars - known as "festival" cars - have become prized collectibles, along with the limited-edition regular-production replicas.

Les Stanford Chevrolet Cadillac will have an allocation of about 10 Indy Pace Cars available to its customers. Orders and deposits are currently being accepted and are sure to go fast. If you are interested in owning one, contact Rick Daniel right away. Our allocation will be sold very quickly.

Legendary Ron Fellows Celebrated with a Special Corvette Z06

2007 Ron Fellows Special Edition Z06 only 333 built

Marking his championship tenure with Corvette Racing's GT1-class domination in the ALMS, Corvette racing living legend Ron Fellows is celebrated with a specially prepared 2007 Corvette Z06 production model. All are distinguished by Arctic White paint (including the door handles) that is accented with a racing-style fender stripe and Ron Fellows' autograph.

"Ron Fellows is a part of Chevrolet's racing heritage, and he has been instrumental in the remarkable success of the Corvette Racing team in the American Le Mans Series," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "The special signature-series Z06 model that bears his name will forever link him to one of the greatest eras in factory racing, which has produced six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships, and counting."

The front fender graphics are reminiscent of the identifying graphics of the Corvette GT1 race car. They feature double Monterey Red Metallic stripes with Machine Silver borders and Fellows' autograph in a contrasting Victory Red shade, along with the callouts of the championship years when he was at the wheel. There is also a maple leaf logo motif incorporated with the graphics, a nod to Fellows' Canadian heritage. Indeed, the red-over-white color scheme of the car's paint and graphics represents Canada's colors.

This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette's 54-year history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. Only 399 are planned for production: approximately 300 for the United States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets.

Exterior cues include a full-width racing spoiler and a unique windshield banner. Additional standard equipment includes the well-equipped 2LZ package and chrome wheels. Special interior appointments include:

• Red seats, center console, door panels and instrument panel
• Red, leather-covered armrest with a Corvette-signature "cross flags" logo that is hand-signed and numbered by Ron Fellows
• Tech pattern interior trim

An accomplished road racer, Ron Fellows is inextricably woven into the Corvette Racing team's success. He helped test and develop the first Corvette C5.R race car and recorded the team's first win in 2000. Fellows also grabbed the ALMS GTS class championship in 2002 and shared that position in 2003 and '04. Fellows has been a part of all six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships for Chevrolet, and was voted the most popular ALMS driver in 2004 and '05. Additionally, he has slipped behind the wheel of NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy Monte Carlo SS race cars when the series hits road courses. He's also scored a pair of NASCAR Craftsman Truck series wins, three NASCAR Busch Series wins, 19 SCCA Trans Am wins and was the GM Player's Challenge champion in 1989.

The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 will be available this spring. It carries an MSRP of $77,500, including destination. OnStar and the navigation system are the only options; and when equipped with them, the price is $79,945.

Les Stanford Chevrolet Cadillac has an allotment of seven Ron Fellows edition Z06. All seven have been sold.