GM @ NAIAS '08: 2009 Corvette ZR1: Preliminary Specs

[Chris_Doane]

For release: Dec. 20, 2007, 12:01 a.m. EST

2009 CORVETTE ZR1 PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model:

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Body styles / driveline:

2-door hatchback coupe with fixed roof; rear-wheel drive

Construction:

composite and carbon-fiber body panels, hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components

Manufacturing location:

Bowling Green, Ky.

Engine

6.2L SUPERCHARGED V-8 (LS9)

Displacement (cu in / cc):

376 / 6162

Bore & stroke (in / mm):

4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92

Block material:

cast aluminum

Cylinder head material:

cast aluminum

Valvetrain:

overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder

Fuel delivery:

SFI (sequential fuel injection)

Compression ratio:

9.1:1

Horsepower / kW:

620 / 462 (est.)

Torque (lb-ft / Nm):

595 / 823 (est.)

Recommended fuel:

premium required

EPA estimated fuel economy:

TBD

Transmission

close-ratio six-speed manual

Application:

std

Gear ratios (:1):

First:

2.29

Second:

1.61

Third:

1.21

Fourth:

1.00

Fifth:

0.81

Sixth:

0.67

Reverse:

3.11

Final drive ratio:

3.42

Chassis / Suspension

Front:

short/long arm ( SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber

Rear:

short/long arm ( SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber

Traction control:

electronic traction control; active handling (Magnetic Selective Ride Control)

Brakes

Type:

front and rear power-assisted carbon-ceramic disc with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, cross-drilled rotors; ABS std.

Rotor diameter (in / mm):

front: 15.5 / 394
rear: 15 / 380

Wheels & Tires

Wheel size:

front: 19-inch x 10-inch

rear: 20-inch x 12-inch

Tires:

Michelin Pilot Sport 2

front: P285/30ZR19

rear: P335/25ZR20

Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm):

105.7 / 2685

Overall length (in / mm):

176.2 / 4476

Overall width (in / mm):

75.9 / 1928

Overall height (in / mm):

49 / 1244

Curb weight (lb / kg):

3350 / 1519 (est.)

Interior

Seating capacity:

2

Interior volume (cu ft / L):

52 / 1475 (all models)

Headroom (in / mm):

38 / 962 (all models)

Legroom (in / mm):

43 / 1092 (all models)

Shoulder room (in / mm):

55 / 1397 (all models)

Hip room (in / mm):

54 / 1371 (all models)

Capacities

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):

22 / 634

Fuel tank (gal / L):

18 / 68.1

Engine oil (qt / L):

12.5 / 11.8

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

[CaddyXLR-V]

Hopefully the weight is wrong. I was expecting this car to be lighter than a Z06, not heavier.

[Intrepidation]

How come they still use leaf springs in a car costings close to $100,000? I'm not to making fun of it, but what's the reason? Is it somehow better than other types of systems?

Edited December 20, 2007 by Dodgefan

[Chris_Doane]

Hopefully the weight is wrong.

It's not.

[quantum110]

How come they still use leaf springs in a car costings close to $100,000? I'm not to making fun of it, but what's the reason? Is it somehow better than other types of systems?

The ZO6 was already one of the best handling cars on the planet...why change a good thing?

[NOS2006]

I've got no words..

[VenSeattle]

How come they still use leaf springs in a car costings close to $100,000? I'm not to making fun of it, but what's the reason? Is it somehow better than other types of systems?

For $100k, I'll take an XLR-V instead.

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............................ not.

[Fletch Radford]

The ZO6 was already one of the best handling cars on the planet...why change a good thing?

The transverse leaf spring is cheaper than a coil spring setup, plus Chevy has been working with this since at least C4 maybe longer.

[Camino LS6]

The transverse leaf spring is cheaper than a coil spring setup, plus Chevy has been working with this since at least C4 maybe longer.

C3, I think.

It is a Vette thing. I suspect they found it to be weight saving, and likely works well with their approach to IRS. There may be other reasons - it is a long standing hallmark of the Vette strategy. I remember reading about it years ago, but the specifics have faded.

[VenSeattle]

C3, I think.

It is a Vette thing. I suspect they found it to be weight saving, and likely works well with their approach to IRS. There may be other reasons - it is a long standing hallmark of the Vette strategy. I remember reading about it years ago, but the specifics have faded.

I swear... there must be a wiki on everything....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette_leaf_springs

[Camino LS6]

I swear... there must be a wiki on everything....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette_leaf_springs

Nice find Ven, great article.

[04monteintimidator]

where do the extra 200 lbs come from? whats the purpose of all the carbon fiber and aluminum if this is heavier than the Z06? not to mention the 0.8 liter size difference in engines between the two... rather confusing altho im sure the supercharger and enormous brakes have something to do with that... but not 200 lbs worth

[Nick]

where do the extra 200 lbs come from? whats the purpose of all the carbon fiber and aluminum if this is heavier than the Z06? not to mention the 0.8 liter size difference in engines between the two... rather confusing altho im sure the supercharger and enormous brakes have something to do with that... but not 200 lbs worth

Well, one has to consider the supercharger/intercooler setup, the MSRC (which may or may not add weight over the non-MSRC setup on the Z06), and the larger wheels (especially outfitted in chrome.) That's where the bulk of the weight comes from.

The brakes are carbon-ceramic which are lighter than regular discs. The addons (splitters/diffusers/spoilers), while adding slightly extra weight, are made out of carbon fiber, so weight gain is insignificant.

[quantum110]

It is a Vette thing.

Was a W-Body thing too...but the cars were too heavy and the spring wore out too quickly.

[Justin Bimmer]

I thought the G body Seville/STS had the transverse leafs in the rear of the car as well???