Corvette "Blue Devil" gets a familiar name: ZR1
by Alex Nunez on Sep 4th 2007 at 10:02PM 
Motor Trend reports that the upcoming Corvette supercar will sport the ZR1 moniker when it's finally unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Interchangeably dubbed "Blue Devil," "SS," and "Z07" by the automotive media until now, the car will feature a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 introduced in the 2008 'Vette. Look for power and pricing significantly higher than that of the current top-dog Corvette Z06. Don't worry, the Z06 won't go away. The 505-horse car will simply become Corvette's midrange offering. Man, it's gonna be a party atmosphere in Cobo when they unveil this thing...Thanks for the tip, Jarrod.
[Source: Motor Trend Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rob 10:05PM (9/04/2007)
Oh, I was hoping for HHC - High heritage coupe!
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SPG 2:18AM (9/05/2007)
Ha!
Nice.
Dru 8:40PM (9/16/2007)
Now that GM has decided to use ZR1 and not Stingray, as reported last Oct as a possible name for the new ultra-uber Corvette (http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/04/spy-shots-corvette-ss-z07-stingray-caught/).
I would like to bring up the possibility of kappa based 2+2 chevy coupe with either a supercharged high feature 3.6 liter V6 or the LS3 V8 (300 plus hp), called the Chevrolet Stingray.
This clips from youtube of a mallet V8 sky should convince GM that this car would be soo sweet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoxPtqZOY_k
It would slot nicely between Sky/Solstice and Corvette and compete with Porsche Cayman (which I love) and BMW Z4.
Comments?
icetraxx 10:09PM (9/04/2007)
I knew it! GM took out a new trademark for ZR-1 last year but nobody picked up on this, I believe I even sent it in as a tip to autoblog awhile ago...
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Dodge 8:42AM (9/05/2007)
I'm glad, Corvette SS sounded really stupid
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MarkP 11:53AM (9/05/2007)
I'm all for the return of the ZR-1 name!
http://www.CorvetteActionCenter.com/specs/zr1/
z06vette 10:27PM (9/04/2007)
Thats cool.. Makes sense though, keep the name that people know and back in the day the ZR1 was just bad! I had a friend that had one, and thats all he would talk about it!
http://www.z06vette.com
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Stealth E34 11:02PM (9/04/2007)
I was liking the sound of Corvette SS, but I guess then ZR1 leaves the door open for an even more powerful version... 700hp? Muwahahahhah!
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Phillip 11:03PM (9/04/2007)
Didnt motortrend also say it was to be called the SS a few months back? Ill wait until GM releases something.
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narcszm 11:56PM (9/04/2007)
Very appropriate. Never a fan of the "SS" moniker on the Corvette, I think this is a wise decision as "ZR-1" stands for ludicrous power and top-range speed. As Pirelli says, power is nothing without control. The current Z06 is traction limited in most situations; I don't expect the new ZR-1 to turn appreciably higher lap times, but rest assured this will be the new box-stock drag-strip monster.
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Dave 1:03AM (9/05/2007)
They should wait for the Ultra V8 to use the ZR1 designation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Ultra_Engine
Not that there is anything wrong with the LS3. Just that ZR1 is associated in people's minds with DOHC.
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mk 2:54PM (9/05/2007)
I'll second that.
ZR1 was a non-SBC-pushrod, DOHC engined corvette, in addition to being top-line, and very powerful. A bit more than just a name-plate at the top of the list.
I am not bashing the SBC. I am just referring to history.
I would hope that ZR1 would again be an over-head cam powerhouse alternative to the rest of the corvette lineup, rather than just one more step above Z06, for the sake of bragging rights over "mere" Z06 and 'base' corvette owners.
F451 1:14AM (9/05/2007)
Positively an American legacy automobile to be proud of.
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TriShield 6:42PM (9/16/2007)
Excellent choice of moniker for an exceptional automobile.
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SPG 2:19AM (9/05/2007)
Blue Devil sounded awesome but ZR1 tugs at the hearstrings of my generation.
I was like 12 when that car came out.
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roscoe 4:46AM (9/05/2007)
Don't believe motor trend they said the F430 Scuderia was going to be named the "light pista", so take what ever they say with a poorly written grain of salt.
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meshies 5:52AM (9/05/2007)
Absolutely perfect. I like 1000 times better than blue devil or SS. Absolutlely perfect, it sure does sound good: "2009 Corvette ZR1" aww man.
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cowbell 7:36AM (9/05/2007)
"Man, it's gonna be a party atmosphere in Cobo when they unveil this thing." That line got me thinking.
During the 75th podcast, you guys were talking about the ipod promotion Autoblog did around the 50th podcast, and that you guys should do another promotion. I have a great idea for a very cheap contest for you (and one that I would love to win):
You should hold a contest for someone to attend the media days at an autoshow with the Autoblog crew. How else could we be there for the party when they unveil the ZR1?
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Ivy League Educated 8:39AM (9/05/2007)
"6.2-liter LS3 V8"
Low tech fat engine for low tech fat people. =)
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danms6 8:54AM (9/05/2007)
Haha, troll much? Everyone is well aware of the huge power, high efficiency and relatively low weight of the LS engines.