We didn't think we would get a glimpse of it until January at the Detroit Auto Show, but Jalopnik has obtained official photographs of the LS9 V8 that will power the 2009 ZR1 Corvette. The images show that the LS9 is a supercharged version of the 6.2L LS3 V8 like we previously reported. One photo also illustrates in detail a unique integrated twin intercooler that sits atop the supercharger. While it may not have the official name, the blue accents on the engine cover hint at the "Blue Devil" moniker by which we referred the car for some time before switching to the official ZR1 name. While specifications haven't been released yet (we're guessing it will offer somewhere in the neighborhood of 650 HP), just seeing the images of the LS9 gets us even more excited for the ZR1's official debut in January.
[Source: Jalopnik, Digital Corvettes]
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
In the Autoblog Garage: Aprilia RSV 1000 R
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
amastadon @ Nov 26th 2007 11:08PM
Wow! Looks pretty awesome!
Paul P. @ Nov 26th 2007 11:12PM
It's really a pretty boring looking engine, especially with that cover on there.
My '03 Cobra with it's blower mounted on top looks a lot better. However, I don't think a setup like that would fit under the hood of a vette.
PandaBeat @ Nov 27th 2007 12:22AM
Truthness.
Creeper @ Nov 26th 2007 11:12PM
this motor makes me cry tears of joy.
RobZ4 @ Nov 26th 2007 11:21PM
Very sweet...this will heat up the never ending battle between the Corvette and the Viper...stay tuned for more to come.
Russell @ Nov 26th 2007 11:24PM
Superchargers are not as good as turbos, but I guess its easier to package them and are cheaper.
Paul P. @ Nov 27th 2007 12:18AM
"not as good" depends on what you're trying to achieve. A blower is great for low end torque (making a F/I engine feel like a larger N/A engine), it's also a more compact setup for a V8, and usually cheaper to produce. There will surely be aftermarket Turbo setups, but for what chevy is trying to achieve the blower is perfect.
Mike @ Nov 28th 2007 1:25AM
Matt,
Hate to piss on your soap but the Cobra R from 8 years ago made 385 under rated horsepower from an engine with 1.6 less liters of displacement than the current Z06.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 26th 2007 11:25PM
My only regret is it isn't all-motor.
Blowers are for Fords.
Mark @ Nov 26th 2007 11:30PM
Bottles are for Fords, real men get blown. ;)
Matt @ Nov 27th 2007 1:57PM
"My only regret is it isn't all-motor.
Blowers are for Fords."
True, but GM already proved that they can make a 500+ motor without any help. I think the closest Ford gets is ~325hp.
Mike @ Nov 28th 2007 1:28AM
My response about the Cobra R was in response to Matt's response and ended up in the wrong place.
meshies @ Nov 26th 2007 11:31PM
Amazing. I love the integrated design of all the components.
J.Crew @ Nov 27th 2007 12:01AM
GM is on fire right now. I can't wait to see this car in January.
Dustin @ Nov 27th 2007 12:08AM
Well I have and do drive chevy LS# engines, and still...
I believe autoblog owes me a pair of pants for these photos
TEM @ Nov 27th 2007 12:25AM
Sweet, sweet, sweet....
Max @ Nov 27th 2007 12:28AM
That is an unusual intercooler. The small size, and ports on the back have me wondering if its a water-to-air intercooler. That would be pretty awesome if it was.
Thetruck454 @ Nov 27th 2007 12:51AM
It is a air to water intercooler ;-)
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 27th 2007 2:13AM
Technically, it's half of an air-water-air intercooler. Without the other air-water heat exchanger (the one that's usually mounted at the front of the car) it's not an intercooler at all!
chris @ Nov 27th 2007 12:29AM
Why are they using a supercharger that'll get way too hot with track use and make the car useless instead of a couple turbochargers? It's not like this is like that Mustang GT500 that's only good for drag racing (and isn't even good at that) is it? There's a good reason why Ford GT owners are swapping the superchargers for turbos, and why the only other performance cars that use superchargers are the Exige S and Koenigseggs while everything from the Mini Cooper S to the 911 GT2 and Veyron use turbos.