Click above for a high-res gallery of the Corvette ZR1.
Corvette ZR1 chief engineer Tadge Juechter recently sat down to participate in a live chat on GMNext to answer questions about Chevy's new supercar, with topics ranging from fuel-economy to production numbers.
GM hasn't run its fuel economy test yet, but in a previous release from the General, it expects the ZR1 to be the most fuel-efficient 600-hp vehicle on the market. Juechter did say that the ZR1, "will be somewhat less [fuel-efficient] than a Z06," which is currently rated at 15/24 by the EPA, "and we expect a small gas-guzzler tax [on the ZR1]." Production will be limited to 2,000 units each year for worldwide consumption and pricing will be revealed sometime this month.
Juechter went on to say that ZR1 accessories wouldn't be made available for lesser Corvette models, so buyers won't be able to option up for carbon-ceramic brakes or Michelin tires on their Z06s. When asked if engineers considered all-wheel-drive for the ZR1, he emphasized that making the vehicle as lightweight as possible was a top priority and that an AWD system "would have added too much mass." And on the topic of price gouging by dealers, Juechter said only one thing: "We're strongly encouraging dealers to charge MSRP." Good luck on that.
[Source: InsideLine]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Hank @ May 6th 2008 4:36PM
"When asked if engineers considered all-wheel-drive for the ZR1, he emphasized that making the vehicle as lightweight as possible was a top priority and that an AWD system "would have added too much mass." "
Colin Chapman smiles from the beyonds
adding lightness is such a lost art on modern cars today
Justin @ May 6th 2008 4:52PM
true, not to mention the zr1 is a good bit heavier than the z06, which (outside of the mass of the supercharger and related parts) I don't understand since its supposed to have more lightweight material.
Michael @ May 6th 2008 4:37PM
"And on the topic of price gouging by dealers, Juechter said only one thing: "We're strongly encouraging dealers to charge MSRP." Good luck on that."
Yeah. Have fun with that one!
Paul P. @ May 6th 2008 4:40PM
2,000 units world wide?
I'm guessing we'll probably see a starting price in the $200,000 range. *sigh*
Dan @ May 6th 2008 4:41PM
The definition of a weekend toy. Most of these won't see 2000 gallons through the lines in their lifetimes. And they get hit with a "gas guzzler" tax.
While a Prius that in all likelyhood will put on 150K miles and burn 4000 gallons in the process is "environmentally responsible" and not only not taxed, you get a tax credit and a HOV pass.
Love it!
John Doe @ May 6th 2008 4:52PM
Go back to school kid if that's how you compare ZR1 to the Prius.
mrx3m3 @ May 6th 2008 5:03PM
I think he was being sarcastic...
And if so, he has a point -
(all these high performance "gas guzzling" cars put together, will make negligible impact to climate warming or global oil fuel consumption, when compared to millions of supposedly efficient mainstream vehicles)
tekdemon @ May 6th 2008 5:20PM
It's still a silly comparison though, since nothing actually stops you from daily drivering a gas hog. Are we going to put mileage limits on cars now so they can avoid the gas guzzler tax? That way your Bentley Arnage will have to pay because you're getting chauffered everyday in it, but your weekender Veyron doesn't have to pay?
And anyways, his comparison was mostly just a random attack on Prius drivers. Those Prius' are people's daily drivers, so unless the ZR1 driver is walking to work on the weekdays he's still driving something else.
And why can't you be a Prius' driver on the weekdays who has a ZR1 on the weekends?
mk @ May 6th 2008 5:52PM
Do the math...
2000 units daily driven is still less than hundreds of thousands of units of Prii, or other fuel efficient tax incentivized vehicles that will burn a lot more fuel, albeit at a slower rate.
The chances of a ZR1, or a hi-powered Porsche, Ferrari, or other sporting car being daily drivers is nearly nil.
rate is not the only thing that should be taken into account, but rather factoring in frequency to find total volume.
And rationalizing a *gas-guzzler* tax on the theory that even when the car isn't running, a driver will drive something else, is a completely falacious argument. You can't justify taxation by what someone *might* do with OTHER products that are not the directly taxed object.
Personally, I think gas guzzling taxes are worthless anyway, but that is just me. It is merely worse that they are figured with no intelligence.
2000 units world wide is almost certain to keep ZR1s off the road as much as practical, while still enjoying them sparingly.
What kills me, is that there will probably a few people who will capsule these cars, and they won't see any mileage, which goes against the purpose of building and buying a car. If one would want something like that, why not just commission a rolling mock-up without a running engine, or real tires, suspension or other things.
It will be interesting to see.
glen_eigo @ May 6th 2008 6:09PM
But, the people who can afford these types of cars are:
1. not going to care about a gas guzzler tax.
2. probably paying a premium anyway just for the exclusitivity of the car.
AC @ May 6th 2008 4:53PM
a quote from a corvette forum:
======================
Well, some of you folks told me it would happen, I just didn't want to believe you. As it turns out, Huffines Chevy in Plano showed their true colors. Just under a year ago I met with the Sales Manager and General Manager and started the ZR-1 list. They assured me at that time, and for many months thereafter that they would sell me the car at MSRP. Their montra was that "Mr. Huffines Policy is to never sell a car over MSRP. Well, about two weeks ago the proved what that policy was worth.
Not only are they not going sell me the car at MSRP, they are not going to sell me the car at all. In a meeting with the GM (John Joast) I was told, "Sorry, but we've decided to tear up the list and we are going to sell our cars on Ebay". When I asked "what happened to our deal, your assertion that Ray Huffines policy was to never sell over MSRP and your assurances that this wouldn't happen," he answered "we've made a business decision and I don't car what Ray Huffines policy is, I run this dealership".
=========================
buy American! and the economy you safe might just be yours! (ha.. right)
plenty of other cars to buy that can perform just as good/better with tune ups with all that marks up.
on top of that.. ZR1 has only been making performance claim with their (SC engine/break/exclusive tire) spec, and the only proof that shows all those stuffs works together so far is nothing but that 7:40 Nur run..
Franz @ May 6th 2008 5:30PM
Only 2000 units available worldwide will ensure that this beast gets marked way up... probably as much as 50% over sticker. A (potentially) $150k stock Corvette? No thanks... gimme an LPE tuned C6 with twin Garrett turbos and 800hp instead.
race1foru @ May 6th 2008 5:47PM
Renegging on a deal is just about the worst thing you can do. Having said that, and being a fellow GM dealer, I will tell you that the GM putting this vehicle on ebay is going to allow the dealership to show a month in the black, which is probably another one of Mr. Huffine's policies (and probably much higher up on his list of priorities). It is still unfortunate to hear someone go back on their word.
rouse42 @ May 6th 2008 9:30PM
serial number 1 actually went for $1,080,000
a million for the car and then 8% auction fee.
if you have that kind of cash to spend on one of these then you can buy another for a $150,000 and drive that one.
this car will probably show up at barrett jackson in 20 yrs and go for 10 million
AC @ May 6th 2008 5:02PM
1 million for the first 2009 ZR1? if I may...
IT'S ONLY A CORVETTE.
go buy a Koenigsegg or something.
bob d @ May 6th 2008 5:09PM
I hope Chevy dealers learn from Ford's mistake with the Ford GT. When it came out, I contacted my local Ford dealer who I had purchased cars from in the past. I wanted to know the process or possibility of ordering one. I was contacted by the head of sales by phone. He told me, quite literally in so many words, "don't even talk to me if you aren't willing to pay 100 grand over MSRP".
I told him thank you very much and I haven't considered another Ford since. When the Shelby came out, I didn't even make a call.
True story.
AC @ May 6th 2008 5:13PM
and Pontiac's GTO... but some people don't learn from others.
porschedevotee @ May 7th 2008 2:44AM
Well, they're choking on it now. The Ford dealership in Redwood City (Bay Area, California) has had a dark blue GT sitting in the window for months, if not years at this point. Oh, and to MK from an earlier thread, there are plenty of people who have extremely expensive cars as their DDs. If you go to the Bay Area or New York, you'll see plenty of Porsches, high-end Mercedes, Bentleys, and the occasional Ferrari or Lamborghini getting daily-driven. Does the fact that these cars are gas hogs bother the drivers? Possibly. Can they afford to pay the gas guzzler tax? Almost certainly. Everything has a price - it's just your choice if you think it's worth paying or not.
Gregory Anderson @ May 6th 2008 5:16PM
Everyone who buys one of these will be RAPED by his/her dealer.
AMcA @ May 6th 2008 11:51PM
Some folks don't mind being raped.