Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Supercars, Chevrolet, GM
2009 Corvette ZR1 starts at $103,300
by John Neff on Jun 17th 2008 at 10:32AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Corvette ZR1
General Motors and Chevrolet have just released all their official numbers for the 2009 Corvette ZR1 and... hold on to your butts... its base MSRP (including destination charges) will be $103,300. Add to that a $1,700 Gas guzzler tax, $2,000 for chrome wheels and another $10,000 for the only Option package available that adds upgraded seats, side air bags, Bose audio, a nav system, Bluetooth, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and leather-wrapped interior, and you're looking at a grand total of $117,000. We believe that may make the Corvette ZR1 the most expensive product ever offered by GM, but consider what you get. The ZR1 is a 638-hp supercar that can reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, run the quarter mile in 11.3 seconds at 131 mph (!) and top out at 205 mph, all while returning 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Unfortunately, Chevy didn't hit its target of having the most fuel-efficient supercar on earth with the ZR1, as they admit that the Dodge Viper (13/22) and Porsche GT3 (15/22) are a bit less thirsty. Of course, they're neither as powerful nor as fast, and the Porsche is more expensive. The ZR1 will likely be marked up by dealers far above its $117k asking price, but kudos to General Motors anyway for having the balls to build it.
[Source: Chevy]
PRESS RELEASE
Corvette ZR1 By The Numbers
Chevrolet announces performance results and pricing for the new ultimate-performance Corvette
DETROIT – The official Corvette ZR1 numbers are in and they're good. Very good:
- $103,300 MSRP (including $850 destination charge)
- EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14 city and 20 highway
- 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds
- 0-100 mph in 7.0 seconds
- Quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph
"The ZR1 is an incredible machine by any measure," said Ed Peper, North American Vice President, Chevrolet. "There's simply no other vehicle in the world that does a better job of balancing performance, price and fuel economy."
Performance perspective
The Corvette ZR1's 0-60 performance is 0.3-second quicker than the already-quick Corvette Z06 and the 0-100-mph performance is nearly a full second quicker - 7 seconds vs. the Z06's 7.9 seconds. It is performance that is equal to or better than many super cars costing substantially more.
"A favorable power-to-weight ratio gives the ZR1 an advantage over the competition and performance that has to be experienced to fully appreciate," said Tom Wallace, Corvette chief engineer. "Of course, on a racetrack, drivers of competitors' cars may appreciate the ZR1 in a whole different manner."
And the racetrack isn't the only place where the ZR1 trumps its super-car competitors – it beats them at the gas pump, too. According to fueleconomy.gov, the ZR1's EPA-rated 14 city and 20 highway mileage ratings beat 2008 competitors such as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (11 city / 15 highway); the Lamborghini Murcielago (8 city / 13 highway) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (12 city / 19 highway). They're competitive with the Dodge Viper (13 city / 22 highway) and the Porsche 911 GT3 (15 city / 22 highway).
Under the carbon-fiber hood
A new LS9 6.2L supercharged small-block engine powers the ZR1's performance capability. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components support high-rpm performance, while a new, sixth-generation supercharger (and complementing charge-cooling system) helps the LS9 make big power and torque across the rpm range. The engine is hand-assembled at GM's Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Mich.
In addition to the LS9 engine, the ZR1 is a technology powerhouse, designed with lightweight and unique components that reinforce its performance with a confidant feel on either a highway or road course.
Options
The standard ZR1 comes with accoutrements based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The available uplevel interior package includes power-adjustable, heated and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); side air bags; Bose premium audio system; navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; power telescoping steering column; custom leather-wrapped interior available in four colors and more. Chrome wheels are the only other available option on the ZR1. Detailed pricing noted below.
$103,300 Base MSRP including destination
$1,700 Gas guzzler tax
$10,000 Option package
$2,000 Chrome wheels
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category. Chevy cars and trucks have expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
jp 10:39AM (6/17/2008)
Sweet car for those who can afford it. If not....How about the CTS-V with 556 HP for around 60K a little easier on the pocket book and holds 4 people! GM both are awesome!!!!!!
Reply
User 12:34PM (6/17/2008)
Ask yourself this:
Corvette or R8?
Personally, I'd buy the R8.
Ligor 12:45PM (6/17/2008)
I agree, both are awesome,
ant to the guys that'd pick up the R8, just make sure you have at least two more Audi's parked in your garage so that when two are in the shop the 3rd one might be running and getting you to work
this will tear up the R8 no qusetion
meshies 1:35PM (6/17/2008)
I would buy the CTS-V with no question. Also, WHY IN THE HELL didint they offer the recaro's for this bad boy? I HATE the corvette seats.
AkulaX1 2:36PM (6/17/2008)
R8 or ZR1 is this a serious question? ZR1
Russell 2:43PM (6/17/2008)
Personally, Z06 is my choice and better bang for the buck.
Kiiks 6:16PM (6/17/2008)
Yeah That CTS-V is something else. Hey lets take bets on how soon we see a post on some rich f*** or idiot valet that crashed the ZR1?
$20 says by the end of the weekend!
sw 10:29AM (6/20/2008)
The R8 would run with it's tail between it's legs. The only competition that I would see coming would be the GTR V-Spec
rsfourever 10:41AM (6/17/2008)
This is not the most expensive GM offering ever. the H1 Hummer was much more expensive - could go up to $150K or maybe even $200K (optioned out) if i remember correctly
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icu812ru469 10:49AM (6/17/2008)
The real and only Hummer was the Schwarzeneggar Hummer and that was never a GM product. All the current Hummers are in name only and should not be confused with real Hummers. With that said the ZR-1 is one bad ass car but it's got to be in the right hands to even reach those number potentials... I can see regular Joes in the GT-R kicking this thing's butt....
Joe K. 11:02AM (6/17/2008)
Actually the H1 Alpha was pretty damn close to a GM product considering the Duramax Diesel and the Allison Transmission. It was different (and in many ways better) than the H1's prior. Those started in the 130's (sold with options for 156k) and were marked up to whatever the dealer could hold. I worked for a Hummer dealer when they were availible and personally sold 2 of them to our clients. Thank God I am out of that business now, but it was fun while it lasted...
rsfourever 10:43AM (6/17/2008)
Also, from the "About Chevrolet" blurb:
"With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above."
the leader in sales of vehicles prices 35K and above? you sure about that? I think it's the opposite, leader in sales of vehilces priced 35K and under...
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Dan 8:35PM (6/17/2008)
and i think you're retarded, but either way it doesn't matter.
considering they sell a lot of trucks and suv's, which 95% probably sell for more than 35k, its no wonder that chevrolet says this. next time, stfu, and think.
David Thompson 12:01PM (6/17/2008)
Pretty much every Tahoe and Suburban sells for over $35k, and so do a good chunk of Silverados. Given the total collapse of the large truck and SUV segments of late, that stat may not be true anymore. Under $35k is probably Toyota territory, thanks to the tidal wave of Corollas and Camrys.
DS 10:43AM (6/17/2008)
I can't believe I'm saying this but... I think I'd rather have the CTS-V
Reply
Allan 10:43AM (6/17/2008)
What are the mileage numbers on the GT-R (or Spec-V)? I really don't recall.
I don't think I could see myself spending $100k+ on a Corvette though. Even if I did actually have the $$.
Reply
Shardm 1:30PM (6/17/2008)
Umm.. I don't think they are marketing the car towards you if you're comparing mileage numbers
montoym 7:18PM (6/17/2008)
The EPA site doesn't show any official numbers yet. But, I'm going to make an assumption. The GT-R mechanically is quite similar to the Porsche 911 Turbo. Both have about 480HP, are AWD and have turbocharged 6cyl. engines. Going by the EPA numbers for the Turbo, the GT-R should be around 15/23/18.
But, for 150 more HP, the ZR1 pulling down similar mileage figures is not bad.
ALso, on another subject, I was a bit surprised that the Viper is rated at 22mpg hwy. But then again, I recalled it also has an extra-long 6th gear like the lesser Vettes to make it a lazy highway cruiser. The ZR1 has closer ratios and does without a 0.50:1 6th gear. With a higher 6th gear, the ZR1 should be able to eclipse 22mpg easily and take the crown as the most efficient supercar. But, with productiona lready started, I don't see them making any changs.
User 7:41PM (6/17/2008)
Just because you can afford a $100,000 car doesn't mean you don't care about the gas mileage. If you live here in the bay area, $100,000 isn't that much money. And even if you had a billion dollars it would still matter to you. Once an investor, always an investor. David Filo drives a Prius.
vetter 3:10PM (6/23/2008)
poeple you think about this fact the z06 has 505hp does 198-199 the zr-1 has 638hp and a top speed of 205 the people at chevy are jerking are chains if you understand car math it takes 50 hp to get 10mph zr-1 does 215mph at least