Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Euro, Supercars, Chevrolet, UK
Top Gear reviews ZR1, hard to get past Corvette looks
by Jonathon Ramsey on Sep 15th 2008 at 1:56PM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Corvette ZR1
Let's not beat around any shrubbery with this: Top Gear magazine has reviewed the Corvette ZR1, and the quotes you need to know are, "The dynamics are better than an Aston DBS...," and "...[M]ake no mistake. What we have here is one of the truly great supercars."
Of course, there are caveats: it looks like a Corvette, the interior doesn't match those of its supercar rivals and the steering could use more feel. The latter quip is why you get other critiques like "...you don't get the precision of a 599." To have a UK magazine critique a Corvette against a 599 is probably the opposite of the insult it might appear to be on the surface. But don't take our word for it, follow the link and read for yourself how the ZR1 has "the performance and the chassis to match an SLR 722." It's not a bad way to start the week...
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1
[Source: Top Gear]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
John 2:09PM (9/15/2008)
In other words, the same few things that are always an issue with the Vettes are still issues, but overall, its a brilliant car... Especially at its price point. Oh and FINALLY someone pointed out that pushrods are just fine, especially when they allow for more insanity to be stuffed under the hood.
Grats GM, you did something right... now do it right on the other end of the price range (and every place inbetween) and you'll be golden.
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Serge 2:27PM (9/15/2008)
I think you missed the point... there is NOTHING wrong with this Vette. The fact that Top Gear, of all things, have to compare it to a 599 GTB, SLR 722, and the DBS to find what they percieve as slight shortcomings says it all.
And I do realize the slight status merits in the eyes of the general public of owning one of the aformentioned cars instead of a ZR1 and a house bought with the spare change. Not that I dont like the 599 or DBS, I would love to have the Vette and both of them... the SLR not so much though.
bakka 2:28PM (9/15/2008)
Agree 100%
why not the LS2LS7? 2:10PM (9/15/2008)
The interior doesn't match its supercar rivals? Do they pull this crap when talking about Noble or Lotus?
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SpaceWeasel 2:27PM (9/15/2008)
Yes, they knock the interiors of those cars too. But Noble and Lotus aren't "supercars" in the same sense as a 599, 722, Enzo,or DBS.
Read the review before you get your panties twisted. It sounds like they love your precious Corvette.
Torrent 3:03PM (9/15/2008)
I agree. If you're paying 100K for a car that SHOULD cost 500K, why complain about the interior? What are you seriously expecting the interior to be filled with- mink?
I don't think the Corvette needs to be as luxurious as the Ferraris and it's other competitors. All the features and things you find in a ferrari's interior are probably things you won't need, or you're never going to use anyway. The Corvette is a straight-forward car with no high tech Gizmos and gadgets that are only going to break down anyway. All the things in the Ferraris and Lambos only take away from the actual driving experience.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:02PM (9/15/2008)
The Vette isn't a supercar.
The Noble is closer to being a supercar than the Vette is.
Lotus has always had awful interiors, and Chevy too, so why does one get raked over the coals for it and not the other?
Mark 2:13PM (9/15/2008)
The fact that I have an ls1 in my truck makes me happy when I here great things about any 'vette.
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JZeke 2:17PM (9/15/2008)
'merica, F**K yea!
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Josiah 2:30PM (9/15/2008)
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Todd in Sonoma 8:14PM (9/15/2008)
Montage!
JagGill 2:18PM (9/15/2008)
Comparisons with the Enzo, Carrera GT, 599, and SLR 722. The ZR1 is a definite winner.
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Red 2:21PM (9/15/2008)
All this really shows is GM does the big things right. They tend to suck at the details though. With the Malibu's new interior, I'd imagine the next 'Vette will likely close the gap to the Brits and Italians further.
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USCGTO 2:26PM (9/15/2008)
Going by CTS-V and the Malibu's Interior, the next time they refresh corvette's interior, there wont be much to complain. srsly.
teh 4LT package, which is basically drape every thing in leather option is almost $8K. And the base corvette still comes with a horrible interior, IMO.
Yar 3:00PM (9/15/2008)
Sit down and justify spending another $300,000+ for a nice interior and you'll understand why this car is so epic.
Russell 4:04PM (9/15/2008)
I don't understand all the b!tching about the interior of the Vette. I have a 2002 and for what I paid, the interior and performance are great.
Justin 2:22PM (9/15/2008)
Good to hear that even Top Gear can get past their stigmas and learn to enjoy a good car.
And +1 for the LS series motors. They're as good as anything out there.
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Kitko 3:20PM (9/15/2008)
OK, you blokes, let me translate the article from British Motoring Press's English.
They are not enjoying a "good car", they are enjoying Corvette "as is". It doesn't mean they say it's what's usually a good car.
It's a good car for a Vette, in other words, it's just a Vette, and not really "there".
See, you need to get to know the British.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:18PM (9/15/2008)
Let me try a translation:
'Right, make no mistake. What we have here is one of the truly great supercars'
Red 2:26PM (9/15/2008)
You can't hardly compare the interior of a ZR-1 to that of a Lotus. Besides the obvious difference in philosophies, the interior of the Corvette has never been its strongest suit.
The Noble, however, is fair game...
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