Autoblog

Helicopter crashes on Top Gear Korea set while chasing Corvette ZR1

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, South Korea, TV/Movies

The formula of Top Gear Korea is seemingly about the same as it is everywhere else in the world, including the flagship British original: involve interesting cars in fantastical situations with charismatic hosts. That prescription has proved to be pretty reliable over the years, and has lead to some truly memorable and exciting pieces of television.

Something like that was undoubtedly what the Korean producers were after when they lined up this segment - a drag race between a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and an AH1 Cobra military helicopter. The planners almost certainly did not expect the filming of the segment to go quite as wrong as it actually did, with the helicopter actually crashing into the dirt after the "drag race" had been completed. Thankfully, we're told that no one was seriously injured in the crash, but the footage, in the video below, is pretty damn chilling to watch, nevertheless.

Continue reading Helicopter crashes on Top Gear Korea set while chasing Corvette ZR1

Helicopter crashes on Top Gear Korea set while chasing Corvette ZR1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

While the Dodge Viper is in the midst of a much-too-long (and thankfully soon-to-be-rectified) hiatus, there's really no question as to who holds the title of Baddest American Sports Car: The Chevrolet Corvette. And the top-of-the-line in Corvette Land is, of course, the 638-horsepower supercharged ZR1.

Not that the 'Vette is the only way domestic car lovers can fan their inner flames of performance. Nipping at the Corvette's super wide and sticky heels are such classic nameplates as the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger... not to mention, from within its own stomping grounds no less, the Chevrolet Camaro.

Perhaps in a bid to cement its internal pecking order, the boys from Chevy took one Corvette ZR1 and one Camaro ZL1 to Virginia International Raceway for some sordid fun and hot laps. Wondering just how close the Camaro is to the top-rung Corvette, which the automaker says set the fastest published lap for a stock car in VIR's history? Satiate your curiosity by watching the two videos after the jump.

Continue reading Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record

Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 [w/video]

Michael Harley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, New Car Reviews

Successful In Its Mission, But Not As The World's Greatest Sports Car

Adhered to the Hamilton Hall dorm wall at Wright State University is a glossy poster of a jet-black sports car. It hangs low over an unmade bed, its corner blemished with a slight tear from an errantly placed thumbtack during orientation week.

A young engineering undergraduate, sitting at a desk just a few feet away, is staring directly at the poster. Instead of reviewing for an upcoming exam, his eyes remain fixated on the vehicle's sleek bodywork, ominous quad exhaust pipes and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Locked in a trance, the student daydreams about what it would be like to drive the sinister-looking monster.

Unbeknown to that 19-year-old scholar, and thousands of miles from Wright State University, Autoblog holds the key to the vehicle pictured on that very poster. It is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. With a 638-horsepower supercharged V8 mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a top speed of 205 miles per hour, it is the most powerful production car in General Motors' history.

The ZR1 has been upgraded and enhanced for 2012, so what is it like to drive America's premier sports car on public roads? Can the beast be reasonably tamed? Be pleased to learn that this evil brute is nearly everything expected, a little less and then a whole lot more.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 [w/video]

2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Corvette ZR1 shaves six seconds off its 'Ring time

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 runs 'round the 'Ring - Click above to watch video after the jump

Chevrolet has a few upgrades in store for the mighty 2012 Corvette ZR1. One of which is a set of optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure Tires. Coupled with the the Performance Traction Management (PTM) system, the 2012 ZR1 is going to be one fast grippy guppy.

Chevrolet wanted to find out how the new car handles one of the worlds most exciting roads, so a trip to Germany and a ticket to the Nürburgring were in order. In 2008, a Corvette ZR1 ran around the infamous track in 7:26.4. The 2012 car blew that time away with a 7:19.63 blast around the 'Ring - that's a six-second improvement, for those who don't feel like doing the math. Want to ride shotgun on the 12.9-mile journey? Put on your helmet, click past the jump and check out the clip.

Continue reading 2012 Corvette ZR1 shaves six seconds off its 'Ring time

2012 Corvette ZR1 shaves six seconds off its 'Ring time originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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