Autoblog

SRT's Ralph Gilles addresses the infamous Motor Trend Viper vs. ZR1 test

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, SRT

In one of the most interesting roundtable discussions we've seen in quite some time, the boys from Motor Trend, along with pro racing driver Randy Pobst, sat down with SRT head honcho Ralph Gilles to discuss the 2014 Viper. And the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, naturally. As you may remember, Motor Trend has filmed two videos pitting the latest Viper from SRT against the standard-bearing ZR1, with the Viper losing the first battle but barely eking out a victory with the upgraded TA model in the second.

A few interesting tidbits sneak out regarding the Viper, such as the fact that an ACR model isn't ready "yet," as well as the story of how the TA model came into existence after the first test by Motor Trend. Apparently, that test also resulted in a slight softening of the regular Viper's suspension for production. Interestingly, Gilles doesn't seem ready to admit defeat even in that first testing session, saying that the Viper used by MT was a pre-production model and that it had been out of alignment - that said, he does offer up an apology of sorts for "throwing gas on the fire" on social networks after the video hit the web.

Moving away from the Viper toward the end of the discussion, Gilles touches on the new Camaro Z28 and mentions that "the Challenger is under the knife as we speak... and we're going to come with an answer to [the Z28] and an answer for our friends at Ford." That sounds mighty intriguing... though Gilles also admits that a Cuda isn't coming "anytime soon," but that it is "a couple years out" on a different platform than the Challenger. Fortunately, it sounds like the next-generation of the Challenger SRT will make an appearance in New York in 2014.

There are plenty more interesting tidbits in the video, so we suggest you take about 20 minutes of at the end of your day to watch it yourself. Scroll down below to watch it, along with the two MT videos comparing the Viper and ZR1 at Laguna Seca.

Continue reading SRT's Ralph Gilles addresses the infamous Motor Trend Viper vs. ZR1 test

SRT's Ralph Gilles addresses the infamous Motor Trend Viper vs. ZR1 test originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend pits SRT Viper against Chevy Corvette ZR1

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, SRT

Last month, Motor Trend took over Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to perform one of the first head-to-head comparisons between the current Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and its newly redesigned nemesis, the SRT Viper. We've already gone over the article and amazing photographs of this epic all-American battle, and now, MT has provided a video of the deed in its latest "Head 2 Head" installment.

As we've already reported, not only did the 'Vette come out victorious when it came to lapping Laguna Seca, but it also set a new track record for a production car with a time of 1:33.70 beating the previous time by 0.2 seconds and beating the Viper by more than two seconds. In straight-line performance, both cars ran an identical 11.4 seconds in a quarter mile sprint. In the video, MT's drivers point out that the ZR1 has better braking and cornering on the track while the Viper's raw power and rough ride were mentioned on multiple occasions. One of the interesting notes is that the video points out the "deafening" cabin noise and "rock-hard" seats in the Viper, but SRT responded by saying both issues will be fixed by the time the car goes on sale.

Scroll down to watch the whole video showing both the Viper and the 'Vette tackle one of the toughest tracks in the country.

Continue reading Motor Trend pits SRT Viper against Chevy Corvette ZR1

Motor Trend pits SRT Viper against Chevy Corvette ZR1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sets lap record at Laguna Seca, beats new SRT Viper

Zach Bowman — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, SRT

As you may have heard, Motor Trend recently threw the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the 2013 SRT Viper at each other. And while it was somewhat shocking to hear that the aging ZR1 actually managed to narrowly walk away as the winner of this particular scrap, something else interesting happened during the dust up. Motor Trend called on pro driver Randy Pobst to thrash the two bruisers around Laguna Seca, and thrash he did. Pobst managed to bolt out a time of 1:33.70 in the ZR1, besting the old record of 1:33.99 set by Chris Winkler some three years ago. Winkler managed the task in a 2010 Dodge Viper ACR.

Pobst managed to pull down a 1:35.77 in the SRT Viper, making it the sixth-fastest car M/T has ever put through its paces at Laguna Seca. Don't shed a tear for the terror from SRT, though - the 2013 Viper is still quicker than hardware like the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R.

Unsurprisingly, the record-breaking story has triggered defensive posturing from the SRT camp, with none other than brand boss Ralph Gilles leaving comments on his Twitter feed like "There is a lot more left in the car, Randy has always struggled with the Viper" and "We've tested both cars at several tracks and never seen a gap like that. Many drivers needlessly fear the Viper.

The ZR1 may have drawn first blood on its way out the door, but one thing is for sure - this is only the first skirmish in what looks to be a long and highly entertaining battle.

2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sets lap record at Laguna Seca, beats new SRT Viper originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guy Fieri to drive Corvette ZR1 pace car in Indy 500

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Celebrities

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives persona Guy Fieri is making more news with garages these days than kitchens. The Food Network host, who recently had his Lamborghini Gallardo stolen and then recovered in a teen's storage container, has been selected to drive the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 pace car at the Indy 500 this year.

Guy's an admitted car fan, and he should feel at home in the ZR1; he owns seven Chevrolet models that span the decades from 1968 to 2011, and a Cadillac Escalade ESV. He'll be pacing the field in the 638-horsepower special edition Arctic White coupe on Sunday, May 27 at noon EST.

Guy Fieri to drive Corvette ZR1 pace car in Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace 96th Indianapolis 500

Drew Phillips — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

Today Chevrolet announced that a 2013 Corvette ZR1 will pace this year's Indianapolis 500, marking the 23rd time that a Chevy has paced the race and the 11th time the Corvette has performed the duty. With 638 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the Corvette ZR1 will be the most powerful production machine to serve as the race's pace car.

Helping to celebrate six decades of production, the 2013 Corvette ZR1 pace car mimics the design cues of the 60th anniversary package that debuted earlier this year with Arctic White exterior paint and a full-length racing stripe in Pearl Silver Blue. Inside is a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents.

Look for the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 during the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500, scheduled to start at 12:00 pm ET on Sunday, May 27th.

Scroll down to see the official details from Chevrolet.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace 96th Indianapolis 500

2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace 96th Indianapolis 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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