VIDEO: Monday afternoon Corvette ZR1 chase

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:31:00 EST

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

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in hot pursuit - click above image to watch the video

The blokes at Autocar got themselves a real live Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. What to do with it? Why not strap a camera to the back of a pretty fast car, and let the 638 hp supercharged LS9-engined beast chase you all over a test circuit like a great white hunting a seal? Or is that like a cheetah chasing down a gazelle? An eagle after a snake? A dogo argentino pursuing a wild boar? You get the idea -- the Zed Argh One is a killer and just toying with whatever's in front of its gaping maw. The lead vehicle will soon be killed and consumed, metaphorically speaking of course. And you're going to simply love what happens at 1:54. Have a watch, after the jump. Thanks to Jonathan for the tip.

Continue reading VIDEO: Monday afternoon Corvette ZR1 chase

VIDEO: Monday afternoon Corvette ZR1 chase originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Hennessey Z700 unveiled for track-happy ZR1 owners

John Neff — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Supercars, Chevrolet

2010 Hennessey Z700 - Click above for high-res images

Hennessey Performance Engineering makes the point that track-oriented Porsche owners can opt up from a normal 911 to a GT3 RS and Viper owners can choose the ACR edition, so what's out there for ZR1 owners who want a more hardcore machine? To answer that question, HPE has introduced the Z700 for 2010.

The exclusive new model features a number of enhancements that go beyond the requisite power increase, which in this case jumps from 638 to 705 dyno-tuned hp. HPE has also put the ZR1 on a diet, shedding pounds by adding lightweight carbon fiber seats and carbon fiber wheels wrapped in a Michilin Pilot Cup Sport tires. The wheels alone scrub off 60 lbs. of rotating weight. Aero enhancements include Hennessey's Z-Aero carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler, all of which add 300 lbs. of downforce. Finally, an alcantara steering wheel and shift knob should feel better in the hand when barnstorming the track.

Hennessey plans to prove that the Z700 is a big improvement over the ZR1 by taking direct aim at the standard car's Nürburgring lap time of 7:26. They'll be flying to Germany with a Z700 later this year to take their best shot, but considering that HPE is perhaps the only only tuning company with its very own on-site track, Lonestar Motorsports Park, we expect good results.

Only 24 examples will be produced, and customers who order a Z700 also get a one-day performance driving instruction course at Lonestar Motorsports Park. Total cost for a base Z700 will start at $207,150, which also includes the cost of a donor ZR1. That's nearly a six-figure increase over the base price of a ZR1, so we'll have to wait until it sets some lap times to see if it's worth it.

Gallery: Hennessey Z700

[Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering]

Continue reading 2010 Hennessey Z700 unveiled for track-happy ZR1 owners

2010 Hennessey Z700 unveiled for track-happy ZR1 owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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