There are not many cars as iconic as the Chevrolet Corvette. While gearheads around the world respect the stock pace of the mighty Corvette, Chevrolet managed to improve the C6 model of the Corvette with a powerful ZR1 package.
The ZR1 was released as the high-performance version of the C6 Corvette. Nicknamed the Blue Devil during development, the ZR1 was designed to be a performance upgrade over the regular Corvette in almost every way possible. From aerodynamics to pure engine performance, the ZR1 managed to steal the hearts of gearheads and Corvette lovers around the world.
Looking for more information about the C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1? Read on for everything you need to know about the C6 Corvette ZR1.
10 Based On The C6 Corvette
The C6 Corvette is the sixth generation of the American icon. This impressive sports car was released by General Motors back in 2005 and was in production until 2013. During these production years, Chevrolet managed to release a few different models and even a few special-edition versions.
This includes the Z06, Grand Sport, and the ZR1. There were also a few racing versions of the car such as the Le Mans Series GT1, the C6.R, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Pro that ended up winning the entire competition back in 2011.
9 Codename: Blue Devil
The development of the ZR1 model was kept very secretive over the years. While the sixth generation of the Corvette was released back in 2005, the Z06 model came out the following year. It was only in 2007 when certain mumblings came to light about General Motors sending early prototypes to Germany for testing.
While this prototype was kept under wraps, rumors started to circulate in the country. The entire project and prototype were referred to as “blue devil” and were rumored to come with around 600 to 700 hp out of the box.
8 Magnetic Selective Ride Control
Suspension is one of the most influential ways to improve the handling and performance of your car. While many sports cars now offer adaptive suspension, the ZR1 C6 Corvette was the first to include magnetic selective ride control.
This innovative suspension system consists of several sensors around the car that can scan the road ahead and automatically adjust the suspension accordingly. This can help give you a smooth ride on the road and even improve performance on the track.
7 V8 Engine
When the Corvette C6 ZR1 was rumored to be released, many speculated that it would come with a larger 7-liter engine. Instead, the ZR1 managed to come with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that could produce 638 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque.
This makes the ZR1 C6 Corvette one of the most powerful two-door sports cars on the market. To put the performance into context, the Ferrari F430 came with only 503 hp even though it costs more than twice as much. The Corvette did not just have the power but also the performance to match with the manufacturer claiming a top speed of over 200 miles per hour.
6 Manual Transmission
The ZR1 version of the C6 Corvette was available with both an automatic and manual transmission. While it’s known that automatic gearboxes are more efficient, the manual gearbox allows you to have more control over the performance of the car.
If you opt for the automatic gearbox, Chevrolet assures you that you’ll be able to get from 0 to 60 in just 3.4 seconds. The ZR1 Corvette can also manage to demolish the quarter mile in just 11.3 seconds. This makes it even faster than the Ferrari F430.
5 Most Powerful C6 Model
If you’re looking for a powerful two-door sports car that can turn heads, you need to look for a ZR1 C6 Corvette. This high-performance model comes with tons of carbon fiber and a supercharged V8 engine that can produce 638 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque.
The two-door sports car was also designed to be lightweight with many body panels being completely replaced with carbon fiber. This includes the roof, bumpers, and the rear wing. The combination of the lightweight design and extra power made the ZR1 one of the most powerful C6 production models.
4 Supercar Killer
The ZR1 version of the C6 Corvette was widely regarded as a supercar killer. This is because the American sports car was not accepted as a supercar even though it came with more performance and managed to outperform many of the most iconic supercars at the time.
While the ZR1 C6 Corvette came with more horsepower than the Ferrari F430, it also produces more power than the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo. This showcases the raw power of the Corvette that managed to stand the test of time.
3 Adaptive Driver Modes
Despite being developed in the late 2000s, the ZR1 model came with dynamic driver modes that could alter the setup of the car to suit every situation. This is more common in modern cars, but the early tech was included in the C6 Corvette.
This allowed owners to use the sports car both on track days and as daily drivers. This is another major benefit to the Corvette compared to other supercars as they can seamlessly be used every day. In addition to the driver modes, the Corvette comes with a comfortable interior that can make daily commutes and long-distance driving a dream.
2 Impressive Around The Nurburgring
The Nurburgring is one of the most famous testing tracks around the world. Located in Germany, this track is over 12 miles long and is used by manufacturers to test their new performance cars. The entire test track takes over 7 minutes to complete, making it one of the longest test tracks available to automakers.
The ZR1 Corvette made it around the iconic track in just 7 minutes and 16 seconds. This beat Chevrolet’s previous record around the track by around 6 seconds. The Porsche GT2 RS was the only other car to also have a 6.2L V8 engine and manage to lap the circuit faster.
1 Affordable Performance
While the ZR1 was by far the most appealing version of the C6 Corvette, it was still affordable compared to some of the supercars that it managed to dethrone. The two-door sports car came with 638 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque, comparable to Italian supercars that were more than double the price.
This is also one of the biggest selling points for many American sports cars. The gap between the performance models and their European rivals is becoming smaller and smaller while the prices seem to be skyrocketing. In addition to this, the second-hand market for American sports cars also helps make it a lot more accessible than other kinds of sports cars around the world.