As an avid collector of admirable cars, John Cena has been a point of discussion in several automobile magazines. We've also written about the cars he has owned in the last couple of years, ranking them from best to worst. Cena is always giving us reasons to do this, as he continuously acquires some of the most impressive rides out there, including a few that leaves us scratching our heads in confusion.
To this superstar and WWE legend's credit, most cars in his collection come with a bit of a background. Apparently, John Cena doesn't buy cars just for the sake of purchase. That's why his impressive bunch mostly counts as classic muscle cars that have a story to tell, such as the Plymouth Superbird and the Dodge Charger 426 HEMI.
The same applies to John Cena's more modern cars, like the 2007 Dodge Charger or the 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. However, there's one car in the collection that makes us childishly happy, and it's none other but the Chevy Corvette ZR1. And it's not just because of the impressive specs, although that does play a role as well.
Allegedly, John Cena was not a big fan of Corvettes at all! Yet, he got his hands on the ZR1, and this high-performing car made him question his choices. So, the ZR1 may well be the sickest car in John Cena's collection because of its performance, styling, as well as its ability to win Cena over.
John Cena's Sickest Car: The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Has Outrageous Specs
Though Chevrolet prides itself on a more than an impressive and rich history, yet, before 2009, none of the production cars in its lineup could produce 100 horsepower per liter. Quite shocking! This must have been bothering the Chevy team for a while back then because during that year the crew came out with the big news; a shiny new and monstrous Corvette was coming to town.
The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was the most powerful of its species back in the day. Equipped with the all-new LS9 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, the ZR1 was certified at an outrageous 638 horsepower and approximately 604 lb-ft of torque. That even tipped the 100 ponies for a liter! What's more, the Corvette ZR1 from 2009 could go over 200 mph, surpassing the Z06 model that could achieve "only" 198 mph.
“Chevrolet’s goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much – and does so with exceptional drivability,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.
Quickly enough, the ZR1 proved just that point, becoming the fastest production Corvette ever — well, until the new, younger Z06 and ZR1 were born in 2015 and 2019. That said, you shouldn't be surprised that the ZR1 is our pick as the sickest car in John Cena's list, or that the superstar changed his mind just to accommodate the Corvette. We also have more to tell you about its design.
The Mean Styling Ranks The ZR1 At The Top Of John Cena's Car Collection
One look at the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is enough to conclude the design was put into service of the overall performance. This car is aesthetically pleasing, but on a whole new level. All the components are perfectly balanced to be easy on the eye while also improving and highlighting the ZR1's specs. So, when you look at this unique Corvette, the power is all you see.
Generally speaking, the ZR1 is not a subtle car, showcasing all its capability in the carefully crafted lightweight and aerodynamic-focused sleek exterior. On the inside, the ZR1 is just the same, although not that aggressive, featuring lightweight materials and no-nonsense buttons and components. There are also a lot of convenient and well-arranged features in this Corvette to enhance the driving experience, and these include the navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity.
13 Years After Its Launch, The Corvette ZR1 Is Still Pricey
According to Ed Peper's statement cited above, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was aimed to beat the competition with a breathtaking performance at a much lower price. Back in the day, that meant cashing out around $100,000 for the brand new ZR1, which was without a doubt affordable compared to the competitors (like the super expensive 2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano), but still out of the league of most people.
Unsurprisingly, the initial price hasn't changed that much over 13 years. In 2022, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 comes somewhere at about $85,000. The car has aged beautifully, with a price tag that only confirms how sick this ride turns out to be.
Moreover, it's interesting to note that the ZR1 probably wasn't a big financial bite for John Cena. A WWE legend with an already impressive car collection could surely afford the ZR1 without a hiccup, which only means Cena recognized the potential and significance of the automotive edifice.