Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Spied

Anything but ordinary

Blue Devil, Z07, Sting Ray, SS or ZR-1, no matter what you like to call GM's latest attempt at a supercar but one thing is for sure, it will be impressive. Its official debut is scheduled for January's Detroit NAIAS show so these images are likely to be the last before we can show you the final product.

Power for the beast comes from the new LS9 engine. The LS9 is a 6.2 liter supercharged small block V8 and puts out between 600 and 650 hp. The supercharged V8 will utilize an integrated intake manifold intercooler, and it’s expected to run a 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds.

Weight will be reduced in comparison to the current Z06 by using more carbon fibre in the body work (notice the A and B pillars and the roof) and by utilizing a polycarbonate 'window' in the hood. Other body panels like the rocker panels might be made from carbon fibre too. A wider and taller lip spoiler, it now spans the car, will be featured on the new Z super Vette in order to provide more downforce when the driver reaches 200 mph or more.

Over the past few months rumors have surfaced that GM might switch tire manufacturer, and the spy photographer can now comfirm that GM is indeed using Michelin (and not Goodyear) for this prototype. On closer inspection, we found the car sitting on 335/25Z/20 size tires! Behind the wheels we found a huge set of cross-drilled rotors and an equally large set of calipers leading us to believe the car will feature a carbon-ceramic brake set-up.

Production of the Super Vette will commence mid 2008 as a 2009 model with annual production numbers expected to be around 1500 to 1750. Pricing is expected to be around USD 100,000.