Designed by Lotus, the ZR-1's all-aluminum 5. Interestingly, Chevy itself didn't build this engine, instead farming out production to Mercury Marine's MerCruiser division. MotorWeek visited MerCruiser's Oklahoma facility to get an inside look at how the LT5 was built in , shining light on this fascinating engine.
Chevrolet chose MerCruiser partly because of its experience in working with aluminum, which was put to good use for the LT5.
Using automated machines, around 95 percent of the LT5's drilling, boring and machining was completed at MerCruiser. Each outboard nostril contains a new radiator and intercooler. Maximizing airflow through all those exchangers meant extensive wind-tunnel development, using both scale models and full-size cars in a rolling-road wind tunnel.
Not all ZR1s will wear as extreme an aero or color package as the car in these photos. This one is fitted with the ZTK Performance package, which includes Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber, specific tuning of the magnetorheological dampers, and that mondo wing. A smaller one is standard. This car is also wearing the Sebring Orange Design package, which brings the blazing hue to the brake calipers, rocker panels, seatbelts, interior stitching, and stripes on the splitter.
The ZTK wing offers 10 degrees of adjustability and generates a claimed pounds of downforce at top speed. He demonstrates the sturdiness of the setup by yanking on the wing with both hands, which shakes the whole car.
ZR1s without the ZTK Performance package will have the same carbon-fiber front splitter as the car shown here, but the ZTK adds spindly vertical end plates that owe their toe-lopping thinness to the decision to stay out of Europe.
Why two different aero packages on such a low-volume model? The new C7 ZR1 is the most powerful production Corvette ever thanks to the hp, lb-ft supercharged 6. Based on the already powerful Z06, the ZR1 adds a larger supercharger, larger front wheels, additional cooling, and more aero including an optional large rear spoiler that produces an estimated pounds of downforce.
The 3,pound super Corvette is offered with a seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. We have yet to test the ZR1 , but we estimate a time between 2. Close Ad. Join MotorTrend. Still, the ZR1's tires can be tiring for some. The interior of the Corvette ZR1 is that of a really nice C7 Corvette, but the steering wheel and seats are terrific. The flat-bottom steering wheel features real carbon fiber, and suede at 9 and 3 where the driver's hands should be.
The sport bucket seats in some trims feature carbon fiber back panels. Carbon fiber can be overplayed and tacky, but in the ZR1 it's a perfect fit.
Every Corvette ZR1 has a rear wing. With the Cup 2 tires and performance suspension comes a massive, stanchion-mounted adjustable carbon fiber wing that is perfect for eating lunch on, taking a nap on, or applying a whole lot of downforce at speed. It's also quite noticeable. Want to actually open the hatch? Be careful as there's no clearance for fingers between the wing and rear portion of the decklid. Load luggage from the side of the car, please. Some of the earliest spy shots of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 showed us this design nugget, and the production car delivered: The wheels are very Ferrari-esque.
Some might see some F40 in the wheels, or even F50, but there's no denying the C7 ZR1's wheels look like something that could have come from Maranello. Whether cruising in seventh gear down the freeway, blasting down a front straight at Atlanta Motor Speedway at mph, or weaving through a chicane at 80 mph, the ZR1 is far more stable than expected.
Its grip and steering inspire confidence, and the driver's talent is likely to fall short long before this all-American supercar reaches its limits.
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