The 2009 ZR1 Corvette First Look

  ZR1 Corvette. The fastest and most powerful car GM has ever built  becomes available for public consumption in 2009.  Drive it, and  it will be nothing short of shock and awe inspiring. After all the  tire smoke clears, and it'll take a while. For the 2009 model year, the iconic sports car  receives styling adjustments, and convenience features.

  All 2009 Corvettes receive two additional color options, cyber gray  metallic, and blade silver metallic. Machine silver metallic is  discontinued. Bluetooth capability is now included on the options list  and steering wheel audio controls are standard across the board.

   The base coupe sports a strong bang for the buck factor. Starting at  $47,045, the coupe is less than half the price of a ZR1 and about $3000  less than the cost of the previous generation Z06. The 2009 ZR1 Corvette receives the supercharged 638-hp, 6.2L monster.

  Suspension options are carried over from 2008, with optional Magnetic  Selective Ride Control and a Z51 performance package. The former  utilizes synthetic fluid to adjust damping on the fly based on  road conditions while the Z51 package is a bit more basic, utilizing  aggressive damping, stiff spring rates, Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, and  big 13.4 in. front, 13.0 in. rear cross drilled brake rotors. Gear  ratios for first, second, and third gear are shortened as well.

  The ZR1 Corvette has a large dry sump oiling system, up to 10.5 quarts  from 8, a 10-spoke wheel design offered in four colors, new trim fashioned to the interior, including door sills with and an upgraded audio system.           The ZR1 pays the price for the supercharger with fuel mileage at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.  Still it betters Ferrari's F430, a relative polluter at 11/16.

  No major changes to the Corvette lineup means loyalists will be more  than satisfied. The styling adjustments and convenience features are  sure to make the sports car more welcoming. Say  the name all you want, ZR1 Corvette, it never gets tiring.