News: Exclusive First-Hand Look at the 2009 ZR1 Corvette

[Rob]

I apologize for the delay in releasing all of this, but I had to go through, edit, convert, compile and upload nearly 4.5 GB of video footage and sift through 200 photographs from this event.

On Saturday, March 29, 2008, Chief Designer of General Motor's Corvette Design Studio and former Viktor Schreckengost automotive design student, Kirk Bennion delivered a 1 hour long presentation at the Attleboro Arts Museum regarding the design and development of the 2009 Corvette ZR1.

This was a unique opportunity because it was the first time the Corvette Action Center has been able to get up close and personal with the 2009 ZR1, and the event was very small, private (entrance was by pre-purchased tickets only) and enlightening about how the 2009 ZR1 came to be.

As Kirk mentions in one of the video clips, he literally started penning the car on a napkin at his kitchen table.

Unfortunately, my video camera battery ran out of juice at the end. If it wasn't for that, I would have probably been able to have gotten even more footage.

One of the questions I asked him after the camera went to sleep was if he thought a Corvette Challenge, similar to the one in the late eighties, might begin again.

He explained that although he wasn't sure, he wouldn't be surprised because it's highly unlikely Corvette Racing will continue in ALMS next year. Reason? The Corvette's competition is dwindling and at the very least the GT2 class is looking better and better.

Check out all of the photos and videos as they are extremely enlightening from the perspective that we tried to capture as many closeups of the ZR1 as we could. Unfortunately, the lighting in the museum wasn't the greatest and the car was not unlocked. Regardless, you get a good feel of what the ZR1 is and let me tell you, it is AWESOME!

Gallery: http://corvetteactioncenter.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/6090

Short Clip #1: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=b1c1c49d7c3d79c60d00

Short Clip #2: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=53058db75714ac400b58

Short Clip #3: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=42ed16b7d8fbf2c740e0

Short Clip #4: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=259401518960f7a06f94

Kirk Bennion Presentation Part 1: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8bc0ae9b13a1aa71add7

Kirk Bennion Presentation Part 2: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=7d868cbc926602a61e4d

Kirk Bennion Presentation Part 3: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e49e655c1247efb389ce

Kirk Bennion Presentation Part 4: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e9c493a0c30607586166

Kirk Bennion Presentation Part 5: http://vettetube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=43e61576081a2f250f84

 

[Cape Cod Bob]

Rob,
Any reason why the air intake is disconnected in the 1st vid?

I'm not seeing the excitement for the ZR1 that I saw for the C5 Z06 or the C6 Z06. Wonder if they'll be discounting them the 1st year out!
And I remember the 1st C5 and what a marketing homerun GM hit with that announcement.

Bob

 

[Rob]

Rob,
Any reason why the air intake is disconnected in the 1st vid?

I'm not seeing the excitement for the ZR1 that I saw for the C5 Z06 or the C6 Z06. Wonder if they'll be discounting them the 1st year out!
And I remember the 1st C5 and what a marketing homerun GM hit with that announcement.

Bob

Not sure. It was sitting in the passenger side of the car. My guess is that it was to allow better viewing at the front of the engine, but I'm really not sure.

 

[Brett]

I heard it was going to be SAE certified "sometime in March".

Since today is March 31, any idea what happened with that?

I am dying to see what kind of power this thing is really making.:W

 

[Rob]

To the best of my knowledge, I believe SAE Certification was completed. All I can say is, hp and torque figures are higher than previously stated.

 

[Brett]

Ok Rob, let's say prices for a half dozen donuts range betwen $6.25 and $7.00.

Personally, what price in that range do you feel is the most reasonable for six donuts?

:L

 

[Rob]

Ok Rob, let's say prices for a half dozen donuts range betwen $6.25 and $7.00.

Personally, what price in that range do you feel is the most reasonable for six donuts?

:L

I don't eat donuts. otfl

 

[Evolution1980]

I'm kinda surprised that I haven't seen more talk of the unofficial(?) C6.R logo peppering the ZR-1, such as on the air intake.

 

[Brett]

I'm kinda surprised that I haven't seen more talk of the unofficial(?) C6.R logo peppering the ZR-1, such as on the air intake.

Gotta love "Jake"

The only one I have noticed is on the air intake. Are there others?

 

[Evolution1980]

Gotta love "Jake"

The only one I have noticed is on the air intake. Are there others?

I seem to recall seeing them a couple other places when I looked the car over at the auto-show, but I don't recall exactly.

 

[22229stingray81]

Great... now I'm all excited.

Any idea when they will be releasing the hp/torque numbers?

-Tatortot

 

[fvette05]

Rob,
Great exclusive and thanks for providing this to us! I have been hearing rumours in another forum about "problems" with the LS9 as in it can get to the hp ******* but they cannot keep it together (whatever that means). Any news on any issues happening at this stage? :confused

 

[Rob]

Rob,
Great exclusive and thanks for providing this to us! I have been hearing rumours in another forum about "problems" with the LS9 as in it can get to the hp ******* but they cannot keep it together (whatever that means). Any news on any issues happening at this stage? :confused

I haven't heard anything yet...