MT on the ATS-V, ATS-V+, CTS-V

[mikeyg36]

I just highly doubt that with the success of the C6 ZR1 they would not make a successor. Especially with the LT5 engine code just sitting there

[DrkPhx]

The ZR1 was hardly a sales success. They didn't sell that many combined for all model years. As for the LT4; I still think it will be in the next CTS-V and 6th gen Camaro; but time will tell.

[mikeyg36]

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

The ZR1 was hardly a sales success. They didn't sell that many combined for all model years. As for the LT4; I still think it will be in the next CTS-V and 6th gen Camaro; but time will tell.

I was not talking a sales success, I meant a success with the numbers that it put down and its reception with the automotive community.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

I was not talking a sales success, I meant a success with the numbers that it put down and its reception with the automotive community.

For a product like the ZR1, this is all the success it needs. It doesn't even have to be profitable as long as it isn't too costly to produce. Just existing is a seat at the table with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and other exotic brands. That kind of attention generates a discussion among enthusiasts as to the worthiness of lower Chevrolets in the same company. When you've got the same engines available in other platforms, namely the Camaro, it draws attention to those more attainable products as well. That's how you create a buzz. You don't get attention the Toyota way, but making mediocre family cars and failing to compete while leading your loyal customers into recall after recall. High end performance cars represent the most ambitious engineering and bring new ideas on performance and efficiency to market. The ZR1 should make a comeback, hopefully sooner than later.

[VADER SS L99]

The ZR1 is a car that GM can build just to show what they can do. Even if the car loses money its a great PR tool. IMO GM should in fact build a ZR1 with a LT5 engine code and 700HP. If for nothing else just to show the world what the company is capable of.

[Bhobbs]

I bet GM has something left for the C7. They can't be done two model years into the generation.

[King T]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

I bet GM has something left for the C7. They can't be done two model years into the generation.

I don't know Bhobbs, for right now it sounds like there won't be a ZR1. Not to say that it can't come later in the C7 life cycle, but for now it won't be immediate. This was from an interview with Tadge

That new engine is a significant factor. Though the new LT4 is down on outright power compared to the ZR1, the way it delivers torque is considerably different, offering far more urgency at lower speeds. When run on an engine dyno to calculate power, the graph showing engine torque mapped to RPM sits nearly horizontal. "Even with less power, because there's more area under the torque curve, it's so flat, and you spend time sitting at the power peak the whole time, it's already faster than the ZR1... We haven't done any straight-line testing, but it's going to be very close. I suspect it'll end up faster at every track in the world... That's our aspiration."

So, then, with this being the fastest production car GM has ever made, the ZR1 is formally put to rest. It'll be up to aftermarket tuners, the Lingenfelters and Hennesseys of the world, to try doing even better without ruining the cars they augment. That is, until the next ZR1 rolls around -- if it ever does. Juechter is coy about the prospects of the next special 'Vette, but adamant that they held nothing back when creating this one: "We're not sandbagging. We're going to do as well as we can on this car and then see about any plans on ZR1...if it's even possible. We didn't do a ZR1 in the fifth-generation car. The only reason we did on the sixth generation was because the lifecycle was so long. It wasn't part of the original plan."

Profitability, however, is always part of the plan. "There are all these questions to think about before we begin a program which is hellaciously expensive and has to make money. We can't just do it for fun. It has to make money," he states emphatically, then ponders for a moment. "As much fun as it would be."

As we conclude the interview, Juechter gestures to the bright yellow Z06 parked behind him and then displays a keen mastery of the art of understatement. "I think once you drive this, I think you'll find the power is adequate."

The C6 had:
2005 Coupe
2006 ZO6
2009 ZR1
So maybe it's too early to expect the ZR1 (If the C7 has as long of a generation as the C6 did).

[snizzle]

ZR1. Who needs it? Have you seen this new Z06? There will be something else below before a range topper shows up.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by snizzle

ZR1. Who needs it? Have you seen this new Z06? There will be something else below before a range topper shows up.

Something like.....

[BaylorCamaro]

I cannot wait for the ATS-V to come out and see what it can do against the M3.

Originally Posted by The_Blur

For a product like the ZR1, this is all the success it needs. It doesn't even have to be profitable as long as it isn't too costly to produce. Just existing is a seat at the table with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and other exotic brands. That kind of attention generates a discussion among enthusiasts as to the worthiness of lower Chevrolets in the same company. When you've got the same engines available in other platforms, namely the Camaro, it draws attention to those more attainable products as well. That's how you create a buzz. You don't get attention the Toyota way, but making mediocre family cars and failing to compete while leading your loyal customers into recall after recall. High end performance cars represent the most ambitious engineering and bring new ideas on performance and efficiency to market. The ZR1 should make a comeback, hopefully sooner than later.

I completely agree with this.

[mikeyg36]

I honestly just want GM to make a stupidly fast street car with 700 HP give or take.

[v6sonoma]

Considering the new Z06 will mop the floor with the old ZR1 I don't think they NEED it yet. In a year or 2 they can roll it out if they want to to build more interest in the Corvette. For now they have a great lineup and adding another tier just isn't necessary yet.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by King T

I don't know Bhobbs, for right now it sounds like there won't be a ZR1. Not to say that it can't come later in the C7 life cycle, but for now it won't be immediate. This was from an interview with Tadge

The C6 had:
2005 Coupe
2006 ZO6
2009 ZR1
So maybe it's too early to expect the ZR1 (If the C7 has as long of a generation as the C6 did).

I'm not saying it has to be a ZR1. I just mean another version that will probably slot between the Z51 and the Z06.

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

Something like.....

It would be interesting to see what they come up with for a Grand Sport since the Z51 already has dry sump and so many other goodies.