In the very early hours, Australian time, on Monday the 13 of November one or two photos began to drop on Instagram of a vehicle that has the legendary ZR1 badge. When I noticed this, I had to try and get a blog done on Chevrolet's most powerful production Corvette to date, and I say to date because Chevrolet has their mid-engine Corvette in the pipeline. When the mid-engine Corvette officially is revealed to the world, it's anyone's guess.
Chevrolet decided to reveal the new ZR1 in Dubai with some impressive numbers, but they haven't released performance specs yet. But I can report they have released the engine metrics, and this is when I start to form a big smile on my face. The ZR1 will have a new LT5 supercharged V8 engine that produces supercar figures of 755 horsepower (563 kW) and 715 lb-ft of torque (969 Nm). What this means is the LT5 is now the most potent engine ever created for any Chevrolet or General Motors vehicle. Chevrolet are saying that the ZR1 will have a top speed over 210mph, so I can't wait to see it go up against other supercars in the coming year.
The ZR1 will need some decent downforce if you're hoping to take it to the occasional track day. Chevrolet will be offering two aero packages with one that comes with a big rear wing that makes an estimated 950 pounds of downforce. The High Wing package is adjustable and comes with a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps, plus it comes with Magnetic Ride Control.
One other little interesting bit of information was for the first time the ZR1 will come with two types of transmissions. If you're looking to get the best lap times or nail your quarter-mile drag race, you'd be ordering the car with the eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmissions. Personally, I'd go with the seven-speed manual.
For those Corvette eccentrics, Chevrolet will be offering a Sebring Orange package which focuses on its Sebring Orange Tintcoat exterior color. This package gets you things like orange brake calipers, orange seatbelts, and orange interior stitching.
But I must ask one question...... Will Australian's finally get the chance to buy this car in the next year or so? Typically, that was pie in the sky thinking because Chevrolet has never made a right-hand drive Corvette. But if you do some digging around and look at what the Director at Walkinshaw Automotive Group Ryan Walkinshaw has been posting on his Instagram stories in recent weeks, along with the occasional interview, we may be about to see the ZR1 down under. There have been reports on the internet that two fifth-generation left-hand-drive Chevrolet Camaros have been seen at Holden Special Vehicle's/Walkinshaw's Clayton factory. We don't know why these two cars are there, but one can only hope it's to convert the American classics to right-hand drive.
With Holden not making the Commodore anymore in Australia, its left Holden Special Vehicles without a performance platform or a flagship vehicle to sell to the Australian performance car enthusiasts community who aligned themselves with the Holden brand. But that hasn't stopped Ryan Walkinshaw from moving forward with his new partnership with Michael Andretti from Andretti Racing and United Autosports boss Zak Brown.
Nothing has been confirmed yet from HSV or Ryan Walkinshaw on the rumors, but if there is anything to go by with the sales success of right-hand drive Ford Mustangs in Australia. Aussies could be seeing Corvettes or Camaros on Australian roads sooner rather than later.
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