One of the cars that doesn't really need to be advertised is the much beloved Chevrolet Corvette. For decades it has been the consummate American sports car, an icon that needs no introduction. But a little bit of showing off never hurts, as demonstrated by this ad.
The commercial ran during the Major League Baseball All-Star game this week, perhaps to remind America that Chevrolet, baseball, and, um, rockets are as American as apple pie. It features the ZR1, a car that deserves to brag a little on its world beating performance. Check out the video via YouTube.
The Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport has been out for a little while now, and though it isn't the fastest or quickest Corvette in the stable it is a track hero in it's own right. This ZR-1 lite, if you will, is plenty capable and tossable at the track.
Ron Fellows, multiple ALMS champion and Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona winner is a good candidate to show us how good said Grand Sport really is at the track. And that is exactly who is piloting the car in this video. Check it out for some nice tire killing action.
John Lingenfelter is well known in the automotive tuner world because he is very adept at squeezing maximum horsepower from every car that he lays his hands on. The ZR1 Corvette is already the fastest production 'vette to ever come off the production line. As you can imagine, a combination of the two can only mean good things.
Lingenfelter took his version of the ZR1 to Maryland International Raceway, and the results were extremely impressive. The blue demon ran a 9.813 quarter at 145.74 mph. Horsepower is a very stout 739 with an equally impressive 740 lb-ft of torque. Check out the video to see it in action.
PRESS RELEASE
DECATUR, Ind. -Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) is pleased to announce the Lingenfelter 2009 C6 Corvette ZR1 recently made three 9 second runs, hitting a best of 9.813 quarter-mile at 145.74 mph at the Maryland International Raceway, Budds Creek, Md.
Building on a rich history of finely engineered vehicle packages, Lingenfelter has refined the high-performance Corvette ZR1 to deliver maximum horsepower and torque utilizing the stock engine. The Lingenfelter ZR1 has been upgraded with the company's LS9 components designed to provide 739 rear-wheel horsepower and 740 rear-wheel torque.
Lingenfelter's 9 second quarter-mile was run with stock exhaust manifolds and a factory catback exhaust with a "Mild-to-Wild" switch. To see the ZR1 in action, visit www.lingenfelter.com/video.
"The track is the ultimate proving grounds to showcase Lingenfelter's years of engineering expertise and to test the performance capabilities of our ZR1," said Ken Lingenfelter, owner, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. "We are excited to continue developing product that pushes this sports car to the limit."
Additional upgrades to the Lingenfelter ZR1 include:
- Lingenfelter cast aluminum supercharger air intake snout - Lingenfelter 8.5" diameter harmonic balancer - 11 rib - Lingenfelter 2.60" diameter supercharger pulley - 11 rib - Lingenfelter S&B air filter - 4' diameter air intake tube with mass air sensor - Ported stock throttle body - Lingenfelter C6 ZR1 Supercharger Cast Aluminum air inlet - Double capacity intercooler heat exchanger - Larger capacity intercooler reservoir system - Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials R345/35R18 rear tires - M&H Racemaster P185/50R18 front tires - CCW aluminum wheels
Enthusiasts can purchase individual components such as the upper pulley kit and the lower balancer kit to modify their own ZR1.
For more than 30 years, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has created a matchless heritage of bringing astounding new capabilities to the world's most sought-after sports cars. This legendary record of precision engineering continues today, as the highly skilled Lingenfelter production team continues to target design excellence in engine packages, superchargers and high-performance aftermarket components that refine power, speed and control. For more information, visit www.lingenfelter.com, contact Lingenfelter Performance Engineering at 1557 Winchester Road, Decatur, IN 46733, or call 260.724.2552.
Italian style meets American muscle in a perfect harmony thanks to the SV Motors 9 Competizione. And now we have pictures to show the real deal, not just artist renderings. Based on a Chevrolet Corvette C6 and utilizing the LS3 powertrain, the 9Competizione features Italian-designed carbon fiber bodywork that lowers the curb weight to just 3085 lbs. Performance figures are scarce, but SV claims the car can pull 1.03g and brake from 60-0 mph in 107 ft. The car is an individualist's dream, as there are 25 different exterior color choices to go along with multiple wheel options, and several interior colors and materials to choose from. Customers can even pick five different brake caliper finishes. SV has boldly capped production at 1,000 units, and while pricing has not been announced, the company claims the 9 C will cost no more than $100,000.
The National Corvette Museum is celebrating it's 15th anniversary in style by raffling off a one off Corvette Grand Sport. The Vette is Arctic White with a black hood treatment and a Corvette Racing's Jack at the center bulge of the hood with red accents. NCM's logo is also present on the car's B pillar. This particular car is a six speed manual, with dual mode exhaust and a ZR1 rear spoiler. Tickets for the raffle cost $150 each. Only 2,009 tickets are being sold, so you want to act fast if you want a shot at the car. Second prize is $10,000 and third prize is $5,000. The Vette will be auctioned off on September 6th at the Museum's 15th anniversary celebration.
Rebodied Corvettes with Italian flair is a time honored tradition, one that was lost for many years but has recently gained steam again. Recent examples include the Castagna Aznom and Bertone Mantide, and now we have the SV 9 Competizione to add to the list. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was clearly the inspiration for this Italian Corvette. Whether you love or hate the interesting front end styling, there's no doubt that this is a unique ride that will turn some heads. And all for a reasonable price of $99,995. Once you get beyond the unique body work, there is more to see in the Competizione that differentiates it from a common Corvette. The interior is stitched up in a nice supple leather, and a new intake and exhaust result in a 14 horsepower boost that take the total horses up to 450 and take the car to 60 in a claimed four seconds flat and a 12 second quarter mile. A new set of wheels fitted with Pirelli Pzero Rosso tires help the car brake from 60 to 0 in 107 feet and 1.03g on the skidpad. SV will allow you to choose from 25 exterior colors, 5 interior trims, and four wheel choices to further differentiate yourself from the other 1,000 owners, which is all they plan to produce.
Karvajal Designs has been offering appearance enhancing Corvette pieces for a while, and now they are giving up the details on it's C6 enhancing package. The ZX-1 Stage One package includes a completely redesigned body kit that widens the Vette's body to 80 inches, along with front and rear LEDs, custom exhaust, rear diffuser and 18-inch HRE aluminum wheels. Other appearance enhancers include aluminum sill plates, floor mats, flat-bottom steering wheel, and alcantra race seats. A performance package is also available, and includes Baer brakes, a Pfaft coil-over suspension, anti-roll bars, full under-body aero package and a Magnuson supercharger tuned to produce over 600 horsepower. You can get all the details on the ZX-1 at Karvajal's website.
At the annual C5/C6 Bash at the Corvette's Bowling Green Assembly Plant, numerous changes were outlined for the 2010 Corvette line. In addition to the rebirth of the Grand Sport, the latest 'Vette will feature launch control as standard on all manual transmission models, Performance Traction Management on the ZR1, being able to order any Corvette in any color, and a cashmere interior package available on the Z06 and ZR1.
The event also featured presentations showing the Grand Sport's technical aspects and launch control. The most humorous part of the presentation is when the speaker notes that use of launch control will not void your warranty, an obvious jab at Nissan's ironic GT-R warranty.
n2a Motors has made a name for itself in recent years, producing unique coach cars like the 789 and the Anteros. Now they are releasing renderings and clay models of it's next project, dubbed the "Stinger." The Stinger takes visual cues from the 1963-1967 Corvettes and applies them to a C6 Corvette complete with modern chassis and drivetrain. The composite body panels, custom interior, wheels, and exhaust system are all added on. The standard Corvette with a 430hp V8 is used as a base model, with the option of using a Z06 or ZR1 as well. n2a is currently taking deposits to reserve a serial number, with production planned to start in October of this year.
PRESS RELEASE:
n2a Motors announced today that it is accepting deposits on the Stinger, the latest model in their line of critically-acclaimed coachbuilt automobiles. Slated for January 2010 delivery, the Stinger is inspired by the 2nd generation 1963, '65, and '67 Corvette Sting Rays and is built atop the 2009/2010 C6 Corvette chassis.
The '63-67 Corvettes are among the most revered, iconic, and beautiful cars in automotive history. The Stinger pays homage to the historic 2nd generation Corvette with a sleek, carbon-composite body featuring the front end and hood scoop from the 1967 Corvette, a mid-section reminiscent of a '65 Corvette, and the famous split-window rear end of the '63 Corvette, and has a level of performance and safety that engineers of the era could never have dreamed possible. Utilizing a new Corvette donor car, the Stinger achieves 0-60 in 4.3 seconds with a 430 hp/424 lb.-ft. torque LS3 V8 engine rated at 16 MPG city and 26 MPG highway. Since the chassis and safety equipment remain unmodified, GM's 100,000 mile powertrain warranty remains completely intact and the Stinger can be serviced at any GM dealership.
n2a Motors starts by removing the donor Corvette's body panels and installing the new carbon-composite Stinger body, a process that takes over 800 hours for n2a's coachbuilding craftsmen to complete. The interior is entirely new with re-contoured leather seats, leather dash, wool carpeting, and leather-wrapped interior panels. Wheels and cat-back exhaust are removed and replaced with n2a's custom-made components. The n2a moniker stands for "no two alike," referring to n2a Motors' policy of building unique vehicles for each customer. No two vehicles will be built with identical color combinations, ensuring that each customer receives a unique car customized to his or her tastes.
n2a Motors has reserved serial numbers 001,002, and 003 for ZR1-based Stingers. Featuring the 638-hp LS9 engine, the ZR1 is the fastest and most powerful Corvette ever produced. Stingers built on the ZR1 platform rocket from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205+ mph. Serial numbers 004-010 are reserved for Z06-based Stingers, which are 505 hp with a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds. n2a Motors is accepting deposits to reserve a serial number and a place in the production order. Production is expected to commence October 1st.
The Stinger is n2a's third model, following the successful 789 and Anteros models that debuted in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Both are built on the C6 Corvette platform and utilize carbon-composite bodies, a carry-over from n2a's background in stealth technology prototyping for military contractors. About n2a Motors
n2a Motors was founded in 2004 to revive the art of American coachbuilding. The n2a moniker stands for "no two alike," referring to n2a Motors' policy of building unique vehicles for each customer. No two vehicles will be built with identical color combinations. Kanter Concepts, n2a's parent company, produces concept cars for Detroit and foreign automakers and stealth technology prototypes for military contractors.
Could GM possibly be considering going retro with the next Corvette? The signs are there, sparking generous rumors. With the next iteration being delayed indefinitely, and other car makers experiencing great success with the retro look, it would come as no surprise if Chevrolet pulled the trigger.
We reported a few weeks ago about an enthusiast by the name of Christian Cyrulewski, who has taken matters into his own hands by using the third-generation Corvette as inspiration for a rebodied C6, the current version of America's sports car. This is the second version of the C3R, as it's designer calls it, and it's received some tweaks since last time we showed it to you, with more to come we're told.
Design elements like the Mako Shark-inspired front fender peaks and steeply flowing rear buttresses from the early C3 series are present, as are hideaway head lights, which were a Corvette staple until the latest C6.
While there are no firm plans to produce a car based on these renderings, past indications are that Cyrulewski would like to see the first C3R running down Woodward Avenue for next year's Dream Cruise.
While many would argue that the current C6 Corvette is by far the best Vette ever, it's appearance leaves a little to be desired for those looking to stand out. The current design isn't so much different from the last two generations, and one could argue that it's high time for a change.
Count Christian Cyrulewski among those who are bored with the C6. But unlike the rest of us who would probably just complain about it with our buddy's, he's taken matters into his own hands and created the C3R prototype. If it generates enough interest, Christian may offer a kit version of the car.
Christian plans to drive the car in the Woodward Dream Cruise next year. Like your retro style musclecar with some muscle? Christian also plans a 427-powered version of the kit complete with side pipes. No word yet on pricing or availability of the car, but we'll keep you posted.
There are a lot of legendary Corvettes - – the L88, ZL1 and Z06 to name a few. None, however, have obtained the legendary status of the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport.
Only five were produced by the "father of the Corvette", Zora Arkus-Duntov, to battle with Shelby's Cobra roadsters before General Motors cancelled its motorsports activities in 1964.
The Grand Sports are rarely offered up for sale, and this is the first time one is being put up for auction. Both RM and Keith Martin, publisher of Corvette Market Magazine, have declared the car to be the most important Corvette ever to be offered for sale.
This particular Grand Sport is chassis #002 and is one of only two roadsters. It features a completely original unrestored body and was previously owned by Roger Penske and George Wintersteen. No price estimates were given, but the bidding will surely go into the millions of dollars.
Image via WikipediaAccording to multiple unnamed sources speaking with Autoweek, General Motors has put its plans for a C7 Corvette on "indefinite hold, with no official or set timetable." That's a pretty broad admission, but not entirely surprising considering the financial issues plaguing GM, the rest of the domestics and the world as a whole.
Originally it was thought that the current C6 Corvette would undergo significant upgrades over the course of the next five years, with the C7 coming to market in 2014. That timeframe doesn't appear to hold water anymore, and Autoweek maintains that GM's leadership doesn't have a clear plan for what the future holds for the 'Vette, not to mention the rest of the General's lineup.
However, Corvette vehicle-line executive Tom Wallace assured the weekly pub that the halo coupe isn't going anywhere. "We're still working on future Corvettes," Wallace said, and "there are changes, some neat stuff, coming for 2010 that I can't talk about yet." Wallace went on to say that the 2010 model wouldn't be considered an all-new car and that the 35-mpg CAFE standards for 2020 are having an effect on future drivetrains specs of the next Corvette.
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