2009 C6 Chevrolet Corvette vs 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Engine, Handling, and Pricing

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 are the high-power editions of the iconic Chevy Vette. The Corvette Z06 starts around $74,000 while the Corvette ZR1 prices in the $104,000 range. The ZR1 and Z06 are 2-doors, 2-person coupes, and both offer a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty and drivetrain, roadside, and rust warranties. These super-powerd V8’s are offered in 4 interior and 7 exterior color chips.

Engine and transmission

The 2009 Corvette Z06 is substantially less expensive than the 2009
Corvette ZR1 and offers a powerful 7.0L, V8 engine, 16-valve, overhead
cam with 505 HP capacity and 470 pound-feet of torque. The 2009
Corvette ZR1 is offered in a 6.2L, V8 engine, 16-valve, overhead cam
and 638 HP capacity and 604 pound-feet of torque. The Corvettes are
offered with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Both Corvette models are equipped with a dry-sump oil system and a
double wishbone suspension. The Corvette Z06 has massive six-piston
front and four-pistion rear ventilated disc brakes. The Corvette ZR1
has the Brembo® Carbon Ceramic disc brake system.

Comfort and Fuel Economy

The 2009 Corvette offers premium leather interior with sport seating,
front cup holders, and power outside mirror adjustments for driver and
passengers, cruise control and speed-proportional power steering
adjustment. Both models offer optional leather and alloy interior trim.
Both models have keyless access with push-button start, new variable
ratio steering, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a remote
anti-theft alarm system.

Both Corvettes are approximately the same length and weight with
exactly the same interior dimensions with 22.4 cubic feet of luggage
capacity. Both models are equipped with a XM satellite radio with
3-months of complimentary service, CD player with MP3 playback, seven
speakers, and voice-activated navigation system, a hands-free phone,
OnStar with 1-year of complimentary service and an optional Bose stereo
system.

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 fuel economy is 15 miles per gallon in the city
and 24 on the highway. The 2009 Corvette Z06 gets 14 miles per gallon
in the city and 20 on the highway.

Handling

The 2009 Corvette sports rear-wheel drive and four-wheel independent
suspension, providing better traction for inclement weather conditions.
The run-flat tires on both models give them more stable dry traction.
However, the Z06 Extended Mobility Tires are 10 inches wider. Both

models have painted alloy wheels as standard equipment.

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 and the Z06 are touted for their strong exotic
car performance, driver functionality, smooth ride, sharp handling,
style and their relatively impressive fuel economy.