Daily Slideshow: What We Know So Far About the 2019 ZR1 Corvette
Corvette's much-speculated 2019 ZR1 is still months away before hitting dealerships, but the things we've heard so far go a long way to justify the hype.
1. An entrance fit for a King
Corvette really knows how to pull out the stops for their ZR1 performance variant. The ZR1's always been a curious release, doubling down on the Corvette's slick performance to the point where it might seem wasted on anything other than the test track.
If you've heard much about the 2019 ZR1, you'll know how this particular model is being treated as something very special. It's all too common for early hype to get out of hand, but enough people have said stuff along the lines of "perfection" and "best Corvette" that there must be something to it. From everything we've seen and heard from the moment this swift-wheeled beauty got its launch in Dubai onwards, this ZR1 seems like it might be poised to take over the world.
>>Join the conversation about Corvette's 2019 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.
2. What makes this car so special anyway?
Starting off on a lesser note, 2019 will be the first model year since 1970 where the ZR1's been offered in a convertible droptop format. If you're looking for more robust proof of excellence, how about the fierce LT5 engine packing 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque?
When you consider its production quantity and the relatively conservative pricing, this Corvette is in a league of its own. Ferrari still lays claim to the ultimate mantle of supercar champion. Sure, and if you wanted to get a little more personal about it, you might bring up the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon getting its slight edge on the ZR1 in raw horsepower. Between the publicized specs and glowing reviews so far, however, it seems like the ZR1 manages to take the cake with handling and drivability. The Dodge Demon may gloat about its horses, but it's not hard to imagine the ZR1 beating it in a race that didn't involve barrelling ahead in one direction.
>>Join the conversation about Corvette's 2019 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.
3. You might hear it before you see it
In practically every report where auto journalists have been given ZR1 access in advance, there's some mention of the noise this car can make. It's been hyped by Corvette themselves as the loudest car they've ever made. Neighbors of future ZR1 owners the world over might not be thrilled about the prospect, but fortunately for them, the car comes with four exhaust settings to dampen the sound in the case a liberating stretch of highway is nowhere in sight.
>>Join the conversation about Corvette's 2019 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.
4. How will it stack up against the mid-engine C8?
While the automotive world has been up in a roar over the ZR1, there's still been that quiet knowledge that the next generation in Corvette's flagship series is well on its way. Most impressively, the mid-engine C8 will reportedly outdo the ZR1 in raw power, supposedly ranking in at over 800(!) horsepower. Other than some vague statements and leaked documents, we won't know much until the powers-that-be decide otherwise. Chevrolet has been keeping its collective voices low about it, presumably because they don't want the C8 hype to conflict with the ZR1.
>>Join the conversation about Corvette's 2019 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.
5. A cutting-edge alternative for the Corvette purist?
The 2019 ZR1 has been getting all of the fuss right now, but we already know that it will inevitably be compared to the C8 when both are available for sale. Apart from reportedly being a dream to race and handle, the fairly radical redesigns Chevy have opted for with the C8 means the ZR1 might earn additional cred among purists simply for the fact that it is not the C8. For one, switching the layout to a mid-engine placement is a large enough step that some might have a hard time seeing it as a true successor to the Corvette nameplate. Besides, based on everything we've seen, the ZR1 looks way cooler anyway.
>>Join the conversation about Corvette's 2019 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.
6. The very first 2019 ZR1 has already been sold.
In what has become something of a tradition for US automakers, the very first 2019 ZR1 to roll off the assembly line was auctioned off for the sake of charity. In this case, Chevrolet chose the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a non-profit that provides aid to people working in emergency services and their families. Hosted by the car-specializing auctioneers at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, this very first ZR1 was ultimately sold for a whopping $925,000. If the great things people have been raving about the ZR1 turn out to be true, the winning bidder is privy to a special piece of auto history. It will still be a year or so before we see the full extent of the 2019 ZR1's success on the market, but unless the C8 somehow manages to blow it out of the water, this is going to go down in 'Vette history as one of the very best.
>>Join the conversation about Corvette's 2019 ZR1 right here in Corvette Forum.
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