The ZR1 is like being spoon-fed a hot-fudge sundae by a supermodel and then winning the lottery. Incidentally, the latter is something most of us would need in order to afford one, as the ZR1 is the most expensive production 'Vette ever. The ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mph. The Corvette's chief engineer, Tadge Juechter , says the 2009 Corvette ZR1 may be the last in a long tradition of Detroit performance cars, endangered by stronger federal fuel economy regulations and limits on carbon dioxide emissions.

Corvette spokespeople then explain that pound for pound (or Dollar for Dollar) the ZR1 is way cheaper than the supercar competition name-dropped above. Ones that look super and have body-badging that symbolize breeding and class. Corvette does not have the name of an F430, does not have the building quality of a Ferrari or a Porsche. Corvette is 1000 time less complicated than any of these cars. Corvette dealers will be at the show to take orders.

Carbon fiber is reportedly being used heavily in the body of the car to reduce weight, with A and B pillars as well as the blacked-out roof being made out of the lightweight yet massively strong material. Carbon fiber finds its way to the hood, front fenders, roof, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings; some of it's painted, some of it's just clear coat The overall look is close to the Z06, but more aggressive and purposeful, without the visual craziness of a certain snaky Dodge . Carbon fiber was previously used on the Corvette, but GM wanted to show it off on the ZR1 and a new clear coat that blocks ultra-violet rays finally allowed them to do it.

Power is controlled by a new six-speed manual that makes good use of all six gears; the sixth is top gear, unlike on other Corvettes, where it is strictly an economy gear. The gears are crisp and the clutch is light, so gear shifting is something you're not likely to think too much about. Power is expected to be 620 bhp (462 kW) and torque 823 Nm (607 lb ft). This is transmitted to the rear wheels via a new six-speed manual gearbox and twin-plate clutch.

GM is putting out a huge effort, though, on perfecting a leather package that will appeal to the masses, while also tightening up the fit and finish. However, today we are thinking about the motor in this SuperCar. GM has released to the media a New ZR1 Video running over 200 MPH and leaving everyone else on this high speed test track in the dust. EVS on location was able to capture home video of the exclusive debut of this video. GM quotes a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds, achieved in the steep first gear. The quarter-mile mark subsequently whisks by in 11.3 seconds at 131 mph, on the way to a top speed of 205 mph in sixth gear.

Chevrolet is expecting to produce just 2,000 2009 Corvette ZR1’s this year. If you plan to be a proud owner I hope you have been saving your pennies and not investing in real estate (at least not FL real estate but that is for another post). Chevrolet said the ZR1 has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. However, the EPA has yet to post any official numbers about the ZR1 on its Web site. Chevrolet officially kicked off series production of the 2009 Corvette ZR1 at its Bowling Green KY assembly plant this week and decided to celebrate by inviting the media out to drive the new "King of the Hill". Since there are still several more waves of writers scheduled to drive the cars over the next week, we can't tell you what we thought of how it drives just yet.

The ZR1 is built on the same aluminum-intensive chassis as the Corvette Z06 and features similar independent SLA front and rear suspensions, with aluminum upper and lower control arms. Where the ZR1 differs is the suspension tuning, which was optimized for the car’s steamroller-wide front and rear tires. The ZR1, according to Chevy engineers, sports a power to weight ratio that is nothing short of outstanding. It is said to have a better power to weight ratio than the Porsche GT2, the Ferrari 599 and the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. The ZR1 is an incredibly capable track machine, but unlike most ultra-high performance cars, it is very easy to live with on a daily basis.