ZR1 redux - Page 4

SpoiledMan · 01-10-08, 05:54

Ehhh, David did you see the picture of the 32 valve engine??

Aurora40 · 01-10-08, 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Looks like a 1990 ZR-1 to me? Wide wheels / rockers...

Were the 3rd brake lights built into the bumper on 90 ZR-1's or on the roof? How else can you tell from your pic?

The convex bumper and black body line molding can only be a 1990 ZR-1. The 3rd brake light was on the roof for all ZR-1's, though the 1991 regular Corvette (and all convertibles) had it in the rear bumper. I suspect the cost of retooling the bumper for a low-volume car is why the Z kept it up top. Plus of course the downforce it adds!

In that picture you could make out the wider body if you have an eagle eye. I find it hard to tell. Easier to spot is the lower rocker panels. They curve back out near the bottom. On a standard Corvette it does not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoiledMan

Ehhh, David did you see the picture of the 32 valve engine??

Heheh, that of course is the easiest way!

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that the site it was hosted on was flaking out.

Lastly you could tell from the license plate on the wall.

David Fermani · 01-10-08, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora40

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that the site it was hosted on was flaking out.

I forgot I was on my company's connection and the motor pic didn't load. I disconnected and there it was - plain as day. That's thing's huge!!! Sweet.

JuneBug · 01-11-08, 10:24

Just wait till Car and Driver or Motor Trend do a story, my bet is that it'll be the best bang for the buck and they'll still nit-pick it to death, though the glowing review of the Malibu may be a sign of change.

grease · 01-11-08, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

Just wait till Car and Driver or Motor Trend do a story, my bet is that it'll be the best bang for the buck and they'll still nit-pick it to death, though the glowing review of the Malibu may be a sign of change.

Have you ever thought that maybe GM is finally starting to make well rounded vehicles? I've never been a big fan of MT or C&D, but they are not as horrible as people make them out to be.

I remember when they first tested the 1st gen CTS and gave it a 'decent attempt'. And all the pro-GM/Caddy forums gave them hell because of the review. Now 6 years later, Cadillac improves everything C&D/MT said was wrong with the first gen...now all the forums are saying the magazines have finally gotten it right.

I say GM has finally gotten it right...

Aurora40 · 01-12-08, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by grease

I remember when they first tested the 1st gen CTS and gave it a 'decent attempt'. And all the pro-GM/Caddy forums gave them hell because of the review. Now 6 years later, Cadillac improves everything C&D/MT said was wrong with the first gen...now all the forums are saying the magazines have finally gotten it right.

Go read a C&D review of a car like the Infiniti G35 when it first came out. Look specifically at their comments about the interior. Then read one on the CTS from when it first came out. Look specifically at their comments about the interior.

Then go look for yourself at the interior of a 1st gen G35 and CTS. Tell me then if you think the magazines got it right.

They cautiously praised the G35, and ripped the CTS. While the CTS interior didn't set any standards, I thought it was of reasonable quality, certainly acceptable. The G35 had one of the cheapest looking and feeling interiors I've ever seen.

Anyway, none of this has much to do with the new ZR1. I would love to hear what the pricing will be. I couldn't afford one no matter what it is, but I guess it'll give me an idea of how much they have to depreciate before I can afford one...

Corvette is really showing the benefits of pushrods. While they may not result in high power per liter, they result in high power, and a compact and light engine with high fuel efficiency. Even with a blower on it, the weight is still low. Compare it to the DOHC supercharged Mustang Cobra, that thing weighed more than most family sedans.

Aurora40 · 01-12-08, 08:27

Here's a video of the car:

YouTube - ZR1 Corvette Racing on Track - EXCLUSIVE - Garage419

paul34 · 01-12-08, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora40

They cautiously praised the G35, and ripped the CTS. While the CTS interior didn't set any standards, I thought it was of reasonable quality, certainly acceptable. The G35 had one of the cheapest looking and feeling interiors I've ever seen.

I'd have to disagree. Both had terrible interiors in the first gen. The CTS continued the "old-school" GM approach of 80's drab, illogical approach of needless curves, disgusting squishy black... something (vinyl? I have no idea), and a pathetic attempt at "airplane cockpit" design that is definitely very 80s - an era where interiors didn't matter.

However, the first gen G35's interior just makes me very - unhappy, I guess. It's still bad, but at least the overall design is kind of, barely, logical (still doesn't make it anywhere near good, though). Extremely nasty materials, very nasty colors, and extremely poor fit and finish (shockingly bad, in fact). You'll also see such build "quality" on the '04 Altimas as well (my sister has one). It's weird, but it actually elicits negative *emotion* in me.

Anyway, sorry for the off-topic!

Aurora40 · 01-12-08, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul34

and extremely poor fit and finish (shockingly bad, in fact).

Yes, it was more the fit/finish I was referring to than the design/layout. I remember the G35 I checked out had flashing from the mold on the interior door release handle. It was so rough as to scratch your hand if you ran it across it. The handle also had significant flex as you pulled on it. Many of the surfaces were like this with rough edges, and the "nickel" paint on the center stack looked like something from a rattle can.

I don't recall the CTS having any sort of problems like that. Though the layout was hardly exciting, but it wasn't bad. The G35 was bad. And yeah, the Altima seemed to have similar finish. They seemed to use that flimsy interior door handle in every car, though the Q45 at least had it chrome covered so you couldn't feel the flashing.

96dcmss · 01-13-08, 09:44

Aurora40, very nice ZR-1 you have there!

Aurora40 · 01-13-08, 03:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96dcmss

Aurora40, very nice ZR-1 you have there!

Thanks!

Autofan · 01-19-08, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96dcmss

Aurora40, very nice ZR-1 you have there!

Agreed gotta love that LT5!

I cannot wait until this animal gets released and watch all of the other manufacturers scramble and try and compete.

GM has a very impressive lineup with the new CTS V, ZR1, Pontiac G8,Malibu and lets not forget the new Camaro.