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Gotta love this: I got an e-mail form Corvette Action Center.

Chevrolet Announces Certified Power Ratings For The New Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The FINANCIAL -- When it was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s power was estimated at 100 horsepower for each of its 6.2 liters of displacement.

GM Powertrain has completed SAE certification of the ZR1’s supercharged LS9 V-8 and the results exceed the estimate: 638 horsepower (476 kW) and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm).

The LS9’s output is nearly 103 horses per liter, or just about 1.7 horses for each of the engine’s 376 cubic inches. It is unquestionably the most powerful automotive production engine ever manufactured by General Motors and enables the Corvette ZR1 to achieve a top speed of more than 200 mph (322 km/h).

"One of the most amazing things about the Corvette ZR1 is the level of refinement that our designers and engineers have attained. Even with all that power, this car has road manners that will allow our customers to enjoy it on the streets as a daily driver, and on the track," said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper.

The Corvette ZR1 goes on sale this summer. Its 638-hp supercharged engine is complemented in the chassis by heavy-duty components not offered in any other model, including a six-speed manual transmission with race-hardened gears and dual-disc clutch technology that delivers exceptional clamping power and lower inertia, as well as strengthened axle components.

Fuel economy testing has not been completed, but engineers are confident the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus-horsepower car on the market.

The LS9 engine is hand-built by specially trained technicians at GM’s Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich. It is a unique, small-volume engine production facility that also builds the Chevrolet Corvette Z06’s LS7 engine and other high-performance GM production engines.

“Developing the LS9 involved more than simply striving for a great horsepower number. Endurance and reliability testing have shown the engine to be robust and low-maintenance, just like other engines in the small-block family,” said Sam Winegarden, executive director, engine engineering for GM Powertrain. “That it is distinguished as the most powerful engine ever from General Motors is a source of immense pride among everyone involved with the LS9.”

Supercharged aspiration

The key enabler of the LS9’s performance is the industry’s first production application of a new, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger that has a unique four-lobe rotor design. Its design promotes quieter and more efficient performance, while the large, 2.3-liter displacement ensures adequate air volume at high rpm. Maximum boost pressure is 10.5 psi (0.72 bar). It is teamed with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance.

“The combination of large displacement and the new, four-lobed rotor design broadens the effective range of the supercharger, allowing the engine to make more power at lower rpm and sustain it throughout the power band,” said Winegarden. “The low-end torque is tremendous and the high-rpm charge from the supercharger is simply amazing.”

A raised hood provides adequate clearance for the LS9, while a polycarbonate window in the hood provides a view of the engine beneath it.

LS9 details

The LS9 features many unique design and manufacturing details that support its high-performance nature. They include:

Aluminum cylinder block with iron cylinder liners that are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed

Forged steel crankshaft with a nine-bolt flange

Titanium connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons

Stronger, rotocast cylinder heads with 2.16-inch (55 mm) titanium intake valves and 1.59-inch (40.4 mm) hollow-stem, sodium-filled exhaust valves

Camshaft with 0.555-inch (14.1 mm) lift for excellent idle and low-speed driving qualities

A dry-sump oiling system with 10.5-quart (9.9 liters) capacity

Integrated oil cooler and piston-cooling oil squirters

Intercooler cover visible through the hood window that features ZR1-unique blue accents and “LS9 SUPERCHARGED” embossed on the left and right sides
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That car is going to be so ridiculous. I love it.

 

Awesome, but they still should have done it without going FI.

Christian

 

Wow! This thing is going to be a screamer! Props to GM for having the ***** to bring a beast like this to the streets. Maybe now Ford will step up the game and build something like the GT again, perhaps a production version of the Shelby Coupe concept with at least 650 hp? I love these horsepower wars....so many great new cars coming out!

 

Word. I love it! I don't think anyone can deny the sheer insanity of this car (in a good way)!

 

Effin sweet...

 

Maybe the last chapter in th HP wars...

 

I'm interested to hear how you think they could have got 638hp naturally aspirated and meet emissions.

 

With a V16 of course.

Can you say 8 mpg?

 

ZR1 is not naturally aspirated, it is a supercharged car. Sorry to disappoint Corvette owners but on the tack I hammered a Z06 chipped out. 3.6 liter with twin tubos beating a modded 7.0 liter engine, not good.

 

Are you just trying to pick a fight with me or are you being serious????

 

Your car is bone-stock? Who was the better driver?

 

I was not trying to **** anyone off, just stating the facts. The car is a twin turbo GT28 with 680rwhp on 100 ocatne. I like vette's also don't get me wrong, but traction becomes problematic unless you run slicks. I can not argue that the new ZR1 is going to be the unltimate GM car and I commend them for that. Not picking on anyone, I like all cars myself.
Peace

 

Who said it wasn't?

 

Not trying to pick a fight. I'm serious.