R8 and ZR1

[desperado]

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our family, the ZR1 Corvette. These photos were taken at the new Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in Desert Center, Southern California.

I'm in the ZR1, behind my son in our R8. This downhill section is the exit of the off-camber turn 9 and is in the middle of a set of esses:

I'm driving the R8 in this one. After exiting turn 17 DespeJr will use the ZR1's 638 HP (550 RWHP) to pass me on the front straight:

Photos by www.CaliPhotography.com

[harrison]

Everything is nice about your pics, right down to the Gecko's skin matching the rumble strips ! It must get insanely hot there. Is there plenty of shade there ?(I hope) . Great shots. Hi Res.?

[SteveR]

Nice pics. Looks like a lot of fun.

So, is the ZR1 really the better, more raw car?

[desperado]

So, is the ZR1 really the better, more raw car?

Better?
No, but in many aspects it's not worse either.
More raw?
If you are talking about the track behavior: Pretty evenly matched in the controlled environment of the track.
If you are referring to the road behavior: Definitely. Nothing touches the Audi in the real world of public roads.
If you are asking about the interior materials, fit & finish: Yes. Even though it is nice, it is still a Chevy.
If you mean exhaust sound: Yes, even stock it is pretty cool when the valves open! And, you can just pull a fuse and they stay open all the time - then it has a wonderful snarling, popping character on decelleration, but an annoying drone on the highway.
Faster?
Yes, due primarily to the additional 220 HP / 285 LB-FT
Handling?
Surprisingly good. After seeing Randy Pobst's videos and Top Gear I was expecting a monster. On the contrary, the car is wonderful on the track. We were comfortable turning the active handling to the lowest setting almost immediately. Note that the active handling system for 2010 has changed from the 2009 model that Pobst tested. They now call it PTM, for Performance Traction Management. It has more setting levels (5); even so I'm pretty sure it can't be turned off all the way!

The car is wicked fast, but does have a slight tendency towards instability when the front suspension is upset at speed. I can imagine that turn 1 at Laguna Seca would really get your attention, and perhaps Turn 3 at Spring Mountain as well. Both are very high speed kinks, with an elevation change thrown in at Laguna. I would want to work up to full speed in these turns carefully. I think it has to do with the stiffness of the huge PS2 ZP (run flat) tires, which btw are incredibly grippy for a street tire.

The car weighs less than the R8 and has quite a bit of high technology in it, including an all aluminum frame with magnesium front and rear subframes, loads of carbon fiber body panels, magnetic ride suspension, and huge Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. Memory seats for two drivers, keyless ignition, dual zone climate control and a heads-up display round out the list of gee-whiz items that would be nice to see on the R8 someday. www.chevrolet.com/corvette-zr1/ The wishlist is short and includes more lateral support in the seats, a factory harness bar, and better visibility out the rear, along with parking sensors and a backup camera.

[desperado]

Everything is nice about your pics, right down to the Gecko's skin matching the rumble strips ! It must get insanely hot there. Is there plenty of shade there ?(I hope) . Great shots. Hi Res.?

We were there in early April, and it was 90degF on the second afternoon. And no, there is zero shade except for whatever you bring with you. Photos are in my Gallery, you can get higher res if you view them there.

[dailydriver]

Nice addition to the stable. Even if this car has some faults it has tremendous performance and must be very high on the fun factor.

[OEMplus.com]

Congrats on the new toy and thanks for stopping by to chat today!