2009 Corvette ZR1 Hits 638 Horsepower, 200+MPH

Photo from Serious Wheels

Popular Mechanics reports the new ZR1 will feature GM’s hardest pumping engine ever. With the sky rocketing cost of fuel will the car be a boom or bust?

"The Corvette ZR1 is shaping up to become the beastliest of just about any supercar. Chevrolet just announced that the ZR1's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 would deliver a whopping 638 hp and 604 lb.-ft. of torque. That's 18 more ponies than the original estimate back at the Detroit auto show in January (click here for video, here for more pix and here for history).

And that makes this Vette's LS9 the most powerful automotive production engine General Motors has ever produced. It's also six more horses than Lamborghini's top dog, the LP 640—now that's really impressive. Chevy says the horsepower and torque were necessary to help the ZR1 achieve a top speed of more than 200 mph. The supercharged 376 cid V8 is routed to a six-speed manual with race-hardened gears and a dual-disc clutch technology, for better clamping power and lower inertia. And all that power is delivered to strengthened rear axle components. Could GM be anticipating smoky burnouts? Natch.

GM says the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-hp car in the industry at 26 mpg on the highway—not exactly a shocker, given how thrifty the 505-hp Z06 rides.

We can't wait to get behind the wheel of that ZR1. But when we do, fuel economy probably won't be the first thing on our mind. —Ben Stewart"

For more on the 2009 ZR1 checkout PM's Video at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show as well as MotorTrends 2009 ZR1 First look