Blue Devil, Corvette SS, ZR1... the names have been tossed around for months now, but yesterday was the unveiling of this long rumored super Vette at the Detroit Auto Show. Looks like they may settle on the ZR1 moniker, although the Chevy gang still has about 10 months to change their collective minds. When this beast does hit the streets later this year, it will be the most powerful production Chevy ever built. That's a big boast, but check out it's pedigree.



Aside from the nifty see through hood panel, and the numerous carbon fiber dodads, the big noise on this Vette is the upgrade of the already bad news 427 cubic inch 505 horsepower engine in the Z06 (which will remain in production) into a Supercharged, albeit slightly smaller 6.2 liter powerplant. The forced air charge turns this small block into a 620 horsepower monster. This engine will be known as Z09, and already more pedestrian automobiles cower in fear when the name is uttered in their presence.



Indeed this Vette looks pretty snarky as well. It will also be pricey, but we are talking about a chariot for Zeus here, so 100K is supposed to be a deal compared to the few other cars on planet earth that can dance with it. Of course, the customary greed factor by dealerships will no doubt increase the bottom line significantly. If my fairy godmomma were to wave a magic wand, and one of these showed up in the driveway, I'd be very pleased, but I'd still have to be critical of the hideous plastic dish draining rack that is affixed to the miraculously powerful engine.



When will car manufacturers understand that tupperware does not look like a performance accessory? Wouldn't you want to actually see the huffer if you had a supercharged car? I'd also hate to have to pay for a replacement 20" hi-perf tire, but I suppose if you can stand 100 Grand for the privilege, then the expensive rubber doesn't mean too much in the grand scheme of things.

This new uber Vette makes the Corvette experience a three tiered concept nowadays. Your basic garden variety Vette (not chopped liver by any stretch), then the seriously pumped up Z06, and now this Frankenstein on wheels. I think I'd still prefer to have a well done tri-five, but this is pretty impressive as new cars go. Go to one of the numerous Corvette blogs on the web for non-stop chatter about this one. Some righteous photos (like the ones posted) can be downloaded here in case you want some nice modern wallpaper for your computer desktop.

LK