Hardware
Under the hood, the 2009 ZR1 features the LS9 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Chevrolet more than meets its goal for this supercharged, all-aluminum, overhead valve engine, as it delivers an SAE-certified 638 hp and approximately 604 lb.-ft. of torque. GM says the engine will make approximately 300 hp at 3000 rpm and 320 lb.-ft. of torque at as low as 1000 rpm. The torque peak will come at about 4000 rpm and hp will peak at about 6500 rpm.

The LS9 will have titanium connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons. It will use an Eaton Roots-type supercharger and a liquid-to-air charge intercooler. Like the Corvette Z06, the ZR1 will use a dry sump oiling system that ensures adequate oiling in high-speed corners and allows the engine to sit lower for a lower center of gravity.

The LS9 will be mated to a new Tremec 6-speed manual transmission. While the Z06 has a single-disc clutch, the ZR1's transmission will have a twin-disc clutch system that can better handle the LS9's torque output. Fuel economy numbers have not been announced.

The ZR1's suspension design will be the same as in other Corvettes, but its front and rear stabilizer bars will be thicker. By making MSRC standard, Chevrolet engineers were able to fit the ZR1 with front and rear springs that are slightly softer than those of the Z06. The wheels and tires will be larger. It will have P285/30ZR19 front and P335/25ZR20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires on ZR1-exclusive 20-spoke alloy wheels.

The brakes will use vented and cross-drilled carbon-ceramic rotors, 15.5 inches in diameter up front and 15 inches in the rear. These are GM's first ceramic rotors, and GM says they save 11 pounds at each corner. Six-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers will be used and the front pads will be twice the size of those found on the Z06.