Decisions, Decisions: Corvette Coupe v. ZR1

By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG GM

THERE is much to recommend GM’s plastic fantastic.

Besides the brash styling that broadcasts American brawn, on paper, Corvette remains a bargain:

For $48,930 you have the low entry-point to start the Chevrolet LS3 V8; a righteous 6.2 liter, 430 horsepower engine that makes 424 lb-ft of torque happen @ 4600 rpm.

Couple that with a moderate curb weight of 3,208 lbs and the standard coupe’s good for the claimed 190 mph top speed.

Better still, it’ll average 26 mpg which is thriftier on regular than my Saab convertible.

But here’s the question – Would you pay better than twice the price to buy the Corvette ZR1?

For $106,880 you get the Chevrolet LS9 V8; 638 horsepower that summons 604 lb-ft of torque.

Massively powerful, GM’s slotting this beast against the likes of Ferrari (599) and Lamborghini (Gallardo).

To add that it’s still cheaper than its competition means less than the virtues of the ZR1′s aluminum frame along with “visible carbon fiber components” that grant a power to weight ratio advantage over the Italians.

Oh, and top speed is 205 mph.

Does this make the ZR1 twice the Vette?

Having driven (only briefly) the standard coupe, it’s easy to say a staunch “Hell, No!” And they both look pretty much the same, aside from the ZR1′s quad pipes and tacky see-thru engine window on the hood.

Nevertheless, track considerations are another matter.

True, it’s unlikely that many buyers cross shop Ferraris with Vettes.

Prancing Horse buyers factor an image/performance decision ratio of somewhere around 60/40. For Lamborghini, we could argue 65/35. The ZR1 appeals to those who seek raw performance in a car destined for racing.

The difference is, however, that unlike, say, a Viper which exacts its might with all the finesse of a jackhammer, the Vette remains a sharp implement.

Handling, braking, and the effects of accelerative force are all considered in what amounts to GM’s best engineering efforts this side of the CTS-V.

Short of driving both cars, we can safely surmise that the standard Vette minus all the fixin’s (Carbon fiber brakes, HUD, etc.) represents the superior value. The ZR1 is less bang for your buck and more of an all-in American style.