Corvette: Year By Year

    

About The Corvette

    

Corvette Specs

    

2019 Corvette

2019 Corvette ZR1:
The Return of the King

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, LA Auto Show

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, LA Auto Show

Close2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, LA Auto Show

Chevrolet announced the 2019 Corvette ZR1 at the Dubai Auto Show on November 12, 2017.

As with the Corvette Z06, the ZR1 intentions were purely racetrack oriented. While capable of boulevard cruising or even grocery getting, the first priority for the ZR1 is track day dominance. The price is $119,995.00.

Rated at 755 horsepower @ 6300 rpm (SAE certified) the LT5 Engine was an advancement of the supercharging technology found in the Corvette Z06 which was introduced in 2015. Torque is 715 lb.- ft. @ 4400 rpm (SAE certified). This makes the 2019 ZR1 the most powerful Corvette ever. Displacement is 6.2 liters (376 cu. in. / 6162 cu. cc.), the same as the standard Stingray, Grand Sport and Z06 C7 Corvettes.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in Sebring Orange

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in Sebring Orange

Close2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in Sebring Orange

GM commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Corvette with a special Corvette Carbon 65 Edition, offered on Grand Sport 3LT and Z06 3LZ models.

The horsepower gains came via 52% increased supercharger capacity over the LT4 Z06 installation; the 2019 LT5 supercharger displaces 2.65-liters. Also, when compared to the LT4 supercharger found in the Z06, the LT5 unit revs to 15,680 vs. 21,000 RPM; lower revs reduce heat problems and improve efficiency. The LT5 uses an 11 rib serpentine belt (as opposed to eight for the LT4) and it takes 110 horsepower just to turn the supercharger. Peak boost is 13.9 PSI. Sharp eyed observers have noted that a smaller pulley, which would increase boost and horsepower looks possible but GM is quick to point out the upgrade would void the warranty. The cylinder block, connecting rods, pistons and heads are the same as the Z06 but the crankshaft has been improved. The fuel system has significant upgrades with both (primary) direct and (supplemental) port injection. Eco mode, which is part of the Active Fuel Management via cylinder deactivation on LT1 engined Stingrays, is not included with the ZR1.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Shaker Hood Opening

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Shaker Hood Opening

Close2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Shaker Hood Opening
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Carbon Fiber Hood

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Carbon Fiber Hood

Close2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Carbon Fiber Hood

A very distinctive visual cue: the ZR1 hood is a "Shaker" design; a popular '60s trick where the carburetor (or in this case, blower) cover appeared through a hole in the hood (left). The cover shake could be seen by the driver. This was more of a necessity than a gimmick as the increased blower size (2.9 inches higher than the Z06 blower) forced a significantly taller hood (below).

2019 Corvette ZR1 Hood

2019 Corvette ZR1 Hood

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 Hood
2019 Corvette ZR1 Front Air Intake

2019 Corvette ZR1 Front Air Intake

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 Front Air Intake

Cooling had been a problem on C7 Z06 Corvettes that had seen rigorous racetrack use. GM was sensitive to the issue and went to great lengths to solve the problem in the ZR1. The solution was larger front air intakes (above) and 13 radiators / heat exchangers on automatic ZR1s.

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package Rear Wing

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package Rear Wing

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package Rear Wing

The "High Wing", part of the ~$3,000 ZTK Performance Package, which includes a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires, and specific chassis and Magnetic Ride Control tuning for greater cornering grip. Designer Tom Peters told us the aerodynamic performance was the same if the wing was just a simple flat piece but the visual was boring, hence the swoopy shape.

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Standard Rear Wing

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Standard Rear Wing

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Standard Rear Wing

The standard flat wing, aka the "Low Wing".

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package and Standard Rear Wing

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package and Standard Rear Wing

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package and Standard Rear Wing

Above left, right: ZTK Performance Package wing and standard wing. The ZTK wing generates an astounding 950 lbs. of force, so much that it was found necessary to attach it directly to the frame. Had it been simply mounted on the body surface, as most wings are, the downforce would have busted up the bodywork for sure. Note the aggressive end plates.

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package Rear Wing

2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package Rear Wing

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 ZTK Performance Package Rear Wing

One might assume that the ZTK wing (right) is the way to go, but not necessarily. The 950 lbs. generated is great for improving cornering speeds but it adds drag, slowing down top speed and quarter mile acceleration runs. It's one of those "take your pick" dilemmas facing ZR1 buyers, with road racers preferring the ZTK wing. Top speed, which was achieved with the low wing, is a SAE certified 212.48 mph and the quarter mile time is quoted by GM as being in the high 10 second range. Using the high wing reduced the top speed by about 10 mph. The convertible ZR1, which as is typical with convertibles was at an aerodynamic disadvantage, has a 208 mph top speed.

2019 Corvette ZR1 Front Wheel

2019 Corvette ZR1 Front Wheel

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 Front Wheel

Above: The ZR1 front wheels gained ½ inch over the Z06 to 19 x 10.5 inches; the rear wheel remained the same at 20 inch x 12 inches. The bodywork forward of the A pillar is exclusive to the ZR1.

2019 Corvette ZR1 Rear Wheel

2019 Corvette ZR1 Rear Wheel

Close2019 Corvette ZR1 Rear Wheel

2019 Corvette ZR1 Specs

Body Specs

Wheelbase 106.7.00 inches / 2,710 mm.
Overall Length 176.9 inches / 4,493 mm.
Overall Width 77.4 inches / 1,965 mm.
Overall Height 48.6 inches / 1,234 mm.
Front Track 63.6 inches / 1,615 mm.
Rear Track 62.5 inches / 1,588 MM.

Interior Dimensions

Headroom 38 inches / 962 mm.
Legroom 43 inches / 1,092 mm.
Shoulder Room 55 inches / 1,397 mm.
Hip Room 54 inches / 1,371 mm.

Weight and Capacities

Curb Weight 3,524 lb. / 1,568 kg. (Coupe)
3,584 / 1,595 kg. (Convertible)
EPA Passenger Volume 52 Cubic Feet / 1,472 Liters
Cargo Volume 15 Cubic Feet / 425 Liters

Engine

Type LT5 6.2L Supercharged V-8 with direct and port injection
Bore / Stroke 4.06 inches x 3.62 mm. / 103.25 inches x 92 mm.
Block Material Cast Aluminum
Cylinder Head Material Cast Aluminum
Valvetrain Overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery Direct Injection and Port Injection
Horsepower 755 Horsepower @ 6300 rpm (SAE certified)
Torque 715 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm (SAE certified)
Fuel Tank Capacity 18.5 gallons / 70 Liters

Wheels, Tires

Wheel Size Front: 19 inch x 10.5 inch
Rear: 20 inch x 12 inch
Tire Size Front: P285/30ZR19
Rear: P335/25ZR20
Tires Michelin Pilot Super Sport run-flat (standard)
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (ZTK)

Brakes

Type Front and rear power-assisted discs with two-piece carbon ceramic matrix rotors
Fixed six-piston aluminum front calipers
Fixed four-piston aluminum rear calipers
Brake Rotor Size Front 15.5 inches / 394 mm.
Rear 15.3 inches / 388 mm.

Chassis

Front Suspension Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone
Cast aluminum upper and lower control arms
Transverse-mounted composite spring
Magnetic Selective Ride Control
Rear Suspension Short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone
Cast aluminum upper and lower control arms
Transverse-mounted composite spring
Magnetic Selective Ride Control
Steering Variable-ratio rack-and-pinion with electric power assist
Turning Circle 39.2 ft. / 11.6 m
Transmission 7-speed manual with Active Rev Match
or
8-speed paddle-shift automatic
Final Drive Ratio 3.42 (manual)
2.41 (automatic)

2019 Corvette Part Two
2019 Corvette Part Three
2019 Corvette Part Four
2019 Corvette Photographs

2020 Corvette