1064 hp Corvette ZR1

[Papa]

Chevy is all in with the new ZR1:

[gbranham]

It's pretty darn amazing. And Zora will be close to 1300hp. Just nuts. GM has firmly extended two middle fingers to the exotic and hypercar manufacturers. This is Koenigsegg and Bugatti Chiron territory, for $200k, and a $150 oil change at any GM dealer. Just nutty. I've owned many Corvettes over the years, and have recently driven a new Z06 at 670hp. I can't imagine 1064hp. I'd be afraid to drive something like that, honestly.

Greg

[Blitzboy54]

When this type of power becomes everyday affordable (much like the Tesla dual motors) at what point does it become a potential liability. Not everyone is physically equipped to handle this kind of power and the acceleration it creates. Every day Joe or Nancy Blow maybe shouldn't be able to pull a 2 second 0-60. It's only a matter of time before someone panics and runs through someone at a crosswalk or whatnot.

Here's how this works. Someone's loved one gets killed because grandma hit the gas too hard and lost control. Parents, husband, wife sue Chevy/Tesla because they have billions of dollars and made no effort not to be stupid. They win and now everyone loses. Just seems like sometimes just because you can do something maybe you shouldn't?

[gbranham]

When this type of power becomes everyday affordable (much like the Tesla dual motors) at what point does it become a potential liability. Not everyone is physically equipped to handle this kind of power and the acceleration it creates. Every day Joe or Nancy Blow maybe shouldn't be able to pull a 2 second 0-60. It's only a matter of time before someone panics and runs through someone at a crosswalk or whatnot.

Here's how this works. Someone's loved one gets killed because grandma hit the gas too hard and lost control. Parents, husband, wife sue Chevy/Tesla because they have billions of dollars and made no effort not to be stupid. They win and now everyone loses. Just seems like sometimes just because you can do something maybe you shouldn't?

Indeed, GM's legal team had similar concerns about the liability of unleashing such a beast on the general public. But as they say, it's not the gun that kills people.

[Skuzzy]

Is GM making the buyer sign a waiver of liability? If not, they probably should.

[Papa]

Is GM making the buyer sign a waiver of liability? If not, they probably should.

You can make the same argument for any arbitrary hp number. Where is the line to be drawn? 30 years ago, very few cars made more than 200hp, including Corvettes. Today, most cars are over that value with many in the 300-400 hp range for your typical daily drivers. My GMC truck makes 420 hp and the engine is capable of 700+. There are numerous cars available from the manufacturer today that are making 600-800 hp. Those will kill an inexperienced driver just as quickly as something with 1000 hp.

[Dgc333]

FWIW, the Demon 170 Challenger that Dodge is selling has 1025 HP with a MSRP of ~ $120,000.

[JohnK]

When this type of power becomes everyday affordable (much like the Tesla dual motors) at what point does it become a potential liability. Not everyone is physically equipped to handle this kind of power and the acceleration it creates. Every day Joe or Nancy Blow maybe shouldn't be able to pull a 2 second 0-60. It's only a matter of time before someone panics and runs through someone at a crosswalk or whatnot.

Here's how this works. Someone's loved one gets killed because grandma hit the gas too hard and lost control. Parents, husband, wife sue Chevy/Tesla because they have billions of dollars and made no effort not to be stupid. They win and now everyone loses. Just seems like sometimes just because you can do something maybe you shouldn't?

There are plenty of EV's out there with that kind of power. Most Teslas can do 0-60 in sub-3 sec. My 2022 Taycan Turbo S (750hp) will do 0-60 in 2.4 sec. and the new 2025 Taycan is rated at over 1,000 HP and will do 0-60 in 2.1 sec. and was 1 sec. slower than a Rimac Nevera around the Nurburgring. In order to satisfy the lawyers, most, if not all of these cars have you go through some sort of multi-step menu selection process to unleash full power. On my Taycan I have to put it in Sport + mode, then step on the brake, then step on the throttle, wait for the "launch control" message, then let off the brake. Kinda hard to claim you launched it by accident.

[Skuzzy]

You can make the same argument for any arbitrary hp number. Where is the line to be drawn? 30 years ago, very few cars made more than 200hp, including Corvettes. Today, most cars are over that value with many in the 300-400 hp range for your typical daily drivers. My GMC truck makes 420 hp and the engine is capable of 700+. There are numerous cars available from the manufacturer today that are making 600-800 hp. Those will kill an inexperienced driver just as quickly as something with 1000 hp.

It was meant to be a little tongue and cheek. To be fair, any level of horsepower can kill you. Unlike your truck, or even a Tesla, the Corvette screams "take me out and flog me around!!". I do not know any Corvette owners who bought their car for the utility of it.

[Papa]

It was meant to be a little tongue and cheek. To be fair, any level of horsepower can kill you. Unlike your truck, or even a Tesla, the Corvette screams "take me out and flog me around!!". I do not know any Corvette owners who bought their car for the utility of it.

I didn't mean to come across as defensive ... just getting the conversation going. Years ago, Hertz was renting Z06 Corvettes and I rented one for the day on Oahu. The car was bright yellow and looked fast sitting still. I don't recall the hp of that car, but just puttering around the island at under 50 mph it was enjoyable to drive and very manageable. I did open it up one time and the car was like Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde! It was a little surprising to say the least, but with all the electronic nannies, it was very manageable in a straight lin.

[Skuzzy]

I did not take it as defensive at all.

I was talking to a friend of mine who has had almost every kind of Corvette imaginable and he, jokingly, said GM probably includes a 45 step system to enable the monster power with audio confirmation required (i.e. "You do know enabling this option could kill you? Or, at least, push your eyeballs to the back of your head?").

[Papa]

I did not take it as defensive at all.

I was talking to a friend of mine who has had almost every kind of Corvette imaginable and he, jokingly, said GM probably includes a 45 step system to enable the monster power with audio confirmation required (i.e. "You do know enabling this option could kill you? Or, at least, push your eyeballs to the back of your head?").

My BMW M550i had launch control and it was very much like you described. First, turn off Dynamic Traction Control, next put it in sport+ mode. Next, press the brake pedal hard and then put the accelerator to the floor until you hear a click (switch) that engages launch control. Finally, hold on and release the brake to do a 0-60 in about four seconds in a 5,000lb. four-door sedan. Also, the car had to have been driven a certain distance beforehand to ensure the temps were all up and I was told that you only get so many launches before the feature is permanently disabled for longevity I suppose.

[ProfessorB]

Price?

[gbranham]

Price?

Hasn't been released yet, but speculation is MSRP will be in the neighborhood of $160k to start.

[Papa]

Hasn't been released yet, but speculation is MSRP will be in the neighborhood of $160k to start.

And dealers will have people lined up that are willing to pay at least twice MSRP to get one and most won't even drive them.

[gbranham]

And dealers will have people lined up that are willing to pay at least twice MSRP to get one and most won't even drive them.

There are several dealers who have committed to selling at MSRP...Hendrick being the most prominent. Same with Ciocca on the East Coast. They honored that commitment on the Z06, too. GM threatened to pull allocations if dealers went too crazy with markups.