Update: Hertz Corvette Driver Says he wasn’t at Fault

A couple of weeks ago we posted an article on a rental Hertz Corvette ZHZ that slammed into the sidewalls of a restaurant in Dallas -see here. Based on what Fox News had reported then, we said that the driver lost control of the vehicle. Today however, the driver of the Vette, Joey, left us a comment in our post explaining that he didn’t simply “loose control of the vehicle” but was rammed from behind by a Ford F-150 that ran a stop sign. Well, it’s only fair that we let Joey explain the accident himself:

"According to the media, I “lost control of my vehicle” trying to avoid a wreck. In reality, a Ford F150 ran a stop sign trying to shoot across Lemmon and caught the tail end of my vehicle. I noticed we were going to collide just prior to impact and accelerated trying to get the hell out of the way. Clearly, that was unsuccessful. The truck came barrelling into my backend, knocking me into a crazy (thinking: “this is gonna hurt like hell”) spin — across oncoming traffic — and somehow landing backwards under the patio at La Madeleine on Lemmon Avenue."

Link: Resistednormalcy

Transformers Corvette Centennial Design Concept Scooped

The mysterious Corvette concept that has been circulating around the movie sets of the Transformers film “Revenge of the Fallen” that’s expected to hit cinema screens in early 2009, has been scooped once again, this time by a reader from Jalopnik. According to Jalopnik’s inside sources, while the futuristic sports coupe is indeed a Corvette concept, it has nothing to do with the next-generation C7 Corvette. Instead, it was created to celebrate General Motors' 100-year celebration – hence the Corvette Centennial Design Concept name. -One more pic after the jump

Via: Jalopnik

Hertz Corvette ZHZ Driver Mistakes Diner for Drive-In

Just a little over a month after Hertz added the limited edition Corvette ZHZ to its Fun Collection line-up and we have the first casualty as a rental driver lost control of the 436 HP Vette at Lemmon Avenue in Dallas slamming it onto the sidewall of the La Madeleine restaurant. Now that had to hurt(z)...

As with the Mustang GT-H, the Corvette ZHZ is a limited edition model with only 500 units produced for Hertz. Finished in the rental company's yellow with a center black stripe, the ZHZ gets the optional dual-mode exhaust system the gives an extra 6HP to the standard 6.2-liter V8. Other mods include chromed 18-inch front and 19-inch rear seven-spoke alloys, ZHZ embroidery and Hertz fender emblems. -More pics after the jump

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Fox Dallas

Buyer Picks Up First Production Corvette ZR1 after Paying $1Million

We can think of more than a million ways to spend $1 million other than buying the very first production 2009 Corvette ZR1, but at least Dave Ressler’s cash went to a good cause as the money was donated to The United Way. We remind you that Dave Ressler bought the 001 Corvette ZR1 at the 008 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January 2008. Production of the new Corvette ZR1 that began in early July 2008 is limited to 2,000 vehicles per year, each identified with a special VIN that denotes its sequential build number. -Video after the jump

Transformers 2 Movie: New Photos of the Mystery Corvette Concept

Thanks to an anonymous tipster, our Jalopnik pals have obtained a new pair of shots of the mystery Corvette Concept that will star in next year’s Transformers film sequel, dubbed “Revenge of the Fallen”. The new photos confirm that this prototype is indeed a GM vehicle as the rear-end picture reveals the “GM Design” logo on the license plate. While we’d like to believe that this is a concept car previewing the forthcoming C7 Corvette, we’ll have to wait to see what the deal with GM’s silver prototype is. -One more picture after the jump

Via: Jalopnik

Transformers 2 Movie to Feature Corvette Concept?

This silver coupe that looks like some sort of a Corvette Concept was spotted by a member of the Seiberton forums at a movie set for the forthcoming Transformers 2 Film, “Rise of the Fallen”. While we can’t be entirely sure that it’s a Corvette Concept, it definitely features many characteristic Vette styling cues like the coke-bottle shape body, the sharp fenders and the split rear-window. Plus it’s no secret that GM is pretty active in the Transformer movie. Apart form the Vette, the photo set also includes modified versions of the Chevy Beat and Trax concepts that premiered at last year’s NY Auto Show. –More pics after the jump




Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Seiberton

Video: Corvette ZR1 Lapping the ‘Ring in 7:26.4

We know you’ve all been anxiously waiting to see the video of the new 620Hp Corvette ZR1 lapping the Nurburgring race track in a stunning 7 minutes and 26.4 seconds, so without any further ado, just follow the jump and check it out! -Continued

Corvette S-Limited: For Japan Only

GM’s Asia-Pacific arm has introduced a special edition version of the Corvette named S-Limited that will only be available in Japan. Production is limited to 30 units, 15 in black and 15 in white colour with prices set at ¥7,980,000 or about $74,700. As you’ve probably already suspected, the S-Limited’s differences to the standard Vette are… limited to the two-tone leather interior, the mesh inserts and the rear lip spoiler. -Gallery after the jump







Via: Autoblog.it

Why the Corvette Z1’s Nurburgring Time Shouldn't be Compared with the Nissan GT-R

We’ll give GM plenty of kudos for creating a sports car that officially lapped the famous Nurburgring in a mere 7 minutes and 26.4 seconds as it puts plenty of supercars costing double its price to shame, but ultimately, its somewhat unfair to compare the Corvette ZR1 with the Nissan GT-R. True, in our article on the ZR1’s Nurburgring time we mentioned that GM’s sports car beat the Nissan GT-R (7 minutes and 29.03 seconds), but we only did it to give you a comparable example of how good the Corvette is.

However, we must put things into perspective. The 640Hp Corvette ZR1 is priced from $103,300, the 480Hp Nissan GT-R from $69,850. That’s a huge price difference -$33,450 or nearly 50% more. Practically, the GT-R should be compared with the 505Hp Corvette Z06 that starts from $72,125. Although this is not an official time, various sites (including Motortrend) have stated that the Z06 lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 42 seconds or 13 seconds more than the GT-R. -Continued

But to be totally honest, a sportscar’s Nurburgring time would be the last thing that would matter if we were in the market to buy one. Well before that we’d take into consideration a variety of factors including the emotional impact that the car has on us, the way it communicates with us on the road -maybe even on the track, and of course, the price tag. (Pic: Carscoop)

Corvette ZR1 Laps the Ring in 7:26.4, Beats the 2009 Nissan GT-R

GM’s 640Hp and $103,000 Corvette ZR1 has posted one of the fastest times ever recorded on the Nurburgring race track for a totally stock production car: 7 minutes and 26.4 seconds. And yes, the ZR1 has shaved almost three seconds off the 2009 Nissan GT-R’s official time of 7:29.03.

According to Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge J. Juechter, the ZR1 tested was bone stock with the exception of the communications and safety equipment. The tires were production Michelin Pilot Sport 2 which have been developed specifically for the ZR1 while chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs. -Continued

Likewise, Juechter said that the engine calibrations were absolutely stock, emissions compliant and the car ran on pump (not racing) fuel. In other words, it was the same vehicle as the ones that will roll off the production line in Bowling Green, Kentucky and sold around later this summer.

2009 Corvette ZR1 Pricing Announced: 640Hp for $103,000

GM’s 205 mph (330 km/h) Corvette ZR1 will arrive at Chevy’s dealerships carrying a price tag of $103,300 including $850 destination charge. Just to refresh your memory, the ZR1 is equipped with a 640Hp supercharged V8 engine making it the fastest Corvette ever produced. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96km/h) in 3.4 sec while it covers the quarter-mile in 11.3 sec at 131 mph.

It sounds totally out of place, but GM’s official press release states that according to “fueleconomy.gov”, the ZR1's EPA-rated 14 city and 20 highway mileage ratings beat 2008 competitors such as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (11 city / 15 highway); the Lamborghini Murcielago (8 city / 13 highway) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (12 city / 19 highway). They're competitive with the Dodge Viper (13 city / 22 highway) and the Porsche 911 GT3 (15 city / 22 highway). But honestly now; who cares about EPA ratings when it comes to buying a supercar? -Continued

Corvette ZR1 Optional Equipment

The standard ZR1 comes with accessories based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The available uplevel interior package that costs $10,000 adds power-adjustable, heated and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); side air bags; Bose premium audio system; navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; power telescoping steering column; custom leather-wrapped interior available in four colors and more. Chrome wheels are the only other available option on the ZR1. Detailed pricing noted below.

• $103,300 Base MSRP including destination
• $1,700 Gas guzzler tax
• $10,000 Option package
• $2,000 Chrome wheels

Video: Awesome 1970’s Matte Black Corvette in Spain

A couple of days ago we showed you images of a custom made C3 Corvette painted in a menacing matte finish. Thanks to our vigilant audience, not only did we find out that the Corvette is from Spain, but one of our readers that goes by the nickname “Panic” was kind enough to forwarded us a video of the Vette on the road. Follow the jump to check it out and don’t forget to pump up the volume of your speakers…. -Continued

Thanks for the link Panic!

One Really Bad C3 Corvette

We’re not really comfortable with modifying classics like the C3 Corvette (1969-1982), but in this case, we’re forced to make an exception. Painted in a sinister matte black finish, this awesome custom-made Corvette is bad to the bone, full of sensual curves and pure muscle. There’s no note of the whereabouts of this Mako Shark Vette, but in one picture we see a Peugeot 205 in the background so we’re guessing its somewhere in Europe. If any of you can identify the origin of the license plates, leave us a comment below. -More pics after the jump

Via: Cardomain , Source: VWVortex

Corvette Pickup Truck Conversion

Last time we checked, there was no mullet hanging around the back of our heads so as expected, we kinda disagree with the pickup truck conversion of this Vette that was created by merging a 1984 Corvette front-end with the rear-end of 1991 model. And if you think that the $35k that ClassyAuto (how ironic…) is asking sounds a lot wait till you here what the original owner spent to create this Vettamino: $115,000 -what a brain-freezer! -More pics after the jump

Via: Jalopnik , Source: ClassyAuto

Speed Racer “Mach 5” Corvette Maker Turns C5s into C2 Stingray Replicas

Chattanooga Rod Design (CRD for short) is the company responsible for producing a drivable replica of the Mach 5 Corvette featured in the movie “Speed Racer” that premieres on May 9, 2008. Not that a Corvette Stingray lookalike is our thing, but with all the hype surrounding the Speed Racer movie we decided to check out CRD’s Classic 1 model which formed the basis for the Mach 5 replica.

The Classic 1 is in essence a turnkey conversion of a Corvette C5 Coupe or Cabriolet (produced from 1997 through 2004). The company begins with a C5 donor car and without touching the mechanicals, it disassembles the exterior of the Corvette and then grafts its own hand fabricated design that mimics the looks of the mid-sixties C2 Vette. According to CRD, the complete turnkey conversion costs $65,000. –Pictures and video after the jump