While Corvette ZR1’s chief engineer didn’t have any official fuel-economy numbers, speaking at a live chat at GMNext.com, Tadge Juechter said that “the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-hp car you can buy in the world.” He said that the the fuel economy of the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ”will be somewhat less than a Z06, and we expect a small gas-guzzler tax.”

Chevrolet has yet to run official fuel-economy testing on the Corvette ZR1, but if Juechter is to be believed the fuel-economy for the ZR1 will somewhere in the ballpark of 15/24mpg (city/highway), which is what the Z06 returns according to the EPA.

Juechter also said the engineers have not yet considered an all-wheel-drive model for the ZR1. “All-wheel drive would have added too much mass,” he said. “I believe we are the lightest 600-hp car you can buy. We focus on power-to-weight ratio and maximizing traction in a real-wheel-drive configuration.”

Chevrolet recently announced the official specs of the ZR1 with 638-hp and 604 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet will produce around 2,000 units a year with pricing to be below $100,000. Official pricing will be announced later this month. Speaking on the issue of dealer price gouging, Juechter said that “We’re strongly encouraging dealers to charge MSRP.”

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1:

                        

Source: InsideLine

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