We love our Top Gear - a lot. We’ll do anything to watch the most recent episodes whether it means jumping on YouTube and sorting our search results by “Relevance” or doing the whole bit torrent thing.

One of our all time favorite segments was when Hammond raced a Bugatti Veyron against a fighter jet. Apparently, the folks over at Motor Trend were the first to pull the stung when they drag-raced a Corvette against a jet back in 1986.

Editor at Large Arthur St. Antoine is now back with the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR aka Blue Devil, which he will race against at F/A-18 Hornet jet aka Blue Angel.

You can check out the video after the jump and if you want to get through the whole GM plug about how amazing the ZR1 is – forward 8 minutes into the video.

- By: Omar Rana

Meet the 1 of 1 special edition Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition by General Motors. GM built and designed the car to honor the Kids Wish Network’s “Hero of the Month.”

The special edition Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition is the only unit produced with red accents, special graphics and carbon fiber trims. No powertrain upgrades were made to the supercharged 638-horsepower LS9 V8 engine. The Corvette Team Members Ray Krawczyk, Harlan Charles and Tadge Juechter have all signed their names under the hood. 

Last year’s Corvette Dream Giveaway generated enough money to fund the Hero Program for a year. This year, tickets for the Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition start at just $3 and there is no cap on how many tickets will be sold. There is also no limit on how many tickets an individual can purchase. The price per ticket will decrease as you purchase additional tickets while your odds of winning will increase.

Click here to purchase your tickets.

Follow the jump for more pictures.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: Corvette Blogger

It will obviously set you aside from the crowd and will definitely turn heads when you drive it down the street. However, the Bertone Mantide will cost you a whopping $2 million according to creator Jason Castriota. Who’s going to by a $2 million car that has the underpinnings of the Corvette ZR1 when they can just go for the $104,920 Corvette ZR1 itself?

“The project has an anonymous benefactor, but it is in fact for sale either as a singular example, or with the possibility of building an extremely limited series,” Castriota said in an e-mail message to the Wheels blog of New York Times.

He said that Bertone may build only three or five units of the Mantide, though it “would not rule out producing as many as 10.”

The Bertone Mantide is powered by an LS9 engine making a total of 638-hp, which allows for a 0 to 62 mph time of just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph.

Make the jump for the high-res image gallery.

Bertone Mantide:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Wheels

The first time we saw the Hyundai Equus in person was at the 2009 New York Auto Show – it was also the first time we saw Hyundai’s full-size sedan on U.S. soil – until now.

Hyundai Equus spotted in L.A. with U.S. plates: A 2010 Hyundai Equus was spotted roaming around in L.A. by a member of the Genesis Owner forum. The car made its U.S. debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show last month. Hyundai says that it is testing the North American market to see if the model will be appealing to U.S. customers. – CarScoop

Ferrari crashed on the set of Nicholas Cage’s new movie set: A stunt drive crashed a Ferrari F430 on the set of Cage’s new movie “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” Two were injured. – Straightline

First crashed 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ends up on eBay: Allegedly the first crashed ZR1 has hit the auction block on eBay with a starting bid of $75,000. -(via Jalopnik)

- By: Omar Rana

n2a Motors, makers of the Anteros, have released sketches, clay model photos and details of their latest project called the ‘Stinger.’ 

Inspired by the 2nd generation 1963, ’65 and ’67 Corvette Sting Rays, the Stinger is built on the 2009/2010 C6 Corvette Chassis. When using a new Corvette donor car with a 430-hp LS3 V8, the Stinger can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds while returning a fuel-economy figure of 16/26 mpg (city/highway).

Serial numbers 001, 002 and 003 have been reserved exclusively for the ZR1-based Stingers featuring a 638-hp LS9. Those Stingers can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. Numbers 004 through 010 are reserved for the Z06-based Stingers with 505-hp achieving a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds.

n2a Motors is taking orders now with production to begin Oct. 1st.

n2a Motors Stinger:

Press Release:

n2a Motors announced today that it is accepting deposits on the Stinger, the latest model in their line of critically-acclaimed coachbuilt automobiles. Slated for January 2010 delivery, the Stinger is inspired by the 2nd generation 1963, ’65, and ’67 Corvette Sting Rays and is built atop the 2009/2010 C6 Corvette chassis.

The ’63-67 Corvettes are among the most revered, iconic, and beautiful cars in automotive history. The Stinger pays homage to the historic 2nd generation Corvette with a sleek, carbon-composite body featuring the front end and hood scoop from the 1967 Corvette, a mid-section reminiscent of a ’65 Corvette, and the famous split-window rear end of the ’63 Corvette, and has a level of performance and safety that engineers of the era could never have dreamed possible. Utilizing a new Corvette donor car, the Stinger achieves 0-60 in 4.3 seconds with a 430 hp/424 lb.-ft. torque LS3 V8 engine rated at 16 MPG city and 26 MPG highway. Since the chassis and safety equipment remain unmodified, GM’s 100,000 mile powertrain warranty remains completely intact and the Stinger can be serviced at any GM dealership.

n2a Motors starts by removing the donor Corvette’s body panels and installing the new carbon-composite Stinger body, a process that takes over 800 hours for n2a’s coachbuilding craftsmen to complete. The interior is entirely new with re-contoured leather seats, leather dash, wool carpeting, and leather-wrapped interior panels. Wheels and cat-back exhaust are removed and replaced with n2a’s custom-made components. The n2a moniker stands for “no two alike,” referring to n2a Motors’ policy of building unique vehicles for each customer. No two vehicles will be built with identical color combinations, ensuring that each customer receives a unique car customized to his or her tastes.

n2a Motors has reserved serial numbers 001,002, and 003 for ZR1-based Stingers. Featuring the 638-hp LS9 engine, the ZR1 is the fastest and most powerful Corvette ever produced. Stingers built on the ZR1 platform rocket from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205+ mph. Serial numbers 004-010 are reserved for Z06-based Stingers, which are 505 hp with a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds. n2a Motors is accepting deposits to reserve a serial number and a place in the production order. Production is expected to commence October 1st.

The Stinger is n2a’s third model, following the successful 789 and Anteros models that debuted in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Both are built on the C6 Corvette platform and utilize carbon-composite bodies, a carry-over from n2a’s background in stealth technology prototyping for military contractors.

- By: Kap Shah

It has come to this. We came across this video on YouTube and thought you might like to check it out.

Video description: “With General Motors hanging on by its fingernails and oil prices as unstable as the whole world’s economy, maybe this will be the ‘stimulus’ to return GM to profitability! How about an all-electric ZR1 Corvette?!!“

The 2009 New York Auto Show is just around the corner and the 2009 World Car of the Year finalists have been announced. Picked from an initial list of 51 new vehicles from all over the world, the top three contenders for the 2009 World Car title include the Ford Fiesta, Toyota iQ and the new Volkswagen Golf VI.

Finalists for the 2009 World Performance Car include the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Nissan GT-R and the new Porsche 911 Carrera. The 2009 World Green Car finalists include the Honda FCX Clarity, Mitsubishi i MiEV and the Toyota iQ. Contenders for the 2009 World Car Design of the Year include the Citroen C5, Fiat 500 and the Jaguar XF.

To be eligible for the overall World Car award, a vehicle must be in production and sold in at least two continents during 2008.

Winners will be announced at the 2009 New York International Auto Show on April 9, 2009.

About two days ago we brought you a video of retired John Heinricy taking the 2009 Corvette ZR1 with a Hennessey ZR700 package around a track. At first we thought the former head of GM’s Performance Division was just having some fun while feeding his need for speed. Well, it seems like Heinricy and Hennessey are up to something more… much more.

Apparently Heinricy, who drove the Cadillac CTS-V around the Nurburgring in a lap time of 7:59.32, is working with Hennessey Performance to take the Corvette ZR1 back to Green Hell for another crack at a record breaking time. The production version of the Corvette ZR1 currently sites in fifth-place in the world of Nurburgring lap times with 7:26.4 under its belt.

Heinricy and Hennessey are now planning to head back to the Nurburgring with a modified Corvette ZR1 with a 705-hp ZR700 Hennessey package under the hood. The ZR700 allows the Corvette ZR1 to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 212 mph.

Check out these renderings of what the finished ZR700 Corvette ZR1 will look like when it heads to Germany.

Hennessey ZR700 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1:

Source: WOT

John Heinricy, who retired after working with GM for 38-years, recently got behind the wheel of the 2009 Corvette ZR1 with a Hennessey ZR700 package.

The former head of GM Performance Division and chief engineer of the new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and ZR1, tested his skills on the 705-hp ZR1 to see what Hennessey came up with.

The Hennessey ZR700 package allows the ZR1 go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 212 mph. A second package, known as the ZR750 makes a total of 755-hp and 730 lb-ft of torque. That allows the ZR1 to run from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph. Since this is part 1 of the video, we’re guessing Heinricy will test the ZR750 in part 2.

Make the jump for the video.

Earlier this morning we reported that the General Motors disbanded its High Performance Vehicle Operations unit. GM said that engineers from the department will now focus on more high-volume Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets and Pontiacs and that all high-performance projects are on an indefinite hold.

However, Camaro SS fans can rest assured that the 422-hp Camaro is still on its way. According to Inside Line who spoke with spokesman Vince Muniga, the Camaro SS “is not threatened at all.” Muniga said that the Camaro SS along with the Corvette ZR1 and Corvette Z06 are regularly engineered cars and don’t go through HPVO.

HPVO is responsible for products such as the V-series Cadillacs, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, HHR SS and a V8 version of the Colorado.

Muniga said that the Cadillac CTS-V is also a regularly engineered car and will continue through its life-cycle.

Chevrolet Camaro SS:

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1:

Cadillac CTS-V:

Source: Inside Line

As if the 638-hp 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 wasn’t powerful enough already, Hennessey Motorsports has decided to offer two performance package upgrades for the Chevy beast that takes it up to a total of 755-hp.

The first package, known as the ZR700, adds a supercharger pulley and blower snout upgrade, an intercooler system upgrade, a K&N air filter and a reprogrammed EMC (engine management computer). All that allows the 2009 ZR1 to produce 705-hp with a maximum torque of 717 lb-ft. 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 212 mph.

The second package, known as the ZR750, adds everything from the ZR700 package and more for a total of 755-hp with a peak torque of 730 lb-ft. 0 to 60 is cut down to just 2.9 seconds with a top speed at a whopping 217 mph.

For pricing and other details call Hennessey Motorsports at 877.885.7077.

Follow the jump to see a video of the Hennessey ZR700 in action.

2009 Corvette ZR1 – Hennessey ZR700: 11.03 @ 136 mph:

ZR700 – 705 HP Engine Upgrade:

- Power: 705 HP @ 6,400 rpm
- 717 lb-ft Torque @ 3,800 rpm

Performance:
- 0-60 mph: 3.1 sec.
- 0-150 mph: 13.9 sec. (stock = 17.1 sec.)
- 1/4 mile: 11.0 @ 136 mph (tested on factory Michelin tires)
- Top Speed: 212 mph (estimated)

Inlcudes:
- Supercharger Pulley & Blower Snout Upgrade (increases boost from 11 to 14 psi)
- Intercooler System Upgrade
- K&N Air Filter
- Re-program Engine Management Computer
- Stainless Steel 1 7/8 inch Headers
- High Flow Catalytic Converters with Mid Pipes
- Hennessey & ZR700 Exterior Emblems (Optional)
- Hennessey ZR700 Premium Floor Mats
- Professional Installation at HPE
- Dyno Testing & Tuning

ZR750 – 755HP Engine Upgrade:

- Power: 755 HP @ 6,600 rpm
- 730 lb-ft Torque @ 4,000 rpm

Performance:
- 0-60 mph: 2.9 sec.
- 0-150 mph: 13.1 sec. (stock = 17.1 sec.)
- 1/4 mile: 10.7 @ 139 mph
- Top Speed: 217 mph (estimated)

Inlcudes:
- Supercharger Pulley (increases boost from 11 to 15 psi)
- Blower Gasket
- K&N Air Filter
- Re-program Engine Management Computer
- 6600 rpm Rev Limiter (200 rpm over stock)
- Stainless Steel Headers
- High Flow Catalytic Converters with Mid Pipes
- High Flow Cylinder Heads
- Camshaft Upgrade
- Intercooler System Upgrade
- Hennessey & ZR750 Exterior Emblems (Optional)
- Hennessey ZR750 Premium Floor Mats
- Available as a Mail Order Kit as well as Installed at HPE

While Motor Trend picks the Nissan GT-R as its car of the year and Top Gear picks the Volkswagen Scirocco – Jeremy Clarkson, who is well known for his hatred of American automobiles, has named his car of the year as the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

“Oh, it”s not built very well,” said Clarkson. “After just three days in my care, the boot lock disintegrated and the keyless go system refused to acknowledge the keys were in the car, but I didn”t mind because there is simply no other car that looks this good, goes this fast ““ in a straight line and around corners ““ and that most of the time bumbles about like a forgetful uncle.”

Clarkson even shows some emotion about GM’s financial troubles saying: “It is an epic car and I”m only sad that unless the healthcare and pensions company that makes it can be turned around, it will be the last of the breed.”

2009 Chevrolet Corvettte ZR1 in Action:

Source: TimesOnline

While many of you may be disappointed by the Detroit Big 3 right now, let’s set our anger and other feelings aside and let Jay Leno remind us of some of the amazing cars that Detroit has produced for us. The Chevrolet Corvette has not only become an American icon but has taken on its rivals on their own home turf with the Corvette ZR1 bringing in a Nurburgring lap time of 7:22.4 (even winning praise from Jeremy Clarkson).

Refresher: 6.2L V8 engine produces 638-hp and 604 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes in at 3.4 seconds with a top speed.

Follow the jump for the video.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1:

While Motor Trend was hanging out at Chrysler’s Arizona Proving Grounds in over half a million dollars worth of the world’s hottest cars, they decided it was the perfect opportunity to take each vehicle to its top speed. Check out these videos of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Porsche 911 GT2, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the Nissan GT-R as 24 Hours of Daytona winner Didier Theys takes them around a five-mile oval.

Refresher:

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: LS9 supercharged 6.2L V8 engine producing 638-hp and 604 lb-ft of torque.
2009 Nissan GT-R: 3.8 L twin-turbocharged DOHC V6 engine that produces 473 horsepower and a peak torque of 430 lb-ft.
2008 Porsche 911 GT2: 3.6 liter 6-cylinder producing 530-hp with a maximum torque of 505 lb-ft.
2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano: V12 producing 620-hp with and 448 lb-ft of torque.

Follow the jump for the videos.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1:

2009 Nissan GT-R:

2008 Porsche 911 GT-2:

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano:

Source: MotorTrend

While Porsche and Nissan continue to argue over the Nissan GT-R Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:29, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 knocked another 4 seconds off it’s already blazing fast time of 7:26.4.

Driver Jan Magnussen, a race car driver from Denmark and a GM factory driver, took the Corvette ZR1 around the Nordschleife in 7:22.4. That makes the Corvette ZR1 faster than the Ferrari Enzo, Pagani Zonda F Clubsport and Maserati MC12. However it’s still slower than the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR which did it in 7:22.1.

For those of you still confused with all these Nurburgring lap times, we’ve put together a little list after the jump.

Nurburgring Lap Times (in no particular order):

Nissan GT:R - 7:29
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 – 7:22.4
Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR - 7:22.1
Cadillac CTS-V - 7:59
Ferrari Enzo - 7:25.21
Porsche Carrera GT – 7:28.71
Maserati MC12 – 7:24.29
Pagani Zonda F – 7:24.65

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1:

Source: MotorGear  (via AutoBlog)

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1‘s LS9 6.2 liter supercharged V8 allows the supercar to be the most power and fastest production car ever produced by GM. Now the 638 horsepower engine will be available as a complete crate engine package from GM Performance Parts in the third quarter of 2009.

The LS9 crate engine will come with an ignition system, supercharger assembly, exhaust manifold and more. It will also include a dry-sump oil pan and provisions for the cooler’s liquid system. Anyone interested in purchase the engine will need an external oil tank, external coolant tank and an ECU/wire harness.

Pricing has yet to be announced.

Follow the jump for the press release.

Press Release:

GM PERFORMANCE PARTS SET TO UNLEASH THE SUPERCHARGED LS9 CRATE ENGINE

LAS VEGAS – The LS9 6.2L supercharged V-8 is the power behind the most powerful and fastest production car in GM’s history – the 2009 Corvette ZR1. In the third quarter of 2009, it will be available as a complete crate engine package from GM Performance Parts. It delivers a stunning 638 horsepower (476 kW) and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm).

The LS9 crate engine will be the ideal all-in package for enthusiasts and racers who want the ultimate LS power plant for their project cars, from resto-modified vintage Corvettes, muscle cars and street rods to late model F-bodies and “shoebox” Chevys. The supercharger and charge cooler are integrated in the engine’s valley for a lower profile, allowing creative builders to fit the engine in a variety of applications with plenty of hood clearance.

The engine’s 6.2L displacement is shared with the LS3, but the LS9 is built for high-revving power with a supercharger. It uses stronger cylinder head castings and steel cylinder liners that are honed with a deck plate installed to maximize performance and cylinder sealing.

High-rpm-validated lightweight reciprocating parts, including titanium intake valves, are used, along with high-flow cylinder heads that draw the charge forced on them by a sixth-generation supercharger. A new, four-lobe rotor design delivers greater power at the low end and sustains it longer through the rpm band for broad, on-demand power, whether off-idle or at speed. A dual-brick charge cooler is integrated on a unique manifold system that mounts the “blower” in the engine’s valley, with charge cooler on top.

GMPP’s LS9 crate engine assembly comes fully dressed, including the ignition system, supercharger assembly, exhaust manifolds and more. It also includes the production dry-sump oil pan and provisions for the charge cooler’s liquid cooling system. Builders will need an external oil tank, external coolant tank (for the charge cooler) and an ECU/wire harness.

Motor Trend recently hit up the hot Arizona desert to test the most powerful GM car ever built – the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

Testing the 638-hp 6.2L V8 at Chrysler’s Proving Grounds, Motor Trend hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds (CARandDRIVER recently reported 3.4 seconds). Comparing that to its rival, the Dodge Viper SRT-10 does 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The guys also reported a quarter-mile run in 11.2 seconds at 130.5 mph – currently the Viper is doing 124.4 mph).

Check out Motor Trend’s complete review of the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 here.

Follow the jump for the video and our high-res image gallery.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1:

A post on DigitalCorvettes yesterday started a rumor that production for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1has ended. The rumor came after GM’s Bowling Green plant shut down this week. Production is expected to resume next week.

According to Terry Rhadigan (contacted by AutoBlog), Chevrolet’s manager for global communications, the rumor is totally “not true.”

GM still has orders for the ZR1 to fill and production will resume as planned next week.

Click through for high-res images of the 2009 Corvette ZR1.

2009 Chevrolet Corvettte ZR1 in Action:

Source: DigitalCorvettes