Corvette at the London motor show 2008

Corvette ZR1: a large slice of Americana supercar-style on the GM stand at the London motor show 2008

By Guy Bird and CAR reader reporter asp

Motor Shows

24 July 2008 09:57

Surrounded by a sea of silver Cadillacs, the trio of colourful Corvettes offered a beacon of sports car relief on GM's rambling stand that stretched from brash Hummers in one corner to a procession of Insignias in every colour imaginable on the other side.

What’s new on Corvette’s London motor show stand?

The bright red ZR1 – the fastest ever Corvette – made its UK debut in a brilliant red paint job flanked by the Z06 and C6 on either side, both in yellow. The ZR1’s whopping 638bhp supercharged 6.2-litre V8 offers 0-62mph in a gut-wrenching 3.4 seconds, a 205mph top speed and goes on sale in October 2008. Allocation for these shores will be 'very limited' – in the tens rather than hundreds – and each two-seater should cost about £100,000 with a new very high spec ‘one trim only’ policy, including head-up display, sat-nav, leather and a top-end Bose stereo.

CAR’s Corvette highlight

The ZR1’s massive blue Brembo brakes on the 20-inch wheels. At 380mm in diameter, the vented and cross-drilled carbon-ceramic rotors are among the largest of any production vehicle. The glimpse of the supercharged engine peaking out from the clear polycarbonate bonnet cover piece is a nicely lairy touch too.

What were they thinking?

Don’t mention the emissions or economy; Corvette hasn’t yet. But we get the feeling it won’t qualify for any tax breaks.

In a nutshell

An excellent-value supercar – if politically out of step with its times.

Click here to go to CAR's London motor show A-Z homepage

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By Guy Bird and CAR reader reporter asp