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The 1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (C4) is a sports car built between 1990 and 1995 by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. It was the first fully redesigned Corvette since the release of the previous C3.

A ZR-1 model was released in 1990 with development from Lotus in the form of a new V8 engine, unique air management system, brakes, and steering system. It displayed stunning acceleration and handling compared to previous Corvettes and C4 models, but was priced at double the cost of the base C4 Corvette.

The LT5 V8 from Lotus developed 375 bhp allowing the ZR-1 to go from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of over 180 mph. The Corvette C4 was altered in 1991 with new body panels, a new interior, and new wheels.

Additional changes were made in 1992 with the addition of a traction control system, as well as in 1993 with improvements to the LT5 engine, including altered cylinder heads, exhaust, and valvetrain by Lotus. This increased the engine's power output to 405bhp.

The engine developed was dubbed the LT5 and could not be produced by either the Corvette production plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, or any regular production facility. General Motors contracted the Mercury Marine corporation in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to assemble the engines, and ship them to the Corvette production plant.

The ZR-1 went on sale in a coupe form with a wider tail section, 11" wide rear wheels, a new convex rear fascia with four square shaped taillights, and a CHMSL attached to the top of the rear window.

The ZR-1 was discontinued in 1995 with 6,939 units manufactured.

Games[]

The Need for Speed[]

The Corvette ZR-1 appears in The Need for Speed.

In all releases, following the 3DO original release, it is grouped in Class B alongside the Dodge Viper RT/10 and Porsche 911 Carrera. It has the highest top speed in its class.

It can only be selected with a dark green body colour although, in the PlayStation and Sega Saturn releases, it can appear in dark red when driven by A.I. and split-screen opponents.

Description

The ZR-1 is America's sports car bought to new levels with a Lotus-designed four-cam 32-valve V8 generating 405 brake horsepower. The low stance and wide tires give it a reassuring stability in most situations. Understeer in low speed corners is minimal, and power on oversteer is possible, and arise with great predictability and control.

— In-game Showcase (3DO)

Long heralded as America's sports car, the ZR-1 is the most powerful production Corvette ever made, forgoing the standard push rod V8 for one with four cams, 32 valves, and 405 horsepower. The ZR-1’s LT5 engine is a multinational effort, with engineering assistance supplied by England's Lotus, and assembly carried out by Mercury Marine in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Final assembly of the entire car is performed where Corvettes have long been built, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Carrying 200 pounds more than a standard Corvette and wearing wider tires, the ZR-1 is a little less nimble but more than makes up for this in sheer power and speed. The ZR-1 attained an honest 178 miles per hour in our latest Road & Track top speed test, which places it a solid third in this group of sports cars. Drag strip launches are uneventful and easily repeatable, making a child's play to get 0 to 60 clockings in the five-second range all day long, and the big V8’s power band is so broad, and you seldom have to worry about being in the wrong gear.

The Corvette's structure is unusual, with fiberglass panels that are bonded to a skeletal steel frame. This structure exhibits some flex which takes away from the feel of precision, but tires, brakes, and suspension geometry are also good that this is more of a subjective demerit than anything else. The ZR-1’s six-speed transmission has an extremely tall top gear for relaxed cruising, and cockpit adjustable suspension damping makes those longer journeys more comfortable.

— In-game Showcase (DOS, PlayStation, Saturn, and Special Edition)

Gallery[]

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