GM's upcoming Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was at Laguna Seca Raceway today for a couple hot laps between American Le Mans Series practice sessions and we're told it's already been put back on the trailer to head back to Detroit. Luckily, we were trackside to get this exclusive shot (bottom two shots courtesy of the American Le Mans Series). While this prototype still wears some of its masking, it's the clearest shot we have yet of what the production Corvette ZR1 will look like.


What do we know so far about the Corvette ZR1? We know it will be producing some 650 horses from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine and massive carbon ceramic brakes may very well be used to keep that power under control. Carbon fiber is reportedly being used heavily in the body of the car to reduce weight, with A and B pillars as well as the blacked-out roof being made out of the lightweight yet massively strong material.


Best guesses are that the Corvette ZR1 will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in under 3.5 seconds and will hit a top speed of over 200 mph. Heady stuff. The official ZR1 debut will come in January 2008 at the Detroit Auto Show with a production launch later in the year as a 2009 model at a price that will likely be upwards of $100,000.