The 2009 Corvette ZR1, number 4 in our most lustable cars of 2008, failed to make the 5 figure cut. It enters the market with a starting price of $103k - yes $103,000 before any upgrades or gas guzzler tax.

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 will reach speeds up to 205mph and go from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds.

Hybrid Technologies is creating a super car that will make the Corvette Lovers in all of us drool. On top of that it will make Prius owners jealous because of it’s amazing efficiency. Limited information is available about this supercar. But it’s got me really excited.

Hybrid Technologies is working on a car coming in two flavors—all electric and hybrid. With the electric, they promise a 150 to 180-mile range per charge. With the lithium-ion hybrid, they promise a 220mpg minimum.

Those specs would be impressive in a golf cart.

But the most compelling part of it all is the alleged performance. Popular Mechanics asked Hybrid Technologies if their car could compete with the Corvette ZR-1 and its crazy V8 that induces mid-600s-scale horsepower. The company responded that they were “way out of the ballpark—it’s gonna be wild.”

For more information on Hybrid Cars check out our Hybrid Car Guide.

Source: Gizmodo

The Callaway Produced Chevrolet Corvette is a specialty manufactured turbocharged Corvette with a rich history. This custom ride is no exception. The supercharged 616 horses enable this car to run the quarter mile in the mid-elevens on its way to 200mph. Let’s just say this is a beast you don’t let out of the barn unless your going to the races.

My recent appointment as resident car buff Corvette Girl expert here at Ridelust got me thinking. Ok, it got me looking. So without further ado I bring you after hours of intense research.
10 pages of Sizzling Hawt Corvette Girls to distract you this weekend.
Corvette Girls Page One
Corvette Girls Page Two
Corvette Girls Page Three
Corvette Girls Page Four
Corvette Girls Page Five
Corvette Girls Page Six
Corvette Girls Page Seven
Corvette Girls Page Eight
Corvette Girls Page Nine
Corvette Girls Page Ten
Bonus Feature: Corvette Girl Videos

Here’s one of my favs:

Is it one thing to be Car Crazy and still another thing to just be Crazy? Is to be the first that significant?

When the news broke that pre-sales for the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 were reaching a premium of up to $20,000 over MSRP I was, not shocked so much, but outraged. Not at the dealership’s for “getting theirs” and not at Dodge for enjoying some much needed “love”, but at the general idea. How Crazy are we to need to be at the head of the line? How much are we really willing to spend?
Well, I believe I got my answer to that this weekend at the Barrett-Jackson Auction.

This year the right to be the first to own one of the three instant classic/collector cars was being auctioned off.

It seems impossible to fathom that I am the only perpetual car shopper who is always looking for that next fun auto. While there may be many who do not consider themselves perpetual car shoppers many may believe themselves to be car aficionados or appreciators of fine autos. For those of you who, like myself, have put off the purchase of that next fun ride, as well as for those of you who appreciate the promise of the next cool auto, I have compile MY list of the Most Lustable New Cars for 2008. If you have put off buying that new car for a while these are the cars that I feel will make all the waiting worth the while. Some of these cars are still coming from their concept stage and have yet to be road tested by people outside of the manufacturers engineers, so for some their ranking is based on the Promise of what the car will be.

Jay Leno is one of the premier car collectors of our time and with his switch in recent years toward Greener autos comes a new take on an existing Bow-Tie racer. Leno’s Corvette as seen above is a modified ZO6 that is dressed in carbon-fiber front and back and boasts a horse-heavy board aluminum 8.2 Liter engine that puts out 600 horses. What is special about the engine, besides how fast it spins the wheels, is the fuel that flows through the engine. The fuel that fed the vision Leno had for this Corvette and the fuel that ignites in each cylinder is E85.

The body design for Leno’s Corvette is based off of the C6R racer that runs in the Le Mans racing series. With wider front and rear fenders made of carbon-fiber and its straight black finish Leno’s E85 Corvette would be a highway thriller. However, more inspiring than the appearance of the car is the motivation behind the car, which is to prove that sports cars with high horses are not solely the realm of gasoline powered engines. You can take a homegrown fuel like E85 in this case and produce something that will still mash your head into the padding of your headrest.

For more on Jay Leno’s E85 C6RS Corvette read the official press release below.

Source[Chevrolet via Autoblog]

For release: Oct. 29, 2007, 12:01 a.m. EDT

GREEN AND MEAN: JAY LENO’S E85-CAPABLE Z06-INSPIRED C6RS CORVETTE BOASTS 600 HP AND ALTERNATIVE-FUEL CAPABILITY

LAS VEGAS: Tonight Show host Jay Leno’s predilection for performance cars is no secret, but many fellow enthusiasts may not know that he is keenly interested in alternative fuels. To prove that red-blooded power mixes easily with a touch of green, Leno partnered with Pratt & Miller the engineering company that builds and campaigns C6.R Corvettes to develop a modified Corvette Z06 that is capable of running on E85 ethanol. It was unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show.

More than merely a conversion of the stock LS7 engine to E85 capability, Leno’s alternative-fuel supercar is powered by a custom, 8.2L (500-cubic-inch) all-aluminum small-block V-8 that pumps out approximately 600 horsepower and 585 lb.-ft. of torque.

The C6RS is the result of an idea we hatched to prove that high-performance cars and alternative fuel technology weren’t diametrically opposed concepts, said Leno. I love the idea of having 600 horsepower at my disposal, but using a homegrown alternative to gasoline.

The engine is built around a custom aluminum cylinder block that was CNC-milled from a single block of billet aluminum. And while the cylinder heads, intake system and dry-sump oiling system are stock LS7 components, the engine which has larger bore and stroke dimensions than the 7.0L (427-cubic-inch) LS7 uses a one-off reciprocating assembly, including a forged steel crankshaft, forged rods and forged pistons. Katech Engines, the company that builds engines for the Corvette C6.R racing program, developed the engine.

The fuel system and engine control computer were modified to accommodate E85, and spent gases exit through a Corsa exhaust system. Supporting the 600-horse engine ís power is a blueprinted and strengthened T-56 six-speed transmission and a high-performance Centerforce dual-friction clutch.

C6.R inspiration

On the outside, Leno’s bad and black C6RS emulates the styling of C6.R racecars, with wider front and rear fenders and a wider rear fascia with an integrated spoiler on top and a racing-style diffuser at the bottom (the diffuser incorporates an LED-lit backup lamp). A C6.R-style waterfall hood front fender louvers, rockers and lower grille opening further define this special Corvette and all of the car’s front-end panels are made of carbon-fiber, including custom brake air ducts routed through the front fenders. With all of its body modifications, Leno’s C6RS is 1.6 inches wider than stock.

The C6.R and production Corvette’s aerodynamically styled bodywork is designed to slice efficiently through the wind, which helps enhance fuel mileage.

The race-ready look of the car is enhanced with a quartet of BBS wheels that feature racing-type locking center hubs. The forged aluminum 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels ride on Michelin P295/30ZR18 and P345/30ZR19 tires, respectively.

Adding authenticity to the carís custom bodywork was the involvement of Pratt & Miller. The company took on the task of crafting Leno’s Corvette into a street-going replica of the racecars, which included installing or fabricating a host of unique components, including:

* A custom DeWitt high-capacity radiator with dual cooling fans

* A carbon-fiber ram-air induction system

* Carbon-fiber inner fender panels that vent hot air from the engine compartment

* Brembo brakes with six-piston mono-block calipers in front and four-piston rear calipers

* Dyna-Mat used throughout the cabin and chassis to reduce interior noise

While the exterior and drivetrain were inspired by the racetrack, the C6RS’s cabin exudes luxury, with premium touches and enhancements from Genuine Corvette Accessories that include a two-tone shift knob and boot; leather-covered console armrest, parking brake handle and boot; an interior trim kit, racing-style pedal covers and more.

With its 600 horses on tap and domestically produced E85 fuel in the tank, Jay Leno’s alternative-fueled C6RS is an all-American supercar that proves high performance and environmental consciousness go together like the Corvette and checkered flags.

The phantom “Blue Devil” strikes again as Chevrolet keeps everyone guessing on their new Corvette. The new Corvette tearing up test laps before racing at Laguna Seca is rumored to be the next ZR-1, but you will find no confirmation of that rumor from GM. In the mean time though there is some video from the cars warm-up laps that all ZR-1 afficionado’s can purr over.

Source[CarScoop]

After rounds of speculation and misdirection Chevrolet finally comes out to say that the Corvette referred to as “Blue Devil” and thought to be the upcoming ZO7 is actually going to get badged as the ZR1. The ZR1 badging was first used in 1971 and then revived again in the 90’s. It is usually earmarked as the fastest of the Corvette breed during its limited production run. With a 6.2 liter supercharged V8 it is promised to have more horsepower than the current 505-hp ZO6.

The all new supercharged Corvette is listed as a 2009 model and will begin production in 2008. Sales for the ZR1 are projected to begin in late 2008. And if you think the ZO6 costs a pretty penny just wait until you get a load of this Corvette. Supercharging a production car does not come cheap.

It is also believed that the same 6.2 liter V8 that is in the ZR1 is what will find its way into the next Cadillac CTS-v. What a mighty tandem they will make for GM.

The ZR1 Corvette is going to have its coming-out party at this years Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Look for more information from Chevrolet during that time.

Source[MotorTrendBlog]

With the Woodward Dream Cruise just ahead of us this Saturday there are many car owners who are anticipating two common questions:

1. How much do you have invested in you car?
2. How much is it worth?

Both are very rude questions but that does not ebb peoples curiosity. It is not uncommon for a classic car holder to invest more in parts, accessories and improvements than they initially invested in the purchase of the car. Luckily there is a growing after-market out there to satisfy that growing desire.

From my own experience it takes a lot of work to keep a classic running; along with a solid network of supporters. My 1970 Mustang requires constant attention and probably averages a 5-month “running good” cycle a year. The rest of the year is spent figuring out why she is not “running good” and who I can recruit to assist with the latest problem. Adding fuel to my lust for parts or repairs are a number of accessory and replacement part suppliers who magically sent me catalogs shortly after I registered my car.