Car Pictures: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1 � an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design.

Supercharged LS9 Engine

The new LS9 6.2L small-block engine is the power plant the supports the ZR1�s performance capability. The enabler of the LS9�s performance and refinement is a large, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design. It is augmented with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance. A sixth-generation supercharger developed by Eaton helps the LS9 make big power and torque at lower rpm and carries it in a wide arc to 6,600 rpm, as it pushes enough air to help the engine maintain power through the upper levels of the rpm band � the area where supercharged performance tends to diminish. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components enable the engine�s confident high-rpm performance. The LS9 engine is backed by a new, stronger six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc clutch that provide exceptional clamping power, while maintaining an easy clutch effort. ZR1-specific gearing in the transmission provides a steep first-gear ratio that helps launch the car, and top speed is achieved in sixth gear � a change from the fifth-gear top-speed run-outs in the manual-transmission Corvette and Corvette Z06.