Kings For Another Era

Little brother to the ZR1, the 2009 Z06 Corvette has 550 HP

2009 CTS-V

CTS-V and ZR1

arguably represent the finest passenger car and Corvette built by GM.  These monster performance vehicles are at the zenith of advertized horsepower with 556 and 638 as explained on their respective pages at the GM web site.

Both vehicles have accolades from the world wide automotive press.  This is absolutely impressive, because now the press really does provide positive commentary about GM vehicles.  The CTS-V can feel right at home in the company of BMW M products and Mercedes AMG while the ZR1 Corvette can out perform almost every car ever produced.

Dinosaurs once romed the earth and in today’s environmentally conscious society and GM’s negotiation with Washington for capital CTS-V and ZR1 vehicles will end the run for ultra high power internal combustion engine GM vehicles.  This is a terrible consequence for performance car fans, who would love to have one of these vehicles and GM, who needs positive press for providing a fantastic car at a reasonable price for cars in that perforance category.  Admittedly, prices that start at $60K and $106K are not cheap but then that is the price required to get into this exclusive performance group.

In looking at the window sticker on the CTS-V some things get your attention including gas guzzler tax of $2600 and fuel economy numbers of 18 highway and 12 city.   The Federal fuel economy site indicates 20 highway and 14 city for the ZR1.

Fuel economy for the two vehicles is very good, considering horsepower and performance.  Taking a second look at the Federal fuel economy site for a  vintage 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 with V8 shows 15 and 20 mpg.  New cars do get better mileage.

Big engines with big horsepower are doomed.  They simply will not survive in today’s world and green product  review.  This is terrible for these two absolutely world class vehicles.  Washington is not going to say that the politicians like these two ultra high power vehicles .

If you are inclined to add one of these unique vehicles to your collection you will comfortably know that you have the Pinnace of GM Performance in the sedan and sport car category.