WHIIBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, <lUNE 27.1990. PAQR 27 Corvette Z1 Instant collector's car With- performance credentials rivalling the Ferrari Testaroesa and the Lamborghini Diablo, the Corvette ZR-1 has quickly earned a reputation as a world-class performance car. The ZR-1 is now the fastest production car built in North America with a tep speed Of just under 275 km/h <170 mph), a 0 te 100 km/h time of under five seconds, and a quarter mile time of 13.5 seconds. It bas also become an instant colector's car. Fewer than 150 ZR-ls have been imported into Canada this year. The suggested retail price of a ZR-1 is around $75,000 but strong demand has pushed the asking price up over $100,000. Iroically, many ZR-ls wiil be stered in warehouses by collecters wishing te keep these appreciating investments free of wear and tear. What a shame! The ZR-1 Corvette can be differentiated fr-om the standard L98 Corvette by its wider rear tires, square tailainps, convex rear bumper and a discrete ZR-1 badme on the tail. Ifiheart and soul of the ZR-1 is its unique LT-5 aluminum alloy 5.7 litre V8 engine developed lointly by Lotus and General Mdoters and built, strangely enough, by Mercuiy Marine. With four overhead cams and four valves per cyinder, the LT-S develops 380 h.p. at 6,200 rm and 370 lb.-ft. of torque at 4î,500O rpm. The truly unique thing about the LT-S eng*ne is its incredible versatility. lhe ZR-1 is easy te drive around tewn and yet it is By Greg Wlson capale 'fracng car performnance on demand." The ZR-las dual 1enality 15 attributable to t eengne's special two-phase inuction sse.The manifold has a three-valve throttle body injection system with a sma2 l pmar intake port and inector that operate at low speeds and two lare secondary intake ports and fuel injectors that operate at about 3,500 rpm. The resuit is an engine that delivers brutal but manageable power ai the way up to its 7 000 rpm redline. Dniving thro;Ugi a THE FASTEST production car built in NIorth America, the Corvette Ml- is powered by a unique aluiu alloy 32-valve 40HC 5.7-liter V8 enoine with six-speed German-built ZF gearbox, the LT-S enrie emits a lorious, roaring e aus note accompanied by noisy canishaft roler Chains, ad a curious supercharger-ike whine. To prevent the local parking lot attendant from unauthorized use of this considerable power, the ZR-1 features a 'valet-key' system that "shuts off one haif of the two-phase induction system, thereby cutting power in haif. Lilce all Corvettes, the ZR-1's ride is rather harsh, despite the cockpit adjustable shock absorber settings. Handling is phenomenally good on dry pavement helped in part by, huge Goodyear Eagle 315/3&ZR-17 performance radiaIs in the rear and 275/40ZR-17 tires in the 380 horsepower. The Ml 1 as a top speed of 270 km/h (170 mph) and je priced in excess of $75,000. front. In wet weather however, the ZR-1 can be a lhandfixl. The wide tires aquaplane through puddles and even the least ainount of acceleration, will cause the rear tires te spimn. I would recommend anyone who baiys this car take a high-perforinance driving course if they want te keep their investment in one piece. .Though the ZR-1 is an impressive performer it is not an easy car to drive. T!e clutch is fairly _eay, the ABS-equipped vented dise brakes require considerable pedal effort and the power-assisted rack and pinion steering is direct, but fairlyý stiff. low seating position.'Pdba But this is an exotic car, and theré is a price te, be paid fer this type of uncomproxising performance. The ZR-1 wiil undoùbtedly become a classic, and continue the Corvette's legacy as America's premier sports car. Tehd oiData 1990 Cbrdeg Coesta mi- 1rioe i- tente« 'A-" Englue Huupowoe Coeb weigu Whod.a Height Carigocaj.dity Wull"it $75,000 2 dr, 2 pa, Bberglamsbody pbortm car Longitudinal front megnefrear wheel drive 32 valve, 40HC, 6727 cc VS w/electronjc port fuel injection Rear 316M UR.7, front 1601 kg/353 bm. 4506 mini77.4 in. 2443 mm/56.2 In. 1880 mmi'74.0 ln. 1ise mm/46.7 in. 32 1111.6 cu. &i Basic 3 yrm.MO,000 km. Corrosion 6 yroJ60,0O km. KIYOSHI KHawashima, past president and «usupreme advisor" to the Honda Motor Co. in Japan, prepares to take ride through the new Honda Bide Centre. near Claremont in north FEGT&ELRPE.ICUE Pickering. The centre was designed to promote the safe use of small trail bikes and ail-terrain vehicles in a controiled enviroument The facility, at Concession 9 and Sideroad 26 (2 kim west of Claremont), is open to the public fromt Wednesday to Sunday. < N ,~1 ~4<' J ~\ à J.~ 'A.. là WEMW FIREE PRESS, VEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1M. pAGIC 27