Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette is available as a two-seat coupe or convertible. Trim levels include the standard Corvette, Z06 and ZR1. The standard Corvette coupe is actually more of a targa, as it comes with a removable body-color roof panel. Like Corvette roadsters before it, the convertible features a hide-away top.
Standard on the 1LT coupe and drop top are 18-inch front alloy wheels and 19-inch rears, xenon headlamps, cruise control, keyless ignition/entry, full power accessories, OnStar, leather seating, a six-way power driver seat, a tilting steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate control. The standard seven-speaker audio system includes a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, steering-wheel-mounted controls and an auxiliary audio jack. The 2LT Package adds Bluetooth and upgraded leather seating with a power passenger seat. The convertible gets a power-operated top with the 2LT Package. More equipment can be found on the 3LT; it includes a head-up display, a power telescoping steering column with manual tilting, heated front seats, driver-seat memory settings and a Bose audio system. The top-level Corvette 4LT is very similar to the 3LT but includes an exclusive two-tone leather interior (with leather covering the dash top, console top and armrests).
The Z06 (coupe only) largely mirrors the standard model in terms of feature availability, but gains a more powerful V8, a fixed roof, a lighter frame and body panels, larger wheels and tires, a more stiffly tuned suspension, upgraded brakes and special sport seats. Compared to the Z06, the ZR1 boasts a more powerful supercharged V8, plus larger wheels, high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes, an exclusive suspension with adaptive dampers and additional lightweight body panels.
Major stand-alone options, depending on the model, include a navigation system, a transparent roof panel for the coupe, a two-tone interior, a dual-mode exhaust and different wheels. There are also suspension options for the standard Corvettes: the Magnetic Ride Control suspension (which automatically firms up and softens the suspension according to how the car is being driven) and the Z51 performance handling package (which adds extra cooling, stiffer suspension calibrations, bigger brakes, specific tires and shorter gearing for the six-speed manual). Also available are custom color and trim combinations, plus delivery to the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Powertrains and Performance
Both the base coupe and convertible Corvettes feature a 6.2-liter V8 that makes an impressive 430 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. The optional dual-mode exhaust adds another 6 hp and 4 lb-ft. The Z06 boasts an exotic-class 505 hp and 470 lb-ft from its 7.0-liter V8, while the ZR1 has an otherworldly 638 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque.
All 2009 Chevrolet Corvettes have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a six-speed paddle-shifted automatic is available for the base coupe and convertible. Regardless of which Corvette you choose, you'll get stunning performance. In our testing, a base coupe went from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Z06 will knock that down to 3.9 seconds. GM estimates the ZR1 does the 0-60-mph sprint in 3.4 seconds. EPA fuel economy estimates stand at a laudable 16 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for a manual-transmission Corvette. Opting for the automatic drops these numbers down by 1 mpg. The Z06 checks in at 15/24/18 mpg, and the ZR1 is still respectable considering its performance with a 14/20/16 EPA estimate.
2009 Corvette Performance, Engine & Power Specs
• 6,162 cc 6.2 liters V 8 front engine with 103.3 mm bore, 92.0 mm stroke, 10.7 compression ratio, overhead valve and two valves per cylinder LS3
• Premium unleaded fuel 91
• Fuel economy
• Multi-point injection fuel system
• 18.0 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 15.0
• Power: 321 kW , 430 HP SAE @ 5,900 rpm; 424 ft lb , 573 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
2009 Corvette Brakes, Suspension & Handling Specs
• ABS
• Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
• Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
• Immobilizer
• Rear limited slip differential
• Stability control
• Wishbone front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and leaf springs
2009 Corvette Weight, Lights & Exterior Dimensions Specs
• Painted front and rear bumpers
• Day time running lights
• Driver power heated painted door mirrors with automatic operation, passenger power heated painted door mirrors
• Electric trunk/hatch pull down
• External dimensions: overall length (inches): 174.6, overall width (inches): 72.6, overall height (inches): 49.0, wheelbase (inches): 105.7, front track (inches): 62.1, rear track (inches): 60.7 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 39.0
• Front fog lights
• Projector beam lens Xenon bulb headlights
• Luxury trim alloy & leather on gearknob and alloy look on dashboard
• Metallic paint
• Fixed rear window with defogger
• Tinted glass on cabin
• Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,217
• Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe
2009 Corvette Cargo, Stereo Speakers & Interior Feature Specs
• 12v power outlet: front
• Air conditioning with climate control 2 and auto
• Element antenna
• Anti-theft protection
• Front ashtray
• RDS audio system with satellite and CD player CD player reads MP3
• Cargo area light
• Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 22.4
• Cellular phone
• Front seats cigar lighter
• Clock
• Compass
• Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel
• Floor console
• Delayed/fade courtesy lights
• Cruise control
• Front seats cup holders
• Door ajar warning
• Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
• External temperature
• Floor mats
• Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
• Bucket electrically adjustable driver seat with height adjustment, three adjustments and tilt adjustment electric and electric, bucket passenger seat
• 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
• Front seat center armrest
• Two head restraints on front seats
• Headlight control with dusk sensor
• Illuminated entry system
• Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 37.9, front hip room (inches): 53.6, front leg room (inches): 43.1, front shoulder room (inches): 55.2 and interior volume (cu ft): 52.0
• Low tire pressure indicator
• Online information system
• Card key power locks speed sensing
• Vehicle speed proportional power steering
• Front power windows with two one-touch
• Front reading lights
• Automatic operation rear view mirror
• Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
• Remote fuel filler door release
• Remote control remote trunk/hatch release
• Leather seat upholstery with additional vinyl
• Seating: two seats
• Service interval indicator
• Smart card / smart key automatic, includes central locking and includes ignition starter
• Seven speaker(s)
• Leather covered steering wheel with tilt adjustment
• Tachometer
• Telematics includes engine shut down
• Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror
• Ventilation system with micro filter
• Voice activating system includes phone