Feel free to read that headline as many times as necessary, but yes, it’s true: Clarkson-san wrote “Out of nowhere, my car of the year,” the Corvette ZR1. The man who pooped on the spearhead of electric cars has given an American high horsepower pushrod V8 the gold and glory. And this is after comparing the ZR1′s predecessors to Big Macs: “Cheap, plastic and at the right time, and in the right place, sort of just what you want.”

Not only that, but to put the ZR1 on its pedestal, Clarkson went so far as to remove the Caterham 500 he had previously placed there. On the show, he said that the Caterham was the best of the year, but in his article writes, “However, if you broaden the search engine and look simply for the best car of the year, the Caterham isn’t in with a shout because it’s ugly and geeky and I wouldn’t have one even if the option was the loss of my right testicle.”

And so the ZR1 reigns, even though “it’s not built very well.” In Clarkson’s words, it is “both docile and extraordinarily savage,” looks good, goes fast in a straight line and around corners, “most of the time bumbles about like a forgetful uncle,” and costs “lots for a Corvette” but is a bargain for the performance. His only lament about the car was this: “unless the healthcare and pensions company that makes it can be turned around, it will be the last of the breed.” The ZR1 – winning hearts and minds… Hat tip to Pdexter!

Here’s one more reason, besides the gas prices and congestion taxes, to be glad you don’t live in Europe: the awesome new Corvette ZR1 will sticker for twice as much there as it does in the United States.

Dutch importer Kroymans, which handles Corvette sales in Europe, said the ZR1 will have a sticker price of 136,000 euros. At current exchange rates, that equals $214,146.64. In the United States, the ZR1 will sticker for $105,000, which includes shipping charges and a gas-guzzler tax–but good look finding one for sale at that price.
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