MotorWeek Tests Corvette SLP ZL610, SLP Escalade: Video

Now here’s is a supercharged duet we’d love to get our hands on: the SLP ZL610 Corvette and SLP 525 Escalade each improve on the respective bastion of American performance, while keeping both vehicles from attaining that commonly-undesired cheap “aftermarket” look.

Corvette SLP ZL610

Like the ZR1, SLP’s ZL puts out over 600 horses. But unlike the top-of-the-like Corvette from the factory — which is only available with a fixed roof and a manual transmission — SLP’s take on the definitive American sports car offers a choice of a convertible (or a removable roof) and an automatic gearbox (if that’s your sort of thing).

MotorWeek calls the SLP Vette “more civilized” than the ZR1, “almost soft” even — but that’s not to say it can’t move. The ZL ran the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds, sprinted to 60 in a mere 3.8 seconds, and launched like a dream — even though the “rear end never feels like it’s 100 percent planted” to MotorWeek gents. What’s more, the automatic works well, but the guys at MotorWeek would take the manual instead (as would we).

To achieve its 610 horses, the SLP beast starts with the now-familiar LS3, adds a TVS 2300 supercharger, new rockers and valve springs, as well as an exhaust system. And those square exhaust tips look great, as does the composite hood with a polycarbonate window. Styling-wise, the SLP Vette gets a ZR1-style front fascia, splitter, side skirts, and rear quarter panels, along with a full-width high-lift rear spoiler. The package comes in at $19,995 over a Corvette of your choosing.

SLP Cadillac Escalde

The SLP Escalade is for those who plan to seat more than a single passenger… or, as MotorWeek puts it, it’s a “hauler that hauls”. Like the ZL610, the huge Caddy is supercharged — with its L94 6.2 liter V8 making a respectable 525 horsepower.

Additions include an air induction system and full stainless steel exhaust that ends with dual tips exiting on both sides of the rear wheels, along with an optional blacked-out trim to tone down the excess with which the Escalade has become synonymous — something that the next-gen version is expected to do away with.

MotorWeek, however, says that the Escalade’s truck-based GMT900 chassis gets overwhelmed easily by the almost-too-powerful supercharged engine, making driving a hands-on affair. A sprint to 60 takes a mere 6 seconds, while the quarter mile is covered at 96 MPH. SLP’s additions add $14,995 to any Escalade.

Our favorite scene is the Escalade making its way through the slalom course… which you can see at the end of this very video: