Chevrolet Corvette (C6)

Z06

Corvette Z06 coupe

Corvette Z06 coupe

The Z06 arrived as a 2006 model in the third quarter of 2005 and is the lightest of all Corvette models. The Z06 was equipped with the largest-displacement small-block engine ever produced, a new 7,011 cc (7.0 L; 427.8 cu in) V8 engine codenamed LS7 produced 505 bhp (512 PS; 377 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 470 lb⋅ft (637 N⋅m) @ 4800 rpm of torque,^[9] is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine put into a production car from General Motors. In addition to the larger displacement engine, the Corvette Z06 has a dry sump oiling system, and connecting rods made out of titanium alloy. The frame of the Z06 is constructed from aluminum, saving 136 pounds (61 kg) over the standard steel frame. Other weight saving measures such as balsa wood/carbon fiber composite floors and a magnesium alloy engine cradle were used. The Z06's body differentiates itself from the standard Corvette with its larger front and rear fenders and an intake inlet scoop on the front bumper. The front fenders are constructed with carbon fiber and the rear fenders contain ducts to aid in cooling the rear brakes. The Z06 weighed 3,130 lb (1,420 kg),^[10] giving it a weight to power ratio of 6.2 pounds per horsepower (3.8 kg/kW), allowing it to achieve a fuel economy of 15 mpg_‑US (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg_‑imp) in the city and 24 mpg_‑US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg_‑imp) on the highway.^[11] The Z06 was the official pace car for both the 2006 Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 race. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.7 seconds at 125 mph (201 km/h) in October 2005. A pre-production/pre-official model was recorded by AMS against the 483bhp Porsche 996 GT2 with a slower 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds and a 0-to-400-meter time of 12.7 seconds in May 2004.^[12]The Z06 contains the following enhancements over the standard C6 Corvette:

• Hand-built LS7 7.0L / 427 CID V8 with dry sump oiling system
• Aluminum chassis with fixed roof
• Larger/stiffer anti-sway bars
• Stiffer springs and shocks
• Larger rear spoiler and front splitter
• Transmission cooler
• Unique front fascia with intake inlet
• Wider carbon fiber front and fiberglass rear fenders
• Functional front and rear brake ducts for added brake system cooling
• Unique light weight forged aluminum 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels; painted finish standard and chromed finish optional
• Wider 275/35ZR18 tires in the front and wider 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
• Larger 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, including cross-drilled 355 mm (14.0 in) front rotors and 340 mm (13 in) rear rotors
• Can be ordered with 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ trim packages.

For 2011 the Z06 carbon edition was introduced, which carries over multiple parts from the ZR1 including carbon ceramic brakes, active suspension, and other carbon fiber aerodynamic pieces. Only 500 Z06 Carbon Editions were made. Actual production numbers were much lower, in total only about 250 were Carbon Editions and 250 were optioned the same but did not have the carbon hood. In 2012 and 2013, these options can be ordered through the Z07 package on the Z06.^[13]

ZR1

Corvette ZR1

Corvette ZR1

The ZR1 is a Corvette variant that was first reported by several print and online publications, based on rumors that General Motors was developing a production version of the Corvette above the Z06 level under the internal code name Blue Devil (named after CEO Rick Wagoner's alma mater, Duke University). The car was originally rumored to feature a supercharged LS9 engine producing more than 630 bhp (639 PS; 470 kW) with prices reported to exceed $130,000.99 USD.^[14]

Corvette ZR1 Hood

The October 12, 2006 issue of AutoWeek published photos by photographer Chris Doane of a C6 with special auto-manufacturer-issued license plates on a Z06 with a hood bulge, widely thought to confirm the presence of a supercharger on the Blue Devil. Other names attached to the project included Corvette SS^[15] and Corvette Z07.^[16] In February 2007, a worker at a Michigan shipping company posted pictures online of a powertrain development mule that was being shipped to Germany, believed to be part of the Blue Devil program. The car had manufacturer's license plates, carbon-ceramic brakes, enlarged fender vents, a hood bulge, and an engine with a positive-displacement supercharger in the valley between the cylinder banks and a water-to-air intercooler atop it. GM began to release details on the Blue Devil project in April 2007, and revealed the ZR1 in December. The company confirmed the existence of the project in an interview with Car and Driver on April 13. Power levels were confirmed to be between 600 and 700 horsepower (447 and 522 kW), but contrary to prior rumors of a supercharged 6.2 liter engine, the engine was only confirmed to have greater displacement than the 7.0 liter LS7 in the Z06.^[17] Motor Trend confirmed the official name for the production Blue Devil, resurrecting the old ZR1 nameplate. The ZR1 had originally been used on developmental cars in 1971, and again as ZR-1 as the top performance model on the C4 Corvette.^[18] General Motors officially revealed the 2009 Corvette ZR1 on December 19, giving a press release and photographs of the car. GM confirmed a supercharged 6.2 L LS9 V8 producing 638 bhp (647 PS; 476 kW) @ 6500 rpm and 604 lb⋅ft (819 N⋅m) @ 3800 rpm of torque.^[19] A test of the ZR1 on the German autobahn reached a top speed of 192 mph (309 km/h), although the manufacturer claims it is engineered to reach 205 mph (330 km/h)^[20]

Carbon fiber is used on the roof, hood, fenders, front splitter, and rocker moldings; the hood and fenders are painted over, while the roof and splitter are merely covered in a clear-coat, retaining their black color. A polycarbonate window is placed in the center of the hood, allowing the engine intercooler to be seen from the exterior. The wheels are the largest ever placed on a production Corvette, with both front and rear wheels increasing in size and diameter over the Corvette Z06. Carbon-ceramic brakes are included. The brake calipers are painted blue, as are the engine intercooler trim and the ZR1 logo. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is also included on the car, with sensors to automatically adjust stiffness levels based on road conditions and vehicle movement.^[21]

Grand Sport

Corvette Grand Sport

The 2010 Grand Sport was unveiled at the 12th annual C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash, held at the National Corvette Museum.^[22] The Grand Sport replaces the previous Z51 option. The GS or Grand Sport was equipped with the following enhancements:

• Specific manual transmission with different gear ratios
• Larger/stiffer anti-sway bars
• Stiffer springs
• Revised shocks
• Larger Z06 rear spoiler
• Transmission cooler
• Functional front and rear brake ducts for added brake system cooling
• Unique light weight forged aluminum 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels (painted finish standard and chromed finish optional)
• Z06 brakes, including cross-drilled 355 mm (14.0 in) front rotors and 340 mm (13 in) rear rotors
• Specific rear axle ratio on automatic transmission equipped models
• Can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages.
• Wider front and rear fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
• Wider 275/35ZR18 tires in the front
• Wider 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
• 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers
• Dry-sump oil system (Coupes equipped with manual transmissions only)
• Hand-built LS3 6.2L V8 (Coupes equipped with manual transmissions only)
• Manual models also include launch control.

Ron Fellows Special Edition (2007)

399 Ron Fellows Special Edition Z06 Corvettes were produced in 2007 with an option cost of $7,500.00. Option included Arctic White paint with Monterey Red Grand Sport style fender stripes, Arctic White "CORVETTE" script windshield banner, Ebony/Red interior, body color exterior door handles and full-width rear spoiler, unique console and dash pod trim pattern, Red center console lid with C6 logo embroidery (signed and numbered by Ron Fellows) and 427 hood emblems.

ZHZ (2008)

Chevrolet Corvette ZHZ

500 examples of the ZHZ - mechanically a C6 coupé with the LS3 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, vacuum actuated valve exhaust, F55 suspension and unique 7-spoke chrome wheels - were produced for The Hertz Corporation's Fun Collection for 2008 in targa versions. 350 convertibles were produced for Hertz in 2009.^[24] All cars were finished in yellow with a broad black stripe along the hood and roof.^[25]

GT1 Championship Edition (2009)

The GT1 Championship Edition is an option package for the C6 that was unveiled in the 2009 New York Auto Show.^[26] It celebrates the Corvette C6.R's entry into the GT1 class of ALMS in 2009. Its Based on Corvette Coupe 4LT, Convertible 4LT or Z06, it comes with same yellow body hue that adorns the C6.R or "41U" black, along with a "Jake" graphic that spans the Championship edition's hood. Chrome wheels and a body-colored spoiler pulled from the ZR1 join a "carbon pattern" engine cover, while inside a leather-wrapped ebony interior contains "GT1" embroidered on the seats, an instrument panel and a center console armrest. Non-Z06 models also include a Z51 Performance Package and NPP Performance exhaust.

100 units of each model (600 total) were built, each carrying a $7,840 premium over standard models.^[27]

Z06 Carbon Limited Edition (2011)

In March 2010, Chevrolet announced that 500 Z06 Carbon Limited Editions will be made available as a 2011 model beginning in Summer 2010. The car will be available in two colors: Inferno Orange and an all-new Supersonic Blue. On the exterior, the car will get black headlamps and mirrors, a ZR1-style spoiler, carbon fiber hood, and black carbon fiber rockers and splitter. Inside, the Z06 Carbon has ebony leather and suede seats with body color-matching stitching. Other improvements include Magnetic Selective Ride Control, a special carbon engine cover, 20-spoke black 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels, and ZR1’s carbon ceramic Brembo brakes.^[28]

Centennial Edition (2012)

Order code "ZLC" was an equipment package celebrating 100 years of racing heritage at Chevrolet. Offered exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, the Centennial Edition kit includes satin-black graphics and unique lightweight cast-spun aluminum Centennial Satin Black wheels that feature a thin red perimeter outline (on Z06 and ZR1 cars). All cars will come with red brake calipers and feature Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

Inside, Ebony leather with red stitching accents dominate, while the seats, steering wheel and armrests feature microfiber suede accents. The headrests have an embossed Centennial Edition logo and the steering wheel hub carries the same "Louis Chevrolet 100" graphic found on the car's B-pillar and wheel center caps. Arguably the most subtle variation to be found is seen in the signature crossed-flags exterior badge, which sees the traditional fleur-de-lis element replaced with "100" in all Centennial Edition cars.

Z06X

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06X

The Z06X was designed to be a factory built road race car similar to cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Dodge Viper ACR-X. The concept car was built by GM with the help of Pratt & Miller Engineering. The Z06X features racecar components such as: carbon fiber adjustable rear wing, carbon fiber front splitter, full roll cage, fire suppression system, race seat, harness, carbon ceramic brakes, upgraded cooling system, polycarbonate rear window, adjustable coilovers, adjustable sway bars, and tow hooks; the radio, interior carpeting and sound-deadening materials have been removed.^[31] The suspension system was designed and supplied by Pfadt Race Engineering.^[32]

C6.R

Corvette C6.R

File:Dijon Neon Callaway Wako's ED 2012 Super GT Sugo free practice.jpg

The C6.R was a replacement for the C5-R, built by Pratt & Miller, and unveiled for its first competition at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race of the American Le Mans Series. It came in second and third in its class, just behind the new Aston Martin DBR9 race car. It was put on display a week later at the New York International Auto Show next to the Z06.

In 2006, the Corvette C6.R won both American Le Mans GT1 Championships: Teams and Manufacturers. On March 17, 2007 it won the GT1 class in the 12 Hours of Sebring.

For Le Mans 2007, four C6.R's were on the entry list, the two Corvette Racing entries joined by single entries from the Luc Alphand Aventures and PSI-Motorsport teams.

The heart of the C6.R, its LS7.R motor, was crowned as Global Motorsport Engine of the Year by a jury of 50 race engine engineers on the Professional Motorsport World Expo 2006 in Cologne, Germany.

As the GT1 class dwindled, Corvette Racing switched to the GT2 class during the 2009 ALMS season.

For 2011, the aerodynamics of the ALMS cars were modified to be similar to the ZR1. This car has since won the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes. In 2012, the Corvette C6.R won again in the GTE-Am category.

In addition to the American Le Mans Series, Corvette C6.Rs also race in the FIA GT1 World Championship. The GT1 cars are given more power and have less aerodynamics restrictions than the Le Mans cars, which follow GT2 regulations.

Riley GT

Riley Technologies built a GT2-class Chevrolet Corvette for the 2008 American Le Mans Series. The car also raced at the 2009 Petit Le Mans, where it beat both Pratt & Miller-built factory cars in qualifying.

Z06-R

Corvette Z06-R GT3

Entered in the FIA GT3 European Championship series as a GT3 class car, the Z06-R is a modified production Z06. Changes were necessary to make the car endurance race ready. These include a stripped interior, full rollcage for safety, center-locking wheels, carbon fiber doors, rear deck spoiler and front splitter. The LS7 and LS3-engine and drivetrain are built by APP Racing Engines from the Netherlands. The car is not road legal.

Eight Z06-R were constructed by Callaway Competition GmbH^[33] in Leingarten, Germany, for the 2006 season. The French team Riverside campaigned a three car team.^[34] In an effort to achieve parity among the disparate participants of the GT3 Series, three forms of handicapping were applied by the FIA regulators: additional vehicle weight, ride height, and tire compound selection. The Corvettes were raced with all three handicaps employed. The Z06R won the FIA GT3 European Championship in its second year of entry.^[35] By 2011, all Z06-R teams discontinued their racing efforts in GT3, ending the car's FIA career. Z06-Rs are also campaigned in national championships.

Notes

Bibliography