Comment on the '06 Z06 by Dave Hill

[DWS]

Distallation of facts, info, and rumors aquired since Corvette 50th Anniversary event in Nashville, Corvettes at Carlisle 2003, etc. I worked for CMD as a District Service Manager in the 80's, and keep in touch with some of the GM survivors. Much is logical, e.g., hydroformed aluminum frame was rumored to be standard for C6, but production process was not ready in time. Other features have been mentioned in Automotive Press for some time, and other info from GM Suppliers, e.g., Delphi, ITT Industries Automotive (former employer), etc. Not hard to figure out with Viper SRT, Porche 911 Turbo as target.

 

[z06nutss405]

so were did you hear that and, do you know if they are reliable and I like the sound of that 3sec 0-60 that is faster than the enzo

 

[Roadfrog]

ZO6 Enhancement

I'd like to see a window sticker with a reasonable price on it.

 

[JBsC5]

c6 z06 priced reasonably would be? 60grand? 70g?

 

[Edmond]

c6 z06 priced reasonably would be? 60grand? 70g?

JB,

How much do the C5 Z06's sticker for? Isn't it in the low 50's? I would say mid 50's is reasonable to me, but that's just me.

 

[JBsC5]

Hi Edmond..


I recently viewed the Z16 Z06 pricing and if I remember correctly it was sitting a little over 56 grand msrp..

With the new Z06 C6 having more carbon fiber in it to lighten the weight...under 3,000 lbs..having a 500 hp motor, dry sump lubrication...advanced titanium usage..and ..having 20 inch rims? I can see a 20% increase in msrp on the C6 Z06..

56,000 x 20% = 11,200
56,000 + 11,200 = 67 thousand dollars..

I hope I'm wrong but even at 67 grand the world will rave about the performance of this 500 hp sub 3000 lb beast called Corvette...and its amazing value..

Think of it this way..I still remember the days when 5500 dollars bought a new corvette.........and that was top money back then..

44 grand for the base corvette that according to GM is reportedly touting as faster accelerating then the "king of the HIll"

So for an estimated 67 grand..in 2006 dollars..your actually getting a pretty impressive deal on the newest "KING OF THE HILL" or so they want us to believe..

I often compare the cost of any of the various corvettes to the prices of mundane SUV's roaming the roads and interestingly enough..the owners are often paying more..

So I guess a 67 grand for the top model is not out of the question?

 

[vettepilot]

If Chevy is going to step up to the plate and go after the big dawgs, they should (IMHO) offer more customer select (freeflow) performance options. Rear gear ratios come to mind immediately, as well as optional engine configurations. Certainly optional wheel/tire combinations also. The small list of options being offered, and very few have to do with performance, is a bean counter approach to marketing.
If these performance options are not offered from the factory as RPOs, then GM needs to seriously consider the "over the counter" approach offering performance parts that are; easily obtainable, warranteed, designed to fit, and work together in their respective platforms. This could also allow the marketing strategists to gather information on what products do sell, and to what segment of their customer base. It would also allow a greater market coverage of those parts so that the engineers would get feedback on the part(s) durability issues. By using that information, they could then determine what option packaging is really desired, and in turn the bean counters would see that it might make sense to offer more packages.
The Corvette line, even thought it is small compared to the rest of the GM line-up, is an excellent test bed because of the market segment within the population. The average Corvette enthusiast probably knows what he/she wants in a vehicle that is so targeted vs the average consumer who just wants basic transportation.

vettepilot

 

[Edmond]

If Chevy is going to step up to the plate and go after the big dawgs, they should (IMHO) offer more customer select (freeflow) performance options. Rear gear ratios come to mind immediately, as well as optional engine configurations. Certainly optional wheel/tire combinations also. The small list of options being offered, and very few have to do with performance, is a bean counter approach to marketing.
If these performance options are not offered from the factory as RPOs, then GM needs to seriously consider the "over the counter" approach offering performance parts that are; easily obtainable, warranteed, designed to fit, and work together in their respective platforms. This could also allow the marketing strategists to gather information on what products do sell, and to what segment of their customer base. It would also allow a greater market coverage of those parts so that the engineers would get feedback on the part(s) durability issues. By using that information, they could then determine what option packaging is really desired, and in turn the bean counters would see that it might make sense to offer more packages.
The Corvette line, even thought it is small compared to the rest of the GM line-up, is an excellent test bed because of the market segment within the population. The average Corvette enthusiast probably knows what he/she wants in a vehicle that is so targeted vs the average consumer who just wants basic transportation.

vettepilot

It used to be like that but the beancounters took over!:L I think that would be very good because competition ultimately benefits us, the consumer. I think the prices for aftermarket performance parts would drop if GM got into the game.

 

[Interceptor430]

I've nothing to say here except it makes sense based on Dave Hills past comments and the questions he refused to answer one year ago.

 

[blktie8]

New Z06

First I would like a roll bar
choices in gearing
better brakes
Michelin tires
power cut shifting (no Clutch)
Removable top would be nice
better flowing exhaust and intake
Forged Pistons

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

The next ZO6 hopefully has better, larger seat bolsters and a more durable stich, fabric etc. 500hp should be the minimum to compete with the Ford GT and the Viper. Most likely looking at the new C6, the 06' ZO6 will have a better air intake design, and can use more of a RAM air setup. The transmission should be at least a six speed with stronger gears, shift pads and forks. A lightweight flywheel and performance clutch is a must. A 3.73 gear ratio should be offered along with the standard 3.42.

 

[theblackvette]

Estimated MSRP for this???????

The next ZO6 hopefully has better, larger seat bolsters and a more durable stich, fabric etc. 500hp should be the minimum to compete with the Ford GT and the Viper. Most likely looking at the new C6, the 06' ZO6 will have a better air intake design, and can use more of a RAM air setup. The transmission should be at least a six speed with stronger gears, shift pads and forks. A lightweight flywheel and performance clutch is a must. A 3.73 gear ratio should be offered along with the standard 3.42.

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

It would be nice to see 58k-63k. I don't know, what do you think it should be?

 

[6 Shooter]

I'm hearing strong rumors of . . .

7 liter engine and in your face super aggressive design . . .

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[invinceablevett]

I would love to see more carbone-fibre on a corvette BUT please someone tell them not to write the words carbone-fibre on the darn hood.I strolled over to my local dealer to check out a '02 electron convertible(sold friday) when I noticed a Z16 in the showroom....;worship .Beautiful evreything ( msrp 85 grand CAN.)..I got that "Where do I sign ? feeling"......The one thing that looked silly(to me) was the small lettering on the silver striping on the hood....carbone-fiber was printed on the hood????? Can't be ??? YUP there it was.....I never noticed it before but yes there it was....I could understand GM putting Z16 on the hood or maybe horsepower,displacement,......not freaken building materials !!!!!..Maybe it's just me.....

 

[agentf1]

The C6 Z06 need Viper sized rubber on the back and > than Viper HP under the hood and unique looks over the standard C6 for it to be a success. Tired of being #2.

 

[froggy47]

Exhaust sound commensurate with it's performance. Why build Corvettes that sound like mini vans & have to go aftermarket to replace the stock exhaust? Do Ferrari's get their oem exhausts replaced as much as Corvettes?

 

[JBsC5]

Government drive by noise regulation is the reason the corvettes sound the way they do from the factory.

 

[froggy47]

Well I hear you, but it's the same rules for Vipers & Mustangs & they sound better with the oem exhaust. The first mod I did on my LT4 was to scrap the oem exhaust & bolt on a Corsa. Huge difference and the Corsa is GM licensed so I have no doubt it passes "noise" laws.

 

[talequin]

froggy47,

By GM licensed, does that imply the warranty is not voided when the Corsas are installed?

-KJ