Hib Halverson
Technical Writer for Internet & Print Media
I don't care what the spin is from GM or what kind of BS rumors all the freaking Internet experts are making-up.
C6 is an evolutionary car based on C5.
Why?
Well, for one thing, the basic C5 structure and suspension are very sound designs. It's a great basis for a major update and a whole new car is not needed. Also, C6 is coming after only 8 model years of C5 whereas C4 ran 12 and C3 ran 13 MYs. Again, a whole new car is not needed.
The base C6 Targa and Convertible will use a structure--perimeter frame and closed structural tunnel--similar to C5. They will also use a suspension and powertrain that is similar in layout. Wheel base is a bit longer but overall length is said to be a bit shorter.
Is evolutionary a bad thing?
Hell No!
The base engine will be a 366 cuin Gen 4 V8 of about 400hp (many say it's 405). The Gen 4 will introduce Displacement on Demand and variable cam phasing. It's unknown if the base engine will also have the much-discussed three-valve heads. My guess is the Targa's weight will somewhere between where the C5 base and Z06 are. I suspect that '05 base car will just about equal the performance of today's Z06.
As for the '06 Coupe (Z06), my guess is that's where we'll see the rumored aluminum frame. Also, GMPT is already on-record that the higher performance Gen 4 will have 500hp. If you take that number, divide it by the current LS6's specific output (1.17) you come up with 427 cuin. Think Chevy marketing would sell their Moms into prostitution to bring back the "427 Vette"? Plus, GM already has a 427 Gen3 block and Gen4 blocks are based on Gen 3 architecture.
I think the rumor of this engine being a 6.3L or a 6.4 is a red herring and the Z06 engine will actually be a 24-valve 427.
Ok...427 with 500hp. Weight around 2900lbs which is 500 lbs less than both Viper and Ford GT and a whopping 800 lbs less than an old ZR-1.
You guys tell me what's going to happen?
C6 is an evolutionary car based on C5.
Why?
Well, for one thing, the basic C5 structure and suspension are very sound designs. It's a great basis for a major update and a whole new car is not needed. Also, C6 is coming after only 8 model years of C5 whereas C4 ran 12 and C3 ran 13 MYs. Again, a whole new car is not needed.
The base C6 Targa and Convertible will use a structure--perimeter frame and closed structural tunnel--similar to C5. They will also use a suspension and powertrain that is similar in layout. Wheel base is a bit longer but overall length is said to be a bit shorter.
Is evolutionary a bad thing?
Hell No!
The base engine will be a 366 cuin Gen 4 V8 of about 400hp (many say it's 405). The Gen 4 will introduce Displacement on Demand and variable cam phasing. It's unknown if the base engine will also have the much-discussed three-valve heads. My guess is the Targa's weight will somewhere between where the C5 base and Z06 are. I suspect that '05 base car will just about equal the performance of today's Z06.
As for the '06 Coupe (Z06), my guess is that's where we'll see the rumored aluminum frame. Also, GMPT is already on-record that the higher performance Gen 4 will have 500hp. If you take that number, divide it by the current LS6's specific output (1.17) you come up with 427 cuin. Think Chevy marketing would sell their Moms into prostitution to bring back the "427 Vette"? Plus, GM already has a 427 Gen3 block and Gen4 blocks are based on Gen 3 architecture.
I think the rumor of this engine being a 6.3L or a 6.4 is a red herring and the Z06 engine will actually be a 24-valve 427.
Ok...427 with 500hp. Weight around 2900lbs which is 500 lbs less than both Viper and Ford GT and a whopping 800 lbs less than an old ZR-1.
You guys tell me what's going to happen?
