More 2006 C6 ZO6 updates from Corvette head Dave Hill

[Rob]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica]Here are a few items from Dave Hill's presentation on the C6 Z06 at the C5/6 Registry Birthday Bash in Bowling Green, Ky. Some old stuff, some new stuff....

• The top speed will be substantially above 190 MPH.
• The fender badge will show 505 HP.
• Quarter mile on street tires in mid 11's.
• The car has been tested on several race tracks with over 1,750 laps at top speed. Drivers included C6R team, and GM test people.
• The car magazines will get a production built car for testing in July.
• Next week they will air ship a production built car to Nurburing for testing.
• 93 octane is the recommended gasoline to use.
• The car will have heavier duty half shafts, than the C5 Z06.
• The rear axle ratio will be 3.42.
• Car will be available with 6-speed manual only.
• the aftermarket would be able to do better than this exhaust system.
• the Zo6 could take a higher lift camshaft without any problems, saying the pistons have extra valve reliefs built in from the factory to accomodate a new higher duration cam with more lift.
• they brought along a dyno sheet that appeared to be an engine dyno, 505hp and 470lb-ft, and 400ft. lbs all the way across the board from 2400 rpms on up.
• Xm anttena aids in downforce
• The crate motor LS7 would be around $15,000
• The Z06 will use the same 6 spd as the base C6, not the optional Z51 gearing.
• Front brake cooling improved over C5 Z06 by a multiple of 5 and rear improved by a multiple of 2.
• Front fascia scoop operable and testing shows main benefit is to reduce air temperature entering engine...not so much to increase airflow due to bends in design necessary to eliminate possibility of water ingestion.
• Downforce has been optimized and adding a rear wing or full width rear spoiler will negatively affect balance without changing size of front splitter, etc. A general principle but the engineers emphasized this issue when talking about raised height of the C6 Z06 rear CMSL, size of front splitter, etc.
• Lowering the new Z06 to improve looks/stance will upset the balance achieved but if you do be very careful not to exceed the "magic number" of 3/4 inches or the performance loss outweighs aesthetic benefit. Also, be aware the C6 sits lower in front versus rear, unlike the C5.
• They are working on a new "steel blue" color as shown on slides during presentation. Didn't say what model year it might appear.
• Horsepower to weight ratio of the best (6.2lbs to 1hp) the exotic car makers have as only the Enzo and the mega dollar Porsche were superior.
• No price release til June or July
• There will not be a horse power bump in the 2007 Z06, there will not be a 525hp or 550hp 2007.
• He explained the 2nd year Z06 got the bump to 405hp due to a break thru in better catalytic converters (I guess inferring they could meet the same emissions standards with a larger cam?)

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[Aurora40]

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• [font=verdana, arial, helvetica]Xm anttena aids in downforce[/font]

Seriously?? What is that thing, bolted on? I'd think if it had any significant force applied to it, it would just come right off...

 

[DkBG]

505 HP badge on the fender ! Gotta love it ! Cliff

 

[Joe C]

Seriously?? What is that thing, bolted on? I'd think if it had any significant force applied to it, it would just come right off...

my understanding is that the 2006 corvette models will incorporate the xm antenna into the side door mirrors - unless there is some new aero design or something... - ???

 

[StillDreaming]

Thank you GM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OLDGOAT]

The highest octane available in my region is 92. The car must be intended for the east coast market?

I sure would like to ask Mr. Hill if the front license plate in the factory position will interfere with air flow into the intake ( and for that matter if the double sided sticky tape will hold up to speeds "substantially above 190 mph". A car with performance this high with a stick on front plate holder. Good grief.

To date I haven't seen a single GM supplied promo photo of the C6 or new Z06 that shows the front plate installed. Guess they forgot to include these in the press packets and ads. ( eh, GM-it's smart not to show it but you know that in states where front plates are required new owners will eventually have to deal with it )

 

[Rob]

The highest octane available in my region is 92. The car must be intended for the east coast market?

I sure would like to ask Mr. Hill if the front license plate in the factory position will interfere with air flow into the intake ( and for that matter if the double sided sticky tape will hold up to speeds "substantially above 190 mph". A car with performance this high with a stick on front plate holder. Good grief.

To date I haven't seen a single GM supplied promo photo of the C6 or new Z06 that shows the front plate installed. Guess they forgot to include these in the press packets and ads. ( eh, GM-it's smart not to show it but you know that in states where front plates are required new owners will eventually have to deal with it )

Let's wait until the Z06 goes into production for the public before we start making unnecessary assumptions. Right now, the C6 Z06 is being built on the line in very small numbers for testing and evaluation by GM Engineers. It is not ready for public sale and some information that you "hear" can very easily be speculation.

I spent 2 1/2 hours in the passenger seat of a silver 2006 Z06 yesterday. I guarantee Corvette owners and enthusiasts will NOT be disappointed.

 

[JBsC5]

There is NO question the C6 Z06 will impress the hell out of all sports car enthusiasts..

Thanks for the heads up..

Silver and black is the hot setup ...IMO for the C6 Z06.

GM outdid themselves for sure.

 

[Gorgon]

I spent 2 1/2 hours in the passenger seat of a silver 2006 Z06 yesterday. I guarantee Corvette owners and enthusiasts will NOT be disappointed.

Details Rob. You can't make that statement without giving us some juicy details. Or are you under embargo until later?

Leon

 

[Rob]

Details Rob. You can't make that statement without giving us some juicy details. Or are you under embargo until later?

Leon

Leon, stay tuned, I'll be releasing an article shorlty that I've been working on since yesterday.