More 2006 Z06 Spy Pictures and Misc. Info.

[Rob]

From TheCarConnection.com:

http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=178&sid=178&article=7689

http://www.channel4.com/4car/gallery/spy-shots-2004/C/chevrolet/corvette-z06_page_3.html

Spy Shots: '06 Chevy Corvette Z06
The high-powered Corvette makes its return.
by Brenda Priddy (2004-10-25)
Packing 500 horsepower with its 7.0-liter V-8, the high-powered Z06 Corvette will be introduced by Chevrolet early next year. Sources are speculating that Z06 coupe, shown here, will be introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, followed days later by the convertible introduction at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Wider tires and Brembo brake calipers give the first clue to the true identity of this masked Corvette. Rumors of a removable hardtop option are also circulating. But we may have to wait till January to find out more.

© Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Company

 

[c5vetter]

convertible intro at Detroit? thought Verts were rolling off the line now!?

 

[P-ColaVette]

My Question is....

So, they have done away with the Fixed roof, and the Z will no longer have a trunk ? These spy pic's look like it is a regular coupe body with removeable Targa roof and big back glass ?



Steve.

 

[Rob]

To NCCC Netters,

Normally, I would wait to publish an article in Blue Bars for an event, but this past weekend's High Speed events at Grattan Raceway were so exciting for our region and I could not wait to share some of the highlights. Grattan Raceway is a 2.0 mile road course with many blind, over the hill, off-cambered turns designed to make you go off track. With this in mind and the fact that it rained, let me re-phrase that, it poured relentlessly all day long, our flatbed/tow truck did not have to be used at all. That goes to show how much talent we have in our NCCC drivers...

We were also honored by the participation of profesional race car driver Danny Kellermeyer, who took us all to school by taking Overall FTDs in the high speeds with a time of 1:25. Group 2 FTD was me with a 1:29, Group 1 was Chuck Curran with a 1:31, and Group 1 Street was Rob Ovall with a 1:32. All FTDs in the men's classes were C5s.

A small autocross was set up for all participants to make one run in a school bus. The winner of this special "Top Mutt" award was won by Chris Scafero with a blistering time of 15.5 seconds. He was the only one to check all six tire pressures. At the end of the day on Sunday, we were treated with the presence of a C6 Z06 test mule. The anonymous driver was allowed to do a hot laps session. If you are considering getting one when they come out, you better run and get in line now. By the second lap, the C6 Z06 was running 1:29 on street tires. Hell yeah! That's what I am talking about!

Rene Cardenas
Michigan RCD

 

[titan81]

7.0 liter the Mighty 427 returns
sounds like the Vipers better start lookin out.

 

[invinceablevett]

convertible z06 ?

 

[Hib Halverson]

No convertible Z06es.
The 06 Z06 will use the C6 Coupe bodystyle but with a fixed roof panel, ie: it's a "fixed-roof coupe" but not a notch-back style.

That GM is bringing protos to public events clearly indicates it wants to get Internet discussions lit up.

 

[Z06 Tom]

Man, I love those wheels! I can't wait to see the final production version. :cool

 

[jak112460]

I don't like the coupe look with that long rear window. I was hoping they would do the roof similar to the C5 ZO6. Oh well you can't have everything. I'll take the 427 instead. Now we can bore and stroke that bad boy to 500 inches. Think of the possibilities?

 

[reubenmc]

Man, I love those wheels! I can't wait to see the final production version. :cool

I agree with Tom, those wheels are looking pretty sweet!!. I don't know what the normal fender looks like exactly......does that second picture appear to be flared out some??

Can't wait to see this bad boy in person come Jan. 15 in Detroit!!!!

 

[jak112460]

It looks like bigger fender flares and the rear facia looks more rounded also. I only care about what's under the hood anyway.

 

[Z06 Tom]

I'll take the 427 instead. Now we can bore and stroke that bad boy to 500 inches. Think of the possibilities?

I know!! I don't even think you'd need more cubes, just strap a set of intercooled twins on that sucker!!

 

[titan81]

Just think too, that engine is putting 620(or so) out if the rwhp is 500
And thats with the crap computer chip program. Just a little tweaking and less restriction and you'd see 700+ plus easily.

 

[Z06 Tom]

Just think too, that engine is putting 620(or so) out if the rwhp is 500
And thats with the crap computer chip program. Just a little tweaking and less restriction and you'd see 700+ plus easily.

They use flywheel hp for these stats. Just as the 405hp Z is putting around 350 to the wheels, if the new Z is rated at 500, it'll put around 425 to the ground. That's still very strong. Like I say, immagine force feeding that bad boy!!! If the cr of the LS7 is the same as the LS2 (which may not be the case, it may be even higher) @10.9/1, you'd have to do some head work to bring it down. Immagine a nice head cam package and a set of twins. Here Ford GT, here Ford GT!!

 

[reubenmc]

Immagine a nice head cam package and a set of twins. Here Ford GT, here Ford GT!!

.....And the 'Vette will still be half the price of the GT!!!

 

[Edmond]

I'm sure it will be more affordable than a GT or Viper. And knowing the Corvette attitude, the car can be used as a daily driver with creature comforts.

Aren't they shooting for a 2900 lbs. curb weight?

I wonder if they'll use carbon fiber on the interior.

 

[reubenmc]

Aren't they shooting for a 2900 lbs. curb weight?

Three 500 h.p. cars. The GT weighing 3390 lbs., the Viper weighing in at 3380 lbs., and our ZO6 weighing near 2,900 lbs........ Hummmm.... I wonder which car is going to be faster!!!!!

 

[Rob]

My personal opinion on these pics....these are very "raw" Z06 test mules that don't look anything like what the production models will look like, but that's just my own personal prediction.

They're probably being used to test various systems and components specific to the Z06 and, to tease and taunt the "paparazzi."

Let's face it, all it takes is one or two "spy shots" to generate one hell of a buzz in a community like this. Everyone starts making predictions, drools or slams GM for what they have done to the car (given that it's a test mule wrapped in plastic - go figure), the "well he said this" and "I heard this" starts getting thrown around, and the GM guys probably sit back reading all this "stuff" and laughing their butts off at all the comments and speculation. Now admit it - if you were in their shoes, you'd do the same thing too. :L

 

[vettepilot]

My personal opinion on these pics....these are very "raw" Z06 test mules that don't look anything like what the production models will look like, but that's just my own personal prediction.

They're probably being used to test various systems and components specific to the Z06 and, to tease and taunt the "paparazzi."

Let's face it, all it takes is one or two "spy shots" to generate one hell of a buzz in a community like this. Everyone starts making predictions, drools or slams GM for what they have done to the car (given that it's a test mule wrapped in plastic - go figure), the "well he said this" and "I heard this" starts getting thrown around, and the GM guys probably sit back reading all this "stuff" and laughing their butts off at all the comments and speculation. Now admit it - if you were in their shoes, you'd do the same thing too. :L

Ain't THAT the truth!!:L :L
Sometimes I feel left out in the cold, seems like every forum I go to everybody has a brother, sister, uncle, cousin, father in-law, brother in-law, or good friend and neighbor who works for GM, or Chevy, is on Dave Hill's short list or some other high insider position. I have to be content with using what I read and with a little logic try to figure out what it all means.
What I see is one of several white mules, nice wheels, big ole tires in the back, Brembo looking brake calipers, and drilled rotors. Whether or not the new Z06 will be a fast back fixed roof coupe, or the FRC like the current Z probably is already decided for the first year. But a mule doesn't necessarily mean that's the final design.
I for one seriously hope we don't see a bunch of useless carbon fiber in places where it doesn't enhance performance, (like center dash panal trim etc.) if it is going into the car, at least use it for a component large enough to make a significant weight savings, hood, outside door panals, roof etc. Carbon fiber trim panels are for kids, the Z06 should be a serious performance car. Everything that goes into the design and construction should be there as a performance enhancement. That will keep the price down to a reasonable level, and do what the Z06 is supposed to do, be the gold standard to beat as was the 01 and 02 Z06s.
Well, that's my 2 cents worth on that.:eyerole

vettepilot...... with my flamesuit on

 

[Rob]

Ain't THAT the truth!!:L :L
Sometimes I feel left out in the cold, seems like every forum I go to everybody has a brother, sister, uncle, cousin, father in-law, brother in-law, or good friend and neighbor who works for GM, or Chevy, is on Dave Hill's short list or some other high insider position. I have to be content with using what I read and with a little logic try to figure out what it all means.
What I see is one of several white mules, nice wheels, big ole tires in the back, Brembo looking brake calipers, and drilled rotors. Whether or not the new Z06 will be a fast back fixed roof coupe, or the FRC like the current Z probably is already decided for the first year. But a mule doesn't necessarily mean that's the final design.
I for one seriously hope we don't see a bunch of useless carbon fiber in places where it doesn't enhance performance, (like center dash panal trim etc.) if it is going into the car, at least use it for a component large enough to make a significant weight savings, hood, outside door panals, roof etc. Carbon fiber trim panels are for kids, the Z06 should be a serious performance car. Everything that goes into the design and construction should be there as a performance enhancement. That will keep the price down to a reasonable level, and do what the Z06 is supposed to do, be the gold standard to beat as was the 01 and 02 Z06s.
Well, that's my 2 cents worth on that.:eyerole

vettepilot...... with my flamesuit on

I totally agree with you. Although I have to admit, I like the carbon fiber trim panels if they're integrated tastefully. I'm not sure I can admit that they are useless when it comes to weight reduction. If enough of it is used on the interior, it can all add up to a pretty significant weight savings. This is one of the reasons why some models of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc., utilize a high amount of it in their interiors.

Now...with that said, in the interest of the Corvette, the more CF that is used, the higher the price of the car. The Corvette has always had the reputation for being "the most bang for the buck." Since I believe the goal of the C6 Z06 is to shove a massive egg up the Ford GTs' and European exotics' tail pipes at half the cost, it would make the most sense to use the most CF where it counts - as you say.

Again, my personal prediction: more extensive use of carbon fiber in exterior body panels of the C6 Z06 (not just the hood as seen in the 2004 RPO Z16 Z06 - and leave the carbon fiber trim up to the aftermarket. Now with that said, just imagine if Corvette Engineering brought a Z06 to market manufactured out of this:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57892



I would still, however, absolutely LOVE to see Corvette engineering bring a Chrysler ME Four-Twelve-like-Corvette to market with EXTENSIVE use of carbon fiber, kevlar and ceramic / graphite composites.

Corvette has always been about high-tech and GM has the money behind it to utilize these technologies. Companies like Ferrari and Aston Martin can do it and they are but a pimple on the butt of automotive production as compared to an industry giant like GM.

The Corvette, in my own personal opinion, has always been evolutionary...not necessarily earth-shattering. Sometimes too restrained and too refined. I'd like to see Corvette Engineering/Design come out with something totally wild, and off the wall that truly breaks away from "Corvette Tradition." Something exotic that doesn't make people say just "oh cooooool", or "wow", but more like....."hollllllllllllllyyyyyyyy ****!!!!"

If Chrysler can do it, and Ford can bring the GT to market, GM can do the same with an exotic Corvette.

That's why, when I started to hear rumors of "the Blue Devil" circulating around, I got really excited. Hopefully, we'll find out in the future, that they weren't just rumors. Fingers and toes crossed.

Flame suit on.