Z06 Convertible Confirmed?

[redvet]

Just read this in my just received, hot off the press, official newsletter of the North American International Auto Show (detailing the January, 2005 show): "Chevrolet unveils to the world the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible and its new Monte Carlo coupe."

Misprint, mistake, or slip?

 

[Remo]

Paul,

Just a guess on my part but I'll bet what they ment was GM would unvail the C6 Convertible as well as the Z06 (two separate models).

Remo:cool

 

[lov-n-life]

Paul,

Just a guess on my part but I'll bet what they ment was GM would unvail the C6 Convertible as well as the Z06 (two separate models).

Remo:cool

i.e. should have read like this:

"Chevrolet unveils to the world the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Convertible, and its new Monte Carlo coupe."

However, why would the C6 convertible be unveiled at the 2005 auto show when the vert is already out in the public (Car and Driver tested a C6 coupe and a C6 Convertible a couple months ago)??? Hmmm... perhaps there is something to the original statement! Here's a hypothesis, bear with me as I'm conjouring this as I write.
The "Blue Devil" is rumored at 500HP, the Blue Devil is NOT the next Z06. The current (C5) Z06 is 405HP, the base C6 is 400HP. Z06 would then have to fall between C6 and "Blue Devil". How do you make the Z06 a "better" car without out gunning a 6-digit super Corvette? Answer, you add 50 ponies and a drop top option, preferably with a retractible hard top to maintain rigidity and safety on the track, and an obvious and distinct look from a standard Corvette on the streat. The equation gives a slightly higher performance car than the base Corvette, broadens the market for the Z06 to people like me who want absolute performance but also enjoy top down cruising but can only afford one Corvette, while at the same time leaving the niche market for the "Blue Devil" open for people who want something truly unique that is the absolute top end performance car (previously Z06) from Corvette.
Just my random thoughts... but it's a crazy world, and you just never know!

 

[lov-n-life]

Another thought!!!

i.e. should have read like this:

"Chevrolet unveils to the world the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Convertible, and its new Monte Carlo coupe."

However, why would the C6 convertible be unveiled at the 2005 auto show when the vert is already out in the public (Car and Driver tested a C6 coupe and a C6 Convertible a couple months ago)??? Hmmm... perhaps there is something to the original statement! Here's a hypothesis, bear with me as I'm conjouring this as I write.
The "Blue Devil" is rumored at 500HP, the Blue Devil is NOT the next Z06. The current (C5) Z06 is 405HP, the base C6 is 400HP. Z06 would then have to fall between C6 and "Blue Devil". How do you make the Z06 a "better" car without out gunning a 6-digit super Corvette? Answer, you add 50 ponies and a drop top option, preferably with a retractible hard top to maintain rigidity and safety on the track, and an obvious and distinct look from a standard Corvette on the streat. The equation gives a slightly higher performance car than the base Corvette, broadens the market for the Z06 to people like me who want absolute performance but also enjoy top down cruising but can only afford one Corvette, while at the same time leaving the niche market for the "Blue Devil" open for people who want something truly unique that is the absolute top end performance car (previously Z06) from Corvette.
Just my random thoughts... but it's a crazy world, and you just never know!

Ok, so I have to play devil's advocate with myself....
Another hypothesis, rather than the Z06 being a completly different car, it could be a package option, LS7 engine, tighter suspension, 6-speed only, etc, however as an option package it would be available on either the coupe or the convertible with the "Blue Devil" taking the current Z06's place as a distinctly different Corvette body style...hmmm... things to ponder while at work!

 

[Remo]

L-N-L,

You have some pretty good ideas there and you maybe correct - time will tell. The reason I took a guess on the unvieling of the "convertible" was because I thought the convertibles would not be actually at the dealers until January. What the heck it's all just quess work at this point. But I like the way you think.

Remo:cool

 

[lov-n-life]

Scares me!

L-N-L,

You have some pretty good ideas there and you maybe correct - time will tell. The reason I took a guess on the unvieling of the "convertible" was because I thought the convertibles would not be actually at the dealers until January. What the heck it's all just quess work at this point. But I like the way you think.

Remo:cool

Sometimes they way I think just plain scares me...
There's the unambitious way of thinking,
Thinking inside the box
Thinking outside the box
...and then there's me... I can't even see the box!!!

 

[vettepilot]

Sometimes they way I think just plain scares me...
There's the unambitious way of thinking,
Thinking inside the box
Thinking outside the box
...and then there's me... I can't even see the box!!!

What box??????? There's a box? We don't need no stinkin boxes....:L :L :L

Although I don't think the Z06 will come in a Vert format, or folding hardtop. Why??? Weight, overall stiffness, and did I mention weight. The Z06, current and future was not supposed to be just a modded C5 / C6, it's a very purpose built car. It's purpose is to be a showroom stock ultra-high performance Corvette that pricewise falls about the middle of the convertible price range. That puts it in the reach for the average Corvette owner's income bracket. It also reduces the size of the market window to those serious enthusiasts that prefer function over form so to speak.
I think Chevy knows that the Corvette owner that wants more performance in a Coupe or Vert is willing to put money into after market items that result in more HP, and/or better handling than what can be had from the factory in the Coupe or Vert. The third option, Z06, does what the Coupe /Vert owners can't quite accomplish in the Coupe or Vert, mainly weight reduction. This not only improves the HPeight ratio, but reduces sprung weight for high speed handling. That was the basic idea in the C5 Z06, and it worked. So I don't think they will stray far from that formula as they continue to develop the C6 Z06. The Blue Devil is another story, and one that should prove very interesting when we see what market share that vehicle will be targeted to.
Hmmmmm... Ferrarri, Ford GT40, Porsche Carrea GT.


vettepilot

 

[invinceablevett]

lovnlife.....I like the way you think also !!!!....:cool I can't live without a convertible in my garage.

 

[BigRed]

I personally don't like the Z06. I think the stripped down, non-removable top, no creature comforts idea sucks.

I do like the 400+ Hp, wheels, and logo's.

IF they made a Z06 Convertable with the 500+ hp I would buy one without even looking at the sticker. It would be mine and only mine!!

And leave the power options in it!!

 

[vettepilot]

I personally don't like the Z06. I think the stripped down, non-removable top, no creature comforts idea sucks.

I do like the 400+ Hp, wheels, and logo's.

IF they made a Z06 Convertable with the 500+ hp I would buy one without even looking at the sticker. It would be mine and only mine!!

And leave the power options in it!!

All the power options are in the C5 Z06 with the exception of the following:

Telescoping steering wheel

Power passenger seat

Other things not in the Z06 from the factory are:

Fog Lamps

CD changer was not an option, but the connector is there under the right front floor panal

Tire pressure warning sensors

The Z06 does have the automatic climate control, power windows, Bose System with CD player, HUD, power mirrors, and the optional memory package with electrochromatic mirrors was also available. What more could one ask for in a car that came from the factory with 405 HP/400 lbs TQ, great suspension set-up, darn grippy tires, a titanium low restriction cat back exhaust and lots more. The 2001 didn't have the same list of standard equipment, but it's still an awesome car right off the showroom floor.

vettepilot

 

[Terry Holtz]

I have to have a convertible.... but I would love the new zo6 engine under the hood.

 

[smook]

Re: C6-Z06,



I believe the targa roof is fixed the first year. In the second year it will be removeable.


-Bill