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NCM eNews - June 13, 2005

Chevy announces Corvette Z06 0-60 mph time and base price

The ultimate Corvette—the 2006 Corvette Z06—is posting numbers at the track and on the window sticker that will get attention. Chevrolet has announced that the fastest Corvette ever—the 505-horsepower Corvette Z06—will achieve 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds while still in first gear, and pricing will start at $65,800, including destination and freight charges.

“Corvette is a global icon for world-class sports car performance at an incredible value, and offering the fastest production Corvette ever at this price is another testament to that reputation,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “When you compare the Corvette Z06 performance stats to other supercars, you see numerous examples where you’re getting better performance with Corvette for one-third the sticker price of the competition.”

Developed alongside the Corvette C6.R race car, the Corvette Z06 uses advanced lightweight materials typically found only in the most exotic supercars. Use of weight-saving materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and magnesium give the 3,132-pound car a highly competitive weight-to-power ratio of 6.2 pounds per horsepower.

“The new Corvette Z06 is the dividend from competing so successfully in endurance racing,” said Dave Hill, Corvette’s chief engineer. “It combines the strong attributes of the new, sixth-generation Corvette with the spirit, technology and know-how from the race program to form an American supercar with outstanding credentials.” The highly anticipated Corvette Z06, which will be available in the fourth quarter of 2005, completes the sixth-generation portfolio, which also includes the 400-hp Corvette coupe and convertible.

Previous Corvette Z06 models, from the original 1963 model to the 2001-04 editions, incorporated suspension and engine upgrades that complemented existing Corvette systems. The 2006 Corvette Z06 is more differentiated from the standard Corvette than any other Z06 in history with every design element serving a performance function.

Corvette Z06 features include:

• LS7 7.0-liter/427-cubic-inch Gen IV V-8 engine with lightweight reciprocating components

• 505 horsepower (373 kw) @ 6300 rpm

• 470 lb.-ft. of torque (657 Nm) @ 4800 rpm

• 6-speed manual transmission

• 7000 rpm redline

• Aluminum body structure with one-piece hydroformed perimeter rails frame and magnesium engine cradle

• Carbon-fiber composite front fenders, front wheelhouses and floors

• Dry-sump engine lubrication system

• Hand-built engine at GM’s new Performance Build Center

• Unique design styling that includes a larger grille, cold-air scoop and lower air splitter, wide-body front and rear fenders and a taller rear spoiler

• Engine, transmission and differential oil coolers and steering cooler

For all its race-inspired functionality, the Corvette Z06 also is designed to be refined as a daily driver with a sophisticated and comfortable interior and generous cargo volume. The Z06 will be offered in Machine Silver Metallic, Victory Red, Daytona Sunset Orange, Le Mans Blue Metallic, Velocity Yellow tintcoat and Black exterior colors.

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http://www.greywinds.com

but it still is a hatchback. FRC rules.

try finding one for under 80K for at least a year after they come out. i also hear the C6 is buggy buggy buggy. to be expected with new model designs.

Agreed. That's why I bought an 02 Z06 instead of an 01 Z06. The first year car had too many outstanding issues that are not cheap to fix. Those problems appear to be resolved in the 02 model. It screwed up my racing budget paying the extra money but it is worth it.

I don't see a C6 Z06 in my future for quite some time if ever. I'm surprised they didn't build it as an FRC.

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http://www.greywinds.com

I thought I read somewhere that they had gone with the hatchback design in lieu of the notch back of the current Z06 to reduce aerodynamic drag. I believe they were shooting for the 200mph barrier. I don't think it made it but I think it did get in excess of 190mph.

so Graham, the 20 extra horses had no influence on your decision?

i think i have read where the stock C6 is rated @ 180mph. seems logical to continue that body design, but at that price and all the independent design work that went into the new Z06 one would think they could have tweaked the body some. i read an article that compared the nose styling to some ferrari standard design.

anyone care to venture a guess on the longevity of the C6? 4years minimum. 6 max.. given GM's current financials it could go 14 years.

The C5 Z06 is not as aerodynamic as the C4 ZR1. The ZR1 is about 3mph faster for top speed. And all coupe C4's are hatchbacks. They just really need a rear spoiler for high speeds since the back end starts to lift around 140mph. So the 06 Z06 will be the first Vette to top a 95 ZR1.

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http://www.greywinds.com

least i be judged a fool. 133 smooth as a baby's behind. some how i muddled a shift. into 6th or down to 4th i don't know. i won't be trying again anytime soon.

20hp isn't significant using the base numbers the LS6 puts out. So that really wasn't much of a concern, but it's nice. 01 was the 1st model year and it did have bugs. GM got it fixed for the 02 models. Although some very early 02 models still had some of those problems. By mid-year it was ironed out. So I looked for a mid-year or later build.

These improvements sold me:

* The ring problem and oil consumption fixed.
* Shock revisions
* HUD
* Sodium cooled valves
* More aggressive cam
* Exhaust
* Clutch slave cylinder
* Clutch
* 20hp

Add all those improvements up and reliability goes up and so does performance.

02-04 remain almost identical. 04 has slightly improved shock valving and A/F ratios.

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http://www.greywinds.com

i have so much to learn. what is an A/F Ratio? whoops, air to fuel?

Yes.

Yup. They tweaked it and got a tiny bit more power out of it and smoothed the idle up. They were also very careful to not say anything about horsepower. So yours is still badged 405hp. But it may actually be 408hp. I can't beleive you can't feel that 3hp difference

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http://www.greywinds.com