Preview: 2006 Corvette Z06

[Ming]

2006 Corvette Z06
The fastest Corvette ever takes its cues from the racetrack
By Barry Kluczyk
gmhightechperformance.com

Technology transfer. It's the supposed payoff in production vehicles for a factory-backed racing program. The idea is that competition is education, and that a season's worth of full-throttle racing packs in a few years' worth of conventional research and development.

Audi's Quattro system, for example, had a racing pedigree that turned into a market advantage almost 20 years before the widespread adoption of all-wheel drive systems.

The Chevy Beretta GTU, on the other hand, which was based on the GTU road racing class in which the car competed, incorporated little more than decal adhesion technology to the production model.

The Corvette, however, has always been a technology trendsetter. Under GM's umbrella, Chevy's flagship sports car has often led the way for widespread adoption of emerging technology. Think antilock brakes, port fuel injection and stability control systems--the Vette has taken these marvels to the common man's daily driver.

The new, 2006 Corvette Z06 promises to be another trendsetter, delivering performance which equals--and in many respects, betters--that of the world's preeminent supercars. Not surprisingly, most of its world-beating specifications are derived from the successful racing program that helped the factory C5R team win four championships in five seasons.

With 500 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque from a 7.0-liter (427 cubic inches) all-aluminum version of the new Gen IV small-block, Chevy says the new Z06 will rip to 60 mph in less than four seconds, warp through the quarter-mile in the 11-second range and top out at nearly 200 mph.

But the Z06 delivers more--much more--than astounding acceleration. The engine is wrapped in a tightly woven, lightweight package that is designed to back up the power with road course-eating handling. In other words, this is a back-alley bruiser that can dance.

The Z06 certainly looks the bruiser image. It has an aggressive stance that is accented in front by a larger grille opening and cold-air scoop for the engine. And while the front fenders look stock, they're made from carbon fiber.

At the rear, the fenders flare around wider rubber, adding a full three inches to the car's width. And like the previous Z06, there are rear brake cooling ducts, but more prominent. There also is an integrated rear spoiler and a fixed roof panel--no targa top, no convertible--that visually accents the roof's "blisters."

Positively humongous 18 by 9.5-inch front wheels and 19 by 12-inch rear wheels, and the requisite performance rubber, fill out the fenders. The wheels are racing-style 10-spoke designs. In all, the Z06's appearance is muscular and intimidating--as if the car were communicating a message of "get out of my way or I'll move you myself."

It also shows enough muscle at the edges to prove it's not bluffing.

MEET THE LS7
The Z06's performance is derived from a beefed-up 7.0 liter Gen IV small-block called the LS7. It is filled with racing technology, including five-axis-milled CNC-ported cylinder heads and a dry-sump oiling system. We've seen the heads in person: the intake runners are straight and wide enough to view the top of the valves. They are finely crafted pieces of art that push tremendous amounts of air past titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves.

Speaking of valves, they're huge too, measuring 2.20 inches on the intake side and 1.61 inches on the exhaust side. To accommodate the width of the valves, the valve seats are siamesed. Actuating the valves is a hydraulic roller cam with an impressive 0.591-inch of lift.

FULL Review Here: http://gmhightechperformance.com/features/0505htp_z06/

[TorchRedCorvette]

Awesome performance.However, too similar in appearance to the Vette Coupe. Sounds like ZR-1 all over again...People will start putting little ducts on their base C-6,and there will be knockoff-styled wheels available...Sure it has a bit wider fenders,but on some of the colors they will be unoticed. When I see a ZO6 now,I KNOW it is a ZO6... I also like the hardtop styling of the C-5 more than the hatchback bubble.Too 1980's for me...The Saturn Sky has more of the old Stingray feel to it.
I think LUTZ and Co could have done much better.

[Darc Requiem]

Originally Posted by TorchRedCorvette

Awesome performance.However, too similar in appearance to the Vette Coupe. Sounds like ZR-1 all over again...People will start putting little ducts on their base C-6,and there will be knockoff-styled wheels available...Sure it has a bit wider fenders,but on some of the colors they will be unoticed. When I see a ZO6 now,I KNOW it is a ZO6... I also like the hardtop styling of the C-5 more than the hatchback bubble.Too 1980's for me...The Saturn Sky has more of the old Stingray feel to it.
I think LUTZ and Co could have done much better.

Well I don't think its quite the same as the ZR-1. The ZR-1 had less physical differences between it and the base model and it retailed for over 70k in its last year of production. It was more than 30k more than the base vette. For the Z06 to retail for equal or less to the ZR-1 twelve years later is feat in its self.