C7 Z06 Performance Numbers Released
Detroit
- The 2015 Corvette Z06 was recently put through its paces by GM's test
division. The numbers are very impressive for a factory stocker.
The time tested benchmarks of hot rodding, 0-60 mph and trap times through the quarter were used in GM's press release.
The
new "Z" will do 0-60 mph in 2.94 seconds and fly through the quarter in
10.94 seconds. The big surprise here is that these numbers were
attained with the new 8 speed automatic tranny.
The 7
speed manual can do 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and the quarter in 11.2
seconds. In this case humans will have to take a back seat to
vehicles equipped with super computers. To
put this in proper perspective a stock C6 "Z" if properly driven can do
0-60 in 3.4 seconds and the quarter in 11.4 seconds. A .2 and .4
second improvement is not a quantum leap but it is a step in the right
direction of muscle car insanity. The
Vettes traditional rival, the $200,000 Porsche 911 Turbo beats the "Z'
by a hair with a 0-60 time of 2.6mph and a quarter mile time of 10.90
seconds.
GM Recalls C6 Problem with the low-beam headlights
Recall: 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette Customer Satisfaction Program repair: 2008-2013
GM
has issued a recall notice for all 2005 thru 2007 Corvettes. This
recall is part of a campaign which affects 111,889 U.S.
vehicles. The recall was issued to remedy a serious problem with
the low-beam headlights. According to GM “When the engine is
warm, the underhood electrical center housing could expand, causing the
headlamp low-beam relay control circuit wire to bend slightly.” The
problem arises when the circuit breaks which will disable the low-beam
headlights.
The
problem also affects 2008-2013 Corvettes. GM stated that those vehicles
will be repaired through a Customer Satisfaction Program, rather than a
recall.
NEW "Z" CAR A REALITY Detroit
- GM introduced the 2015 Corvette Z06
at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 13th.
The new
Z will deliver supercar levels of performance via a blown
625 hp small block, chassis refinements and ebhanced aerodynamics.
The
Corvette 2015 Z06 will enhance
Chevy's overall lineup, that will include the addition of the
Corvette Stingray Convertible, Camaro Z/28 and SS sedan. The new ZO6 should hit the show room floors by the fall of 2014.
- Alan Batey, senior vice president, Global Chevrolet said in a recent interview,“Chevrolet
is America’s favorite performance car brand, and for 2014 we are going
to offer enthusiasts more choices than ever before”. “No other
manufacturer will be able to match the breath of performance cars from
Chevrolet.”
The
2014 Corvette Stingray has won the North American
Car of the Year award. The award was chosen based on the input of 48 automotive journalists from the United
States and Canada. They voted to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of
the year based on factors including innovation, design, safety,
handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
C7 Retail pricing and
performance data released
DETROIT – The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe will have a
suggested starting retail price of $51,995 for the coupe and $56,995 for the roadster.
Chris Perry, VP, Chevrolet marketing, stated “The
2014 Corvette Stingray perfectly embodies Chevrolet’s mission to
deliver more than expected for our customers.” “The Corvette Stingray
delivers a combination of performance, design and technology that very
few manufacturers can match, and none can even come close for $52,000.”
As per the latest GM tests the C7 equipped with the
Z51 Performance Package will yield the following track numbers:
0-60 MPH:
3.8 seconds
¼ mile acceleration: 12
seconds @ 119 mph
Braking distance from 60 to 0 MPH: 107 feet
Maximum lateral acceleration: 1.03 G
Not too shabby for a new 455 horse base entry. Imagine what this car
will do with an anticipated 200 horse upgrade via the ZO6 package.
60th Anniversary Special Edition Rag Top
Chevrolet
has announced the release of the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible
Collector Edition. The anniversary Corvette will
be the
fastest convertible ever produced by GM. The 60th Anniversary Package
will be available on 2013 Corvette models.
According to Chris Perry, VP, Global Marketing
and Strategy for Chevrolet “The
2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th
Anniversary and the final year for the current ‘C6’ generation,”. “We
couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than
bringing back one of the most-coveted combinations in the brand’s
history – the Corvette convertible and a 427 cubic-inch engine.”
The
60th Anniversary convertible edition will make their public debut at
the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Jan 21.
The
car should be available at Chevrolet dealers early this summer.
The
Corvette 427 Convertible is a Z06 and ZR1 hybrid. The new
package
intent is to send the C6 model off with a bang and to create
the
fastest convertible in Corvette’s history.
2012 Upgrades Report
The
2012 Corvette may be the last of its kind for the C6 generation.
The C6 will be going out with a performance bang.
The
following are some of the performance upgrade codes that will be
available for what may be the last C6.
(PDE) ZR1 High Performance Package
Includes
(RUV) Black cup style lightweight 19″ front and 20″ rear wheels, (XFH)
Michelin PS Cup tires and (MH3) 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission.
(Z07) Z06 Ultimate Performance
Package
Upgraded
from its initial 2011 release and renamed the “Ultimate Performance
Package”, the Z07 package now includes Performance Traction Management
(PTM) which was previously exclusive to the ZR1.
In
addition to Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, Z07 includes (XFH) Michelin
PS Cup tires (optimized for warm, dry weather performance with reduced
tread wear rating), (RUV) Black cup style lightweight aluminum wheels
and (F55) Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
(F55)
Magnetic Selective Ride Control for Z06
(F55)
Magnetic Selective Ride Control is now available with Z06 and includes
Performance Traction Management (PTM), (RUV) Black cup style
lightweight aluminum wheels and (XFG) Michelin PS2 tires.
2011 ZO6 Gets Best Rating From Consumer Reports
Consumer
Reports has never been a Corvette fan. Over the years they
have
taken every opportunity to dissuade their audience from purchasing a
Corvette. The tide has turned in a big way.
The 2011
Corvette ZO6 scored 92 out of 100 in the reports extensive
tests.
This ranked the ZO6 as one of the ten best cars to own in 2011.
Now that's a spectacular turnaround to say the least.
Learn
How to Drive Compliments of GM
In a last ditch effort to bolster sagging Corvette sales GM announced
that it will offer free tuition to a driving school with all
new
Corvette purchase made by February 28th. This is the same
driving school offer that was reserved for new ZR1 owners.
New Corvette owners will be able to choose between the Bondurant
school in Phoenix or the Ron Fellows driving school in Las Vegas. The
offer includes two days of training at either facility. Travel and
lodging are not included. ZR1 owners will get a third day of school on
GM.
New
Carbon Edition ZO6
Available
The Z06 is now offered in a limited "carbon edition" package. The
carbonized Z's will
sport a set of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, Brembo carbon-ceramic
brakes, black 20-spoke wheels (19" front, 20" rear) and a Magnetic
Selective Ride Control damping system to soften the ride.
Chevrolet
will build 500 Z06 Carbon edition cars that should be available by
late-summer of 2011.
The Carbon Z's will be
available in either Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue. The Carbon's
exterior will features blacked out headlamp surrounds and mirrors.
Other body improvements will include a ZR1 spoiler, a high profile ZR1
carbon fiber hood without the silly "peek-a-boo" lexan window, carbon
fiber rockers and front splitter. Suspension
improvements will make the carbon Vette about 3 seconds faster on a
roundy
round race track like Laguna.
The Carbon Vettes
interior will include some needed upgrades as well. The current Vettes
interior is a disgrace, sorry if that offends you but we tell it like
we see it. Refinements will include new suede leather and lots more
carbon
fiber accents. The steering wheel, dash and seats will remain, courtesy
of Chevy Impala. GM will also offer a Z07 performance package that will
include all of the mechanical and chassis upgrades of the Carbon Vette.
The price of admission for a fully loaded Carbon Z will be in the
ninety thousand dollar range.
A Nice to Have Second Car
First and foremost Corvette
owners are car guy's that really appreciate
an out of the ordinary piece of engineering even if the car
in question was not born in Bowling Green. How about a carbon fiber
wonder that sports a dual turbo 2000 hp V8? 0 to 60mph comes in at a
tad under 1.5 seconds and has a top speed of 300 mph. 6.6 second
Quarter mile times will make you an instant contender at any sanctioned
racing event. The monster we are talking about is being produced under
the name of Dagger GT.
The price of admission is a paltry $450K.
Exclusive Build Your Own
Engine Option to be Offered on 2011 ZO6 and ZR1 Corvettes
DETROIT
– For enthusiasts who want to be personally involved in
creating their Corvette, Chevrolet’s new Corvette Engine Build
Experience allows them to
literally build the engine for their new car.
Corvette customers who order a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 can choose an
option to help assemble their cars’ LS7 or LS9 engines at General
Motors’ Performance Build Center (PBC) in Wixom, Mich.
The self engine build option will cost about $5,800. The option does
not include travel arrangements to and from Detroit.A Chevrolet
Rep.will schedule the engine build and coordinate the customer’s
activities at the Performance Build Center.
The customer builds the new engine under the supervision of and support
from skilled technicians. After the engine is assembled, a personalized
nameplate is added to the engine next to the builder’s name. The engine
is then sent to the Corvette assembly plant for installation in the
customer’s car.
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky —
The Chevrolet Corvette was named the official state sports car of
Kentucky
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said the fact that the Corvette plant
has been located in Bowling Green since 1981 was the impetus for the
legislation. "As home to the Corvette plant in Bowling Green,
Kentuckians have long considered the Corvette to be Kentucky's sports
car," Beshear said in a statement.
The official bill was signed into law on April 26 during a ceremony
that took place at the Bowling Green plant.
Corvettes Recalled for
Steering Problem
General Motors is recalling over forty thousand Chevrolet Corvettes
equipped with the tilt and telescoping steering column because a signal
interruption in the column could cause the brakes to apply. The recall
affects cars built between March 2004 and January 2006.
Repeated movement of the steering column a signal interruption within
the column. This will cause the message, "Service Active Handling
System" to appear in the driver information center,which will cause the
brakes to apply to one or more of the wheels. This could cause the
vehicle to pull to the right or left.
"If the driver does not respond to the change in vehicle movement, a
crash could occur," said the automaker. According to the National
Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the recall was set to start
April 30.
"Fuel
leaks may prompt
recall for 2004 Chevrolet Corvette"
An estimated 33,000 2004 Chevrolet Corvettes are being
investigated by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for possible fuel
leaks.
NHTSA said in its defects investigations summary. "The 04 Corvette is
equipped with two fuel tanks. In 12 of the reports, a fuel tank was
either replaced or identified as the source of the leak."
In other documentation, NHTSA reports no crashes, injuries or
fatalities linked to the complaints.
"C6 Roof Panel Recall"
General Motors is recalling over 22,000 2005-2007 model year Corvettes
with removable roofs. The recall was issued due to a problem with the
adhesive between the roof panel and the frame. The failed adhesive
could cause roof panel separation while the car is in motion.
"If there is a complete separation, the roof panel may detach from the
vehicle," according to the NHTSA. "If this were to occur while the
vehicle was being driven, it could strike a following vehicle and cause
injury and/or property damage."
Dealers will install a new design
roof panel free of charge to correct
the problem.
Repent The End is Near
Our sources at GM tell us that the Corvette will remain a viable
production platform into the near future.
GM may halt production of its high horsepower entries, ZO6 and ZR1
after the 2011 run. GM may target the Corvette as a starting point for
political correctness. The Corvette brand may take the bullet to allow
power upgrades to the Camaro and Caddy. Oh well it was nice
while it lasted.
Corvette
Chief Retires
Tom Wallace, Corvette Chief at GM, will be retiring from GM in November
of this year. His retirement was announced
during a ceremony honoring Corvette history
at the Peterson Museum.
While no reasons were given for Wallaces's retirement, there is
speculation that he may have been at odds with GM over the postponement
of the long awaited C7. Wallace may have been unwilling to commit to
the C7's postponed launch.
The C7 was originally set for a 2012 model-year release, it has been
pushed back to 2014. Wallace had a keen sence for performance-car
marketing and a real love for the Corvette brand. His sudden departure
will be a blow to
GM's efforts in rebuilding the company.
Political Rides
John McCain's first car was a 1958 Corvette! I wonder if he still has
it. His current ride is a Caddy CTS
Obama's
first car was a Ford Granada.
He now gets driven around in a bullet proof limo.
More
troubling news
from Europe
Mercedes will announce the release of a new grocery getter that will
out power the current version of the Corvette. The soon to be released
beastie is an E class sedan that has been massaged by AMG. It will
sport a supercharged 6.3 liter v8 that will have more than 500 horses
on tap.
Come on GM wake up.
550HP Nissan GT-R,
a ZO6/ZR1 Beater
Nissan's newly released super car boasts 550 HP a 0-60mph time of 3.3
seconds and tops out at 193mph. You can get one for about $71k. Sorry
GM you should have seen this coming. This new rice burner has a 3.8
liter twin turbo V6 under the hood. Want more bad news?
Nissan plans to release a more powerfully version of the GT-R in the
near future.
"She's ugly but she sure can cook"
New ZR-1 Sells for
$1MILL. at Barrett Jackson
The first ZR-1 off the line sold for $1 million dollars at the Barrett
Jackson auction. This was a Jay Leno charity deal for the United Way.
2008 Corvette Makes
Car & Driver's 10 Best Cars List
Car and Driver
If it seems like Corvette is always making Car and Driver's annual 10
Best Cars List, that's because it has earned a spot on the coveted list
for seven years straight. Calling the Corvette a poster car for
continual development, the new 2008 Corvette boasts 22 significant
updates over last year's entry. Car and Driver's staff focuses more on
the improvements they say are dynamic to the driving experience. While
they liked the upgrades to interior, especially the wrap-around leather
option, it's the upgrades to the steering, manual shifter and the
clutch that won them over for the seventh
straight year.
Oh and let's not forget the fact that Corvette's mid-cycle upgrade
included the new 6.2 liter LS3 engine that expands the horsepower
envelope from 400 to 430. Everyone loves more ponies and the 2008
Corvette delivers. Car and Driver calls the Corvette one of the world's
best high performance buys.
Here is the full list of cars that made Car and Driver's 10 Best List
for 2008:
BMW 3- Series
Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Malibu
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Mazda MX-5
Mazdaspeed 3
Porsche Boxter/Cayman
Volkswagen GTI
Mobil 1 and the Corvette celebrates 15th anniversary
ExxonMobil and GM are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the
relationship between the companies flagship Mobil 1 synthetic engine
oil and Corvette.
Since 1992, Mobil 1 has been the factory recommended lubricant for all
Corvettes manufactured by General Motors.
More than 490,000 Corvette vehicles have left the production line
filled with Mobil 1 engine oil.
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