Chevrolet Corvette C6

The Chevrolet Corvette C6 is the sixth and current generation of Chevrolet Corvettes. It was introduced in 2005, and according to several issues of Motor Trend magazine, will be superseded by the C7 Corvette in the 2012 calendar year. Fact|date=July 2008

Model details

Compared to the fifth generation, the "C6" gets an overhaul of the suspension geometry, all new bodywork with exposed headlamps (for the first time since 1962), a larger passenger compartment, a larger 6.0 L engine, and a much higher level of refinement. Overall, it is 5.1 inches (13 cm) shorter than the C5, but its wheelbase has increased by 1.2 inches (3 cm). It is also one inch (2.5 cm) narrower. Chevrolet hopes the new design will attract buyers of comparable European sports cars like the Porsche 911, but some purists dislike the new styling. The 6.0 L LS2 V8 produces 400 hp (298 kW) at 6000 rpm and 400 lb·ft (542 N·m) of torque at 4400 rpm.

With an automatic transmission, the Corvette achieves 18/26 mpg (city/highway)Fact|date=July 2008, and the manual transmission with 18/28 mpg. The Corvette's manual transmission is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Shifting (CAGS), obligating the driver to shift from 1st directly to 4th when operating at lower RPMs. While this boosts the EPA's derived fuel economy, thus allowing the buyer to avoid paying the "gas guzzler" tax, it is an open secret that more than a few savvy sixth-generation Corvette owners with manual transmissions simply have a $20 aftermarket part (CAGS eliminator) fitted to their vehicle to re-enable a normal 1-2-3-4-5-6 sequence at any RPM.Fact|date=July 2008

For the 2008 model, the Corvette receives a new engine, the LS3. With displacement increased to 6.2 liters, power is increased to Convert|430|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and convert|424|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on of torque, or Convert|436|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and convert|428|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on with the optional vacuum actuated valve exhaust. [Citation
title = LS3 Overview - GM Powertrain
url = http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2008/Whats%20New/Gen%20IV/Gen%20IV%20Car/08%20LS3.doc] The manual transmission also has improved shift linkage along with the replacement of the previous T56 transmission with a new TR6060, while the automatic is set up for quicker shifts giving the C6 Automatic a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 secondsFact|date=July 2008, faster than any other production automatic Corvette. The steering has also been tightened up for much improved feel. The wheels were also updated to a new five-spoke design. [ [http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=120575 First Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette ] ]

Z06

The Corvette Z06 arrived as a 2006 model in the third quarter of 2005. It has a 7.0 L (7,008 cc/427.6 in³) version of the Small-Block engine codenamed "LS7". The Z06 achieves convert|16|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on/convert|26|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on (city/highway) Fact|date=July 2008, and the output is 505 hp (376 kW). Dave Hill, the chief engineer for the C6 Corvette, says that it is a much further departure from the standard Corvettes, and more like the C6.R that GM is building for the American Le Mans SeriesFact|date=July 2008. In the summer of 2005, GM and Corvette Racing driver Jan Magnussen brought the new Z06 to the Nürburgring in Germany. Magnussen drove the Z06 to a time of 7:42.99Fact|date=July 2008. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds in their March 2007 comparison test. [http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/download/0703_hc_and_os_powertrain_ss.pdf]

In addition to the larger engine, the Corvette Z06 has a dry sump oiling system, and Connecting rods made out of titanium alloy.

The primary structural element of the sixth-generation Z06 is aluminum instead of steel as on the non-Z06 cars. The hydroformed aluminum frame remains dimensionally identical to its steel brethren but are significantly lighter. The front fenders are made of carbon fiber to reduce weight, while wider rear fenders allow for the wider tires necessary to deal with the engine's increased power. The Z06 officially weighs 3132 lb (1421 kg), giving it a weight to power ratio of 6.2 lb/hp (3.8 kg/kW)Fact|date=July 2008.

ZR1

A Corvette variant was first reported by several print and online publications, based on rumor from General Motors was developing a production version of the Corvette above the Z06 level, under the internal code name "Blue Devil" (named after GM CEO Rick Wagoner's alma mater, Duke University)Fact|date=July 2008. The car was originally rumored to feature a supercharged LS9 engine producing more than Convert|650|hp|kW|0|abbr=on with prices reported to exceed $100,000 USD. [ [http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/FREE/60208005&SearchID=73242362597113 Is Blue Devil Alive? Chevy Performance Might Be Heating Up] article from AutoWeek]

The October 12, 2006 issue of "AutoWeek" published photos by photographer Chris Doane of a C6 with special auto-manufacturer-issued license plates on a Z06 with a hood bulge, widely thought to confirm the presence of a supercharger on the "Blue Devil". Other names attached to the project included "Corvette SS" [http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061016/FREE/310160002&SearchID=73265024805840 Auto Week prototype Blue Devil photos] ] or "Corvette Z07". [http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2007/112_0704_chevrolet_corvette_z07/ Z07 coming in late 2008] article by Motor Trend] In February 2007, a worker at a Michigan shipping company posted pictures online of a powertrain development mule that was being shipped to Germany, believed to be part of the "Blue Devil" program. The car had manufacturer's license plates, carbon-ceramic brakes, enlarged fender vents, a hood bulge, and an engine with a positive-displacement supercharger in the valley between the cylinder banks and a water-to-air intercooler atop it. The photographer was fired and may face civil or criminal legal action, pending a GM investigation.Fact|date=December 2007

On April 13, 2007, GM confirmed the existence of the "Blue Devil" project in an interview with "Car and Driver". Power levels were confirmed to be between 600 and 700 horsepower (447 to 521 kW), but contrary to prior rumors of a supercharged 6.2 liter engine, the engine was only confirmed to have greater displacement than the 7.0 liter LS7 in the Z06. [http://www.caranddriver.com/dailyautoinsider/12814/2009-corvette-blue-devil-confirmed-and-in-final-tuning-phase.html 2009 Corvette Blue Devil confirmed and in final tuning phase - Daily Auto Insider] article by Car and Driver] "Motor Trend" confirmed the official name for the production "Blue Devil", resurrecting the old ZR1 nameplate. The ZR1 had originally been used on developmental cars in 1971, and again as ZR-1 as the top performance model on the C4 Corvette. [ [http://blogs.motortrend.com/6215473/car-news/corvette-blue-devil-finally-gets-a-name-zr1/index.html Corvette Blue Devil (finally) gets a name - ZR1] ]

On December 19, 2007, General Motors officially revealed the 2009 Corvette ZR1, giving a press release and photographs of the car. GM confirmed a supercharged 6.2 L LS9 V8 producing convert|620|hp|abbr=on. Performance figures were not released, but GM acknowledged that the car was capable of convert|200|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, making it the fastest production Corvette ever.Fact|date=July 2008

Carbon fiber is used on the roof, hood, fenders, front splitter, and rocker moldings; the hood and fenders are painted over, while the roof and splitter are merely covered in a clear-coat, retaining their black color. A polycarbonate window is placed in the center of the hood, allowing the engine intercooler to be seen from the exterior.

The wheels are the largest ever placed on a production Corvette, with both front and rear wheels increasing in size and diameter over the Corvette Z06. Carbon-ceramic brakes are included. The brake calipers are painted blue, as are the engine intercooler trim and the ZR1 logo. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is also included on the car, with sensors to automatically adjust stiffness levels based on road conditions and vehicle movement. [citenews | url = http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-corvette-zr1.html#more-5673 | title = 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 unveiled | publisher = Leftlanenews.com | date = 2007-12-19 | accessdate = 2007-12-19]

C6.R

The C6.R was a replacement for the C5-R, built by Pratt & Miller, and unveiled for its first competition at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race of the American Le Mans Series. It came in second and third in its class, just behind the new Aston Martin DBR9 racecar. It was put on display a week later at the New York International Auto Show next to the Z06.

In 2006, the Corvette C6.R won both American Le Mans GT1 Championships: Teams and Manufacturers. On March 17, 2007 it won the GT1 class in the 12 Hours of Sebring.

For Le Mans 2007, four C6.R's were on the entry list, the two Corvette Racing entries joined by single entries from the Luc Alphand Aventures and PSI-Motorsport teams.

The heart of the C6.R, its LS7.R motor, was crowned as Global Motorsport Engine of the Year by a jury of 50 race engine engineers on the Professional Motorsport World Expo 2006 in Cologne, Germany.

Z06-R

Entered in the FIA GT3 European Championship series as a GT3 class car, the Z06-R is a modified production Z06. Changes were necessary to make the car endurance race ready. These include a stripped interior, full rollcage for safety, center-locking wheels, carbon fiber doors, rear deck spoiler and front splitter. The engine and drivetrain are stock but the former is mapped for 98 octane race fuel. The result is a 7200 rpm redline,Fact|date=July 2008 200 higher than stock and 10 extra horsepower. The car is not road legal.

Eight Z06-R were constructed by Callaway Competition GmbH [Callaway Cars#C15 .28FIA Corvette GT3.29] in Leingarten, Germany, for the 2006 season. The French team Riverside campaigned a three car team. In an effort to achieve parity among the disparate participants of the GT3 Series, three forms of handicapping were applied by the FIA regulators; additional vehicle weight, ride height, and tire compound selection. The Corvettes were raced with all three handicaps employedFact|date=December 2007 [ [http://www.vetteweb.com/events/vemp_0701_fia_gt3_corvette_racing/index.html 2006 Oscherleben Race] ] . The Z06R won the FIA GT3 European Championship in its second year of entry. [ [http://www.corvettemotorsport.com/dubai2.htm Victory in Dubai] ] Z06-Rs are also campaigned in national championships.

Production notes

References

ee also

* Chevrolet Corvette
* Nordschleife fastest lap times