2006 Z06 Chevrolet Corvette
Wednesday, February 15th, 2006
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.
Chevrolet introduced the 2006 Corvette Z06 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet and General Motors. It is comprised of an unprecedented level of capability and technology, making it one of the greatest performance values on the market. And with an unmistakably muscular appearance, the ’06 Z06 has a visual attitude that always looks ready to demonstrate Corvette’s winning attitude to any challenger around the globe.
“The new 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 new Z06 achieves 500 horsepower in an approximately 3130-pound (1419.7 kg) package and is expected to deliver 0-60 performance of less than 4 seconds, eclipse the quarter-mile in less than 12 seconds and deliver a top speed of more than 190 mph on a race track.
Developed alongside the Corvette C6R 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 Z06 models, from the original 1963 model to the 2001-04 editions, incorporated suspension and/or engine upgrades that complemented existing Corvette systems. Not surprisingly, the specs for the ’06 read like the blueprint of a champion. They include:
- LS7 7.0-liter/427-cubic-inch Gen IV V-8 with lightweight reciprocating components
- 500 horsepower (373 kw) at6200 rpm
- 475 lb.-ft. of torque (657 Nm) at 4800 rpm
- 7000 rpm redline
- Titanium connecting rods and intake valves
- Dry-sump engine lubrication system
- Engine hand-built at GM’s new Performance Build Center
- Aluminum body structure with one-piece hydroformed perimeter rails frame and magnesium front cradle
- Fixed roof design optimizes body rigidity and aerodynamics
- Carbon-fiber composite front fenders and front wheelhouses
- Unique front fascia incorporating a larger grille, cold-air scoop and lower air splitter
- Wide-body rear fenders and a unique rear spoiler incorporated with the CHMSL
- Huge 14-inch (355-mm) cross-drilled front disc brakes with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340-mm) cross-drilled rear rotors with four-piston calipers
- 18 x 9.5-inch front wheels with 275/35ZR18 tires and 19 x 12-inch rear wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires
- 3-inch-diameter exhaust with bi-mode mufflers and larger polished stainless steel tips
- Engine, transmission and differential oil coolers; and steering cooler
- Rear-mounted battery to improve weight distribution
- Unique interior features including revised gauge cluster and lightweight two-tone seats with more aggressive bolsters
- Curb weight of 3130 pounds / 1419.7 kg (estimated)
- 3 inches (76.2 mm) wider than other Corvette models
- Vehicle developed simultaneously with C6-R racecar.
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