Chevrolet Corvette C6 (2005-2013)

Chevrolet Corvette C6

Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Version jaune à Nice. Voitures vehicules luxe transports automobiles

Chevrolet Corvette C6 (Z06) in Nice (France)

The Chevrolet Corvette (C6) is the sixth generation of the Corvette sports car produced by General Motors’ Chevrolet division for the 2005 to 2013 model years. It is the first Corvette with exposed headlights since the 1962 model. Production variants include the Z06, ZR1, Grand Sport and 427 Convertible. Racing variants include the C6.R, a car in the American Le Mans Series GT1 championship and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Pro.

It replaced the C5 and was replaced by the C7.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 at Arkhangelskoye Estate (Moscow Region, Russia)

The Corvette C6 features a new body with exposed headlights, revised suspension geometry, a larger interior, a 5,967 cc (6.0 L) V8 engine and a higher level of refinement. It is 130 mm shorter than the C5, but the wheelbase has been increased by 30 mm. It is also 25 mm narrower. The new LS2 engine has a power output of 400 HP (298 kW) at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 542 N·m at 4,400 rpm. Like the C5, the Corvette C6’s suspension consisted of unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fibreglass leaf springs and optional magnetorheological dampers.

With an automatic transmission, the Corvette has a fuel consumption of 15.7 litres per 100 km in the city and 9.4 litres per 100 km on the motorway; the manual transmission model has a fuel consumption of 14.7 litres per 100 km in the city and 9.0 litres per 100 km on the motorway.

The Corvette’s manual transmission is equipped with Computer Aided Gear Shifting (CAGS), requiring the driver to shift directly from 1st gear to 4th gear when running at lower revs. This boosts the EPA’s fuel economy rating, allowing the buyer to avoid paying the ‘gasoline’ tax. GM badges were added to the car in 2006.

Starting with the 2008 model year, the Corvette received a new engine, the LS3. With displacement increased to 6,162 cm³ (6.2 L), power was increased to 430 HP (321 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 575 N·m of torque at 4,600 rpm, or 436 HP (325 kW) and 580 N·m with the optional vacuum-operated exhaust valve.

The previous Tremec T56 transmission on manual Corvettes was replaced by a new version, the TR6060, in the 2008 model year. Manual Corvette models now had improved shift linkage; the automatic model was configured for faster gear changes and (according to Chevrolet) accelerated from 0 to 97 km/h in 4.0 seconds, faster than any other production automatic Corvette model. Starting in 2008, the steering was revised for better feel and the wheels were updated to a new five-spoke design. The last C6 Corvette, a white 427 convertible, was completed on 28 February 2013.

Z06

The Z06 was equipped with the largest small-block engine ever produced, a new 7,011 cc (7.0 L) V8 engine called the LS7. The engine produces 512 HP at 6,300 rpm and 637 N m of torque at 4,800 rpm. The LS7 is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever produced by General Motors. In addition to its increased displacement, the Corvette Z06 features a dry sump and titanium alloy connecting rods. The Z06’s frame is constructed of aluminium, making it 62 kg lighter than the standard steel structure.

Other weight-saving measures such as composite balsa wood/carbon fibre floors and a magnesium alloy engine cradle were also used. The bodywork of the Z06 differs from the standard Corvette in its larger front and rear wings and an intake scoop on the front bumper.

The front wings are made of carbon fibre and the rear wings contain components that help cool the rear brakes. The Z06 weighed 1,420 kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 3.8 kg/kW, with fuel consumption of 16 litres per 100 km in the city and 9.8 litres per 100 km on the motorway. It was the official car of the 2006 Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 race.

For the 2011 model year, the Z06 Carbon Edition was introduced, featuring several components from the high-performance ZR1, such as ceramic brakes, active carbon suspension and aerodynamic carbon fibre bodywork elements. Only 500 cars were planned for production, and the actual numbers were even lower, at around 250. These 250 models had the same level of equipment but did not have the carbon bonnet. In 2012 and 2013, these options could be ordered via the Z07 trim on the Z06.

ZR1

The ZR1 is the high-performance variant of the Z06, whose development was revealed in advance by several automotive magazines and websites, based on rumours that General Motors was developing a production version of the C6 that was more powerful than the Z06, under the internal code name Blue Devil. The car originally featured a supercharged LS9 engine with over 639 HP (470 kW).

GM began to disclose details of the Blue Devil project in April 2007. It was confirmed that the production model would have between 600 and 700 HP (447 and 522 kW); however, its displacement would not exceed the 7 litres of the Z0614. The name ZR1 was initially used on development cars in 1971, and then as a model name, the ZR-1 was the high-end variant of the Corvette C4. General Motors officially unveiled the Corvette ZR1 on 19 December.

GM confirmed a supercharged 6.2-litre LS9 V8 engine with 647 HP (476 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 819 N·m of torque at 3,800 rpm. A test of the ZR1 on the German motorway revealed a top speed of 309 km/h, although the manufacturer claims that the car is designed to reach speeds of up to 330 km/h.

Carbon fibre is used on the roof, bonnet, wings, front splitter and rocker mouldings; the bonnet and wings are painted, while the roof and splitter are simply coated with a transparent layer, retaining their original black colour. A polycarbonate window is placed in the centre of the bonnet, allowing the engine’s intercooler to be seen from the outside.

The wheels were the largest ever fitted to a production Corvette, with both front and rear wheels increasing in size and diameter compared to the Z06. Carbon-ceramic brakes are included. The brake calipers are painted blue, as are the engine intercooler trim and ZR1 logo. Magnetic Selective Ride Control was also included on the car, with sensors to automatically adjust stiffness levels based on road conditions and vehicle movement.