ZR1 and Z06 humbling Callaway C6
2009-01-21 06:47
Callaway is a hallowed name in the world of Corvette. For $6 000 less than a Z06 (and nearly $25 000 less than a ZR1) you can have comparable performance from its new, supercharged C6 conversion.
Vehicle Specs
|
Manufacturer
|
GM
|
|
Model
|
Callaway Corvette
|
|
Engine
|
6.2l, supercharged V8
|
|
Power
|
426kW @ 6 200r/min
|
|
Torque
|
690Nm @ 4 750r/min
|
|
Transmission
|
Six speed manual or auto
|
|
Zero To Hundred
|
Sub 4 sec
|
|
Top Speed
|
328km/h
|
Reeves Callaway is offering Corvette owners a compelling alternative to the $100 000 ZR1.
For more than 20 years the Connecticut based company bearing his name has made Reeves a lionised figure in the Corvette community.
Specialising in turbo (primarily) and supercharged performance solutions for GM’s Corvette products, Callaway has a history of producing such high-quality work, its twin-turbo kit for the C4 Corvette in the late 80s became an authentic dealer option retaining full GM warrantee.
Slaying the ZR1 with a base C6 V8
For 2009 the big news from Callaway is a supercharged, 426kW C6 kit; which nestles nicely between the 7l, 371kW Z06 and range topping, 470kW ZR1 in Corvette’s model line-up.
Releasing additional power from the standard 6.2l V8 was achieved by fitting an Eaton supercharger partnered by a modified air inlet system, high-flow fuel injectors (valve-gear remains pushrod actuated, unbelievably) and an air-to-liquid intercooled to keep the 6.2l V8 cool under the hood.
Performance is up to the usual Callaway standard; which means the Callaway C6 is unwittingly fast. It should run 0-100km/h in under four seconds on a good surface, touch the quarter mile in 11.2 seconds and top out at 328km/h.
Stylish, even sensible?
Leaning on Callaway’s German production facility and procurement contacts, an Eibach sourced Multi-Pro coil-over suspension with 10-way adjustability is available for those Corvette C6 owners keen on cornering performance. Slowing the Callaway car safely from high speeds is an optional ceramic, six-piston front (380mm disc) and four-piston rear (355mm disc) brake system.
Aesthetically the C6 converted car features a bonnet borrowed from Callaway’s C16, Corvette based, limited edition car; which only shares a roof panel with the original GM product.
Emissions legal in 50 US states and retailing at a premium of $18 900 over a standard 320kW C6 (base price $50 000), the Callaway car should give potential ZR1 owners plenty to ponder about concerning the rationale of their $100 000 purchase. Even Z06 owners might be second-guessing themselves.
