Corvette Z06 gets carbon treatment
2010-03-11 07:36
Each of the 500 Z06 Carbon Covettes gets its own removable series door number. Good for trackdays, even better for going to the shop.
Vehicle Specs
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Manufacturer
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Chevrolet
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Model
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Corvette
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Engine
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7l V8
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Power
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375kW
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If you love your American sportscars stupidly fast and naturally aspirated, you’ll love the new Z06 Carbon edition.
Despite the supercharged ZR1 being the fastest Corvette on sale, there are some fans of the seminal American sportscar who prefer their Corvettes with naturally aspirated power and authentically track fettled handling.
To ensure these customers are catered for accordingly, GM has now released the Z06 Carbon.
Only 500 of these cars will be released to market and it’s no coincidence the new Z06 Carbon has been launched now, as 2010 marks 50 years since Corvette’s debut at Le Mans – when John Fitch and Briggs Cunningham won their class and finished eighth overall.
ZR1 bonnet looks the business. Carbon-ceramic brakes should stand up well to trackday abuse.
Less weight, better brakes
Although this latest Corvette derivative is powered by a stock 7l V8 Z06 engine (worth 375kW) it benefits from a collection of the ZR1’s brake and damping technology. In terms of detail, GM’s added those awesome Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes to all four corners and a magnetic ride active damping system.
The Z06 Carbon will be available in two base colours (Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue), with the only perceptible styling change being the new carbon-fibre bonnet (identical in profile to the ZR1). The Z06’s front splitter, headlamp pockets, wheels and rocker panels are all finished in contrasting black.
In case you forget exactly what you are driving, there’s a not too subtle (removable) red ‘Carbon’ decal and actual car number on the door just to remind you.
Despite GM curiously refusing to divulge exactly how much weight the new carbon-fibre bonnet saves, they are at liberty to admit the Z06 Carbon is three second a lap quicker around Laguna Seca than a stock Z06.
The lap time gain is primarily due to the Z06 Carbon’s upgraded brakes and adaptive dampers – the latter obviously benefitting ride quality in daily-driving too.
