QUOTE
ARTICLE TEXT:
Publisher's Note: The following information was originally embargoed until 12:01AM EST, January 10th, but seeing as we received our February issues of Car and Driver and Road & Track on December 30th with the new 2006 Corvette ZO6 and Cadillac STS prominently featured on the covers, the embargo was officially "blown" as far as we're concerned. We understand the pecking order in this process, with the "buff" books receiving favorable treatment at every turn, but in the future there should be one embargo date for the magazines and one for everyone else, so that everyone knows what the deal is right up front. That said, these are two sensational cars from General Motors. - PMD
CORVETTE ZO6
GM will take the wraps off of the most kick-ass Corvette in history at the Detroit Auto Show next week, and let's get right to the point, shall we? The new Corvette Z06 is the best high-performance sports car value in the world, period. Chevrolet engineers and designers took lessons learned from their ultra-successful C5-R Corvette Racing program and applied them directly to the new ZO6, and the results are spectacular. With 500HP in an approximately 3130-pound (1419.7 kg) package, the ZO6 delivers 0-60 performance of less than 4 seconds, will cover the quarter-mile in the 11's, and deliver a top speed in excess of 190 mph. It is the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet and GM.
The new Z06 was developed in conjunction with the all-new Corvette C6-R ALMS racer, and the engineers ended up with a totally unique vehicle that has its own powertrain, body structure and chassis system, which are distinct from other Corvette models.
Most impressive is the new "LS7" 7.0-liter/427-cubic-inch Gen IV V-8 with lightweight reciprocating components that was directly lifted from the all-conquering C5-R. This small-block 427, which will be hand built at GM Powertrain's new Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, delivers 500 horsepower at 6200 rpm, 475 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm, has an 11.0:1 compression ratio and a 7000 rpm redline, and features titanium connecting rods and intake valves, and a dry-sump engine lubrication system.
The ZO6 also features major modifications from the stock C6, including aluminum body structure with one-piece hydroformed perimeter frame rails and a magnesium front cradle, a fastback fixed roof design to optimize body rigidity and aerodynamics, and carbon-fiber composite front fenders and front wheelhouses. The ZO6 also has a unique front fascia incorporating a larger grille, cold-air scoop and lower air splitter with "Gurney lips" along the sides, larger vertical air vents behind the wheels, wide-body rear fenders with brake scoops and a unique rear spoiler. The package of aero tweaks delivers a Cd of .31.
Helping stop the ZO6 are 14-inch cross-drilled front disc brakes with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch cross-drilled rear rotors with four-piston calipers (the calipers are painted bright red). The ZO6 also has specific, ten-spoke, 18 x 9.5-inch front wheels with 275/35ZR18 tires and 19 x 12-inch rear wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires, a 3-inch-diameter exhaust with bi-mode mufflers and larger polished stainless steel tips, engine, transmission and differential oil coolers; and steering cooler, and a rear-mounted battery to improve weight distribution.
The interior has some unique touches including a revised gauge cluster, smaller diameter steering wheel and lightweight two-tone seats with more aggressive bolsters. All-in-all, a spectacular looking car, and we can't wait to drive it. Look for the ZO6 to arrive in showrooms around Labor Day
omg so fucking sexy.. for under $70,000..
