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Chevrolet Corvette C6
The Chevrolet Corvette C6 is the sixth generation of Chevrolet Corvette sports cars. Introduced in 2005, it is the first Corvette to contain exposed headlamps since the C1 generation, which was produced until 1962.
Many variants of, and option packages for, the C6 have been made by GM and other companies. Among them are the C6.R, an American Le Mans Series GT1 championship winner; and the ZR1, the most powerful production Corvette to date.
The C6 remains the current generation of Corvettes; according to the magazine Motor Trend, it will not be superseded by a "C7" until the 2012 calendar year.
Base model
Compared to the fifth generation, the "C6" gets an overhaul of the suspension geometry, all new bodywork with exposed headlamps (for the first time since 1962), a larger passenger compartment, a larger 6.0 L (364 cu in; 5967 cc) engine, and a much higher level of refinement. Overall, it is 5.1 inches (13 cm) shorter than the C5, but its wheelbase has increased by 1.2 inches (3 cm). It is also one inch (2.5 cm) narrower. The 6.0 L LS2 V8 produces 400 hp (298 kW) at 6000 rpm and 400 lb·ft (542 N·m) of torque at 4400 rpm.
With an automatic transmission, the Corvette achieves 15/25 mpg (city/highway); the manual-transmission model gets 16/26 mpg. The Corvette's manual transmission is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Shifting (CAGS), obligating the driver to shift from 1st directly to 4th when operating at lower RPMs. This boosts the EPA's derived fuel economy thus allowing the buyer to avoid paying the "gas guzzler" tax.
For the 2006 model year, the GM badges were added to the car.
For the 2008 model, the Corvette received a new engine, the LS3. With displacement increased to 6.2 liters (376 cu in; 6162 cc) , power was increased to 430 hp (321 kW) at 5900 rpm and 424 lb·ft (575 N·m) of torque at 4600 rpm, or 436 hp (325 kW) and 428 lb·ft (580 N·m) with the optional vacuum actuated valve exhaust. The previous Tremec T56 transmission on manual Corvettes was replaced with a new version, the TR6060, in model year 2008. Manual Corvettes have improved shift linkage; the automatic model is set up for quicker shifts, and (according to Chevrolet) goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, faster than any other production automatic Corvette. According to automotive review website New Car Test Drive, the Corvette's 0 to 60 time is actually 4.2 seconds, faster than both the Porsche 911 Carrera and the Jaguar XK8. From 2008 onward, steering was revised for improved feel and the wheels were updated to a new five-spoke design.
Variants
C6.R
The C6.R was a replacement for the C5-R, built by Pratt & Miller, and unveiled for its first competition at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race of the American Le Mans Series. It came in second and third in its class, just behind the new Aston Martin DBR9 racecar. It was put on display a week later at the New York International Auto Show next to the Z06.
In 2006, the Corvette C6.R won both American Le Mans GT1 Championships: Teams and Manufacturers. On March 17, 2007 it won the GT1 class in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
For Le Mans 2007, four C6.R's were on the entry list, the two Corvette Racing entries joined by single entries from the Luc Alphand Aventures and PSI-Motorsport teams.
The heart of the C6.R, its LS7.R motor, was crowned as Global Motorsport Engine of the Year by a jury of 50 race engine engineers on the Professional Motorsport World Expo 2006 in Cologne, Germany.
Z06
The Corvette Z06 arrived as a 2006 model in the third quarter of 2005. It has a 7.0 L (7,008 cc/427.6 cu in) version of the Small-Block engine codenamed LS7. The Z06 achieves a fuel economy of 15 mpg-US (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg-imp) in the city and 24 mpg-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg-imp) on the highway, and the output is 505 hp (376 kW). Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds with a 11.8 seconds at 122 1/4 mile test in their March 2007 comparison test.
In addition to the larger engine, the Corvette Z06 has a dry sump oiling system, and connecting rods made out of titanium alloy. The frame of the Z06 is constructed from aluminum, saving 136 pounds over the standard steel frame. Other weight saving measures such as balsa wood/carbon fiber composite floors and a magnesium alloy engine cradle are also fitted to the Z06 version.
The Z06 officially weighs 3132 lb (1421 kg), giving it a weight to power ratio of 6.2 lb/hp (3.8 kg/kW).
ZR1
The ZR1 is a Corvette variant that was first reported by several print and online publications, based on rumors that General Motors was developing a production version of the Corvette above the Z06 level under the internal code name Blue Devil (named after GM CEO Rick Wagoner's alma mater, Duke University). The car was originally rumored to feature a supercharged LS9 engine producing more than 650 hp (485 kW) with prices reported to exceed $100,000 USD.
The October 12, 2006 issue of AutoWeek published photos by photographer Chris Doane of a C6 with special auto-manufacturer-issued license plates on a Z06 with a hood bulge, widely thought to confirm the presence of a supercharger on the Blue Devil. Other names attached to the project included Corvette SS and Corvette Z07. In February 2007, a worker at a Michigan shipping company posted pictures online of a powertrain development mule that was being shipped to Germany, believed to be part of the Blue Devil program. The car had manufacturer's license plates, carbon-ceramic brakes, enlarged fender vents, a hood bulge, and an engine with a positive-displacement supercharger in the valley between the cylinder banks and a water-to-air intercooler atop it. The photographer was fired and may face civil or criminal legal action, pending a GM investigation.
GM began to release details on the Blue Devil project in April 2007, and revealed the ZR1 in December. The company confirmed the existence of the project in an interview with Car and Driver on April 13. Power levels were confirmed to be between 600 and 700 horsepower (447 and 522 kW), but contrary to prior rumors of a supercharged 6.2 liter engine, the engine was only confirmed to have greater displacement than the 7.0 liter LS7 in the Z06. Motor Trend confirmed the official name for the production Blue Devil, resurrecting the old ZR1 nameplate. The ZR1 had originally been used on developmental cars in 1971, and again as ZR-1 as the top performance model on the C4 Corvette. General Motors officially revealed the 2009 Corvette ZR1 on December 19, giving a press release and photographs of the car. GM confirmed a supercharged 6.2 L LS9 V8 producing 638 hp (476 kW). Performance figures were not released, but GM acknowledged that the car was capable of 200 mph (320 km/h), making it the fastest production Corvette ever.
Carbon fiber is used on the roof, hood, fenders, front splitter, and rocker moldings; the hood and fenders are painted over, while the roof and splitter are merely covered in a clear-coat, retaining their black color. A polycarbonate window is placed in the center of the hood, allowing the engine intercooler to be seen from the exterior. The wheels are the largest ever placed on a production Corvette, with both front and rear wheels increasing in size and diameter over the Corvette Z06. Carbon-ceramic brakes are included. The brake calipers are painted blue, as are the engine intercooler trim and the ZR1 logo. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is also included on the car, with sensors to automatically adjust stiffness levels based on road conditions and vehicle movement.
Z06-R
Entered in the FIA GT3 European Championship series as a GT3 class car, the Z06-R is a modified production Z06. Changes were necessary to make the car endurance race ready. These include a stripped interior, full rollcage for safety, center-locking wheels, carbon fiber doors, rear deck spoiler and front splitter. The engine and drivetrain are stock but the former is mapped for 98 octane race fuel. The result is a 7200 rpm redline, 200 higher than stock and 10 extra horsepower. The car is not road legal.
Eight Z06-R were constructed by Callaway Competition GmbH in Leingarten, Germany, for the 2006 season. The French team Riverside campaigned a three car team. In an effort to achieve parity among the disparate participants of the GT3 Series, three forms of handicapping were applied by the FIA regulators: additional vehicle weight, ride height, and tire compound selection. The Corvettes were raced with all three handicaps employed. The Z06R won the FIA GT3 European Championship in its second year of entry. Z06-Rs are also campaigned in national championships.
Z03
The Z03 is a concept model based on Z06, built by min mors Design. It includes extensive use of carbon fiber, and a choice of 3 engines that range from 500 to 750 bhp (373 to 559 kW); the most powerful choice utilizes a Tial/Garret turbocharger with liquid cooled ceramic bearings.
The company planned to produce 100 Z03.
Stingray Concept
The Stingray Concept is set to appear in the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, in which it will take the form of character Sideswipe in robot mode. The vehicle, with styling based on the 1963 and 1969 Stingray, was unveiled in the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.
2009 GT1 Championship Edition
The GT1 Championship Edition is an option package for the C6 that was unveiled in the 2009 New York Auto Show. It celebrates the Corvette C6.R's entry into the GT1 class of ALMS in 2009. Its Based on Corvette Coupe 4LT, Convertible 4LT or Z06, it comes with same yellow body hue that adorns the C6.R or "41U" black, along with a "Jake" graphic that spans the Championship edition's hood. Chrome wheels and a body-colored spoiler pulled from the ZR1 join a "carbon pattern" engine cover, while inside a leather-wrapped ebony interior contains "GT1" embroidered on the seats, an instrument panel and a center console armrest. Non-Z06 models also include a Z51 Performance Package and NPP Performance exhaust.
General Motors made 100 units of each model (600 total), and would be available this spring, each carrying a $7,840 premium over standard models.
Grand Sport (2009-)
It is an equipment option package that replaced the previous Z51 package. It includes the following:
* Wider front and rear fenders – including specific front fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
* Z06 front splitter and rear spoiler
* Functional brake ducts and extra coolingv
* Unique 18-inch front and 19-inch wheels; painted finish standard and chrome finish optional
* Large 275/35ZR18 tires in front and 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
* Z06 brakes, including 355 mm (14.0 in) front rotors with 6-piston calipers and 340 mm (13 in) rear rotors with 4-piston calipers
* Specific manual transmission gear ratios
* Specific rear axle ratio on automatic-equipped models
The Grand Sport can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages.
Other features include the Z06 brake package featuring 14 in (355.6 mm) front and 13.4 in (340.4 mm) brakes with 6/4-piston front/rear calipers. Manual models also include a dry sump system from the Z06 and ZR1, and launch control. The upgrade costs $6,000US.
The car was unveiled at the 12th annunal C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash, held at the National Corvette Museum.
Last "Cars" Post on Wordpress:
Title: $12 parking lots, dude
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:19:46 +0000
Author: Jessica
In class in Phoenix, AZ
“Hey, do you know if it’s cool to park in the $12 parking lot?” Guy asked.
“You parked in a $12 parking lot?!” Girl asked.
“Ha, yeah,” Guy laughed. “Honestly, dude, I was afraid of my car being jacked.”
“Are you serious?!” Girl asked.
“Dude, you, like, don’t even know,” Guy said. “People will just walk by and have to steal something from it.”
More on: http://eavesdropped.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/12-parking-lots-dude/
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