Corvette Racing has been formidable for decades. Moreover, the cars are available to civilians.
In the never ending marketing endurance race, appearance packages are a key advantage. Enter the Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition that just debuted at SEMA this afternoon. It’s offered in Corvette Racing’s signature yellow color – or black – with matching exterior and interior accents. Only 650 will be built – 500 for the U.S. market- all with the Z07 Performance Package with carbon ceramic brakes, and a specially serialized vehicle identification number.
The donor car is Corvette’s Z06 with its LT4 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine – SAE-certified at 650 horsepower (485 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque (881 Nm) at 3,600 rpm – making it the most powerful production car ever from General Motors and one of the most powerful production cars available in the United States. It is dollar for dollar the best performance buy out there.
There are differences between the race car and production Corvette Z06. For example, the C7.R carries over the powertrain for the C6.R, as the GT rules limit the maximum displacement to 5.5-liters, and prohibit forced induction. By comparison, the new Z06 boasts a supercharged engine.
The suspension on the C7.R is modified to accommodate wider racing tires and larger brakes, again part of the GT regulations. For aerodynamics one major difference is the shift away from U.S. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, ducts on the C7.R. There are now openings on each of the rear quarter panels, above the brake ducts, which will draw air to help cool the race car’s transaxle and differential.
One of the main results of the C7.R’s aero tweaking is making the rear wing a more-significant part of the car. A larger radiator inlet has the added benefit of generating smoother airflow over the rear wing and making its use more efficient to the handling and stability of the race car at higher speeds
The optional Z07 package allows for:
• 0-60 mph acceleration in 2.95 seconds with the eight-speed automatic and 3.2 seconds with the seven-speed manual transmission
• Quarter-mile times of 10.95 seconds at 127 mph with the eight-speed and 11.2 seconds at 127 mph with the seven-speed transmission a
• Lateral acceleration of 1.2 g
• 60-0 mph braking in only 99.6 feet – the best of any production car tested by General Motors.
The Z07 package has adjustable front and rear aero components for aerodynamic downforce tweaks, Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires for enhanced grip, and Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors that improve braking performance and contribute to greater handling through reduced un-sprung weight.
Along with the new C7.R Edition, the 2016 Corvette Z06 is offered with three all-new color-themed design packages: Twilight Blue, Spice Red and Jet Black Suede. Each offers custom-tailored appearances that elevate the Z06’s presence on the street or track, while features such as an available front parking camera and power-cinching latch for the coupe’s hatchback or convertible’s trunk enhance convenience – and add an extra measure of protection.
