The Chevrolet Corvette (C6) is the sixth generation of the Corvette sports car that was produced by Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 2005 to 2013 model years. It is the first Corvette with exposed headlamps (as opposed to hidden headlamps) since the 1962 model. Production variants include the Z06, ZR1, Grand Sport, and 427 Convertible. Racing variants include the C6.R, an American Le Mans Series GT1 championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Pro winner.
Overview
The Corvette C6 featured new bodywork with exposed headlamps, revised suspension geometry, a larger passenger compartment, a larger V8 engine and a higher level of refinement. It is 5.1 inches (13 cm) shorter than the C5, but the wheelbase was increased by 1.2 inches (3 cm). It is also one inch (2.5 cm) narrower. The new LS2 engine has a power output of at 6,000 rpm and of torque at 4,400 rpm. Like the C5, the Corvette C6's suspension consisted of independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fiberglass mono-leaf springs and optional magnetorheological dampers.
With an automatic transmission, the Corvette achieves / mpg (city/highway) of fuel economy; the manual-transmission model gets / mpg of fuel economy. The Corvette's manual transmission is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Shifting (CAGS), obligating the driver to shift from 1st gear directly to the 4th gear when operating at lower RPM. This boosts the EPA's derived fuel economy thus allowing the buyer to avoid paying the "gas guzzler" tax. GM badges were added to the car in 2006.
Beginning with the 2008 model year, the Corvette received a new engine, the LS3. With displacement increased to , power was increased to at 6,500 rpm and of torque at 4,600 rpm, or and with the optional vacuum actuated valve exhaust. The previous Tremec T56 transmission on manual Corvettes was replaced with a new version, the TR6060, in the 2008 model year. Manual Corvette models now had improved shift linkage; the automatic model was set up for quicker shifts, and (according to Chevrolet) accelerates from 0 to in 4.0 seconds, faster than any other production automatic Corvette model. From 2008 onward, the steering was revised for improved feel and the wheels were updated to a new five-spoke design. The last Corvette C6, a white 427 convertible, was completed on February 28, 2013.
Z06
The Z06 arrived for the 2006 model year as a homologation vehicle in the third quarter of 2005 and is the lightest of all Corvette models. The Z06 was equipped with the largest-displacement small-block engine ever produced, a new V8 engine codenamed the LS7. The engine has a power output of at 6,300 rpm and at 4,800 rpm of torque. Until the introduction of LT6 engine in October 2021, LS7 was the most powerful production naturally aspirated engine made by General Motors. In addition to the larger displacement 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 over the standard steel frame. Other weight saving measures such as balsa wood/carbon fiber composite floors and a magnesium alloy engine cradle were used. The Z06's body differentiates itself from the standard Corvette with its larger front and rear fenders and an intake inlet scoop on the front bumper. The front fenders are constructed with carbon fiber and the rear fenders contain ducts to aid in cooling the rear brakes. The Z06 weighed , giving it a weight to power ratio of , allowing it to achieve a fuel economy of in the city and on the highway. The Z06 was the official pace car for both the 2006 Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 race. Car and Driver recorded a 0- acceleration time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.7 seconds at in October 2005. The Z06 contains the following enhancements over the standard C6 Corvette:
Hand-built LS7 V8 with dry sump oiling system
Aluminum chassis with fixed roof
Larger/stiffer anti-sway bars
Stiffer springs and shocks
Larger rear spoiler and front splitter
Transmission cooler
Unique front fascia with intake inlet
Wider carbon fiber front and fiberglass rear fenders
Functional front and rear brake ducts for added brake system cooling
Unique light weight forged aluminum 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels; painted finish standard and chromed finish optional Wider 275/35ZR18 tires in the front and wider 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear Larger 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, including cross-drilled front rotors and rear rotors Optional 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ trim packages.