The 2015 C7 Corvette Z06 is the talk of the 2014 North American International Auto Show, with its C6 ZR1-eclipsing power figures, GT racecar aerodynamics, all blended with a subtle hint of attainability. Some wonder if the Corvette can continue to ascend to new levels of racing capability with a conservatively estimated 620 horsepower and 635 foot-pounds of torque, but power isn’t the only component of performance.
Imagine what the Corvette team could do if they took a closer look at the shocks of the 2015 Corvette Z06, which is shared with the more pedestrian Stingray. Or if they found ways to improve on the brakes, wheels and tires, which are all carryover parts from the C6 Corvette ZR1. Thirdly, there’s always more lightness to be added somewhere. Think of such a vehicle as the equivalent to the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro family’s Z/28; a raw, barely street-legal machine built solely for the purpose of road course racing and time attacks.
For instance, the Z/28 uses racecar-grade DSSV shocks, the only street-legal vehicle to do so outside of the Aston Martin One-77. The Z/28 will also debut Pirelli Trofeo R cheater-slick tires before Lamborghini does so, mounted 305-wide on all four corners (the largest front mounted tires for a car on the market), and utilizes minimalist aluminum wheels to hold them in place. These are all examples of what the Corvette team could use to enhance the Z06’s track prowess. A good example of entertaining that very thought was the C6 Corvette Z06X SEMA concept car from a few years back.
When it comes down to feasibility, Corvette Product Manager Harlan Charles told Car and Driver that a C7 Z06X is “something we could see in the future. We’ve got a lot of ideas, but nothing to show today, unfortunately.” This comes after Charles told us that the ZR1 is currently not on the table, but just because there aren’t plans for a ZR1, doesn’t mean there won’t be a faster C7 Corvette.
Comments
Well like I said it is what GM did not say that you need to listen too.
What you will get is a car faster and even better handling than what you expected.
Keep in mind they said no ZR1 but they did not say no higher performance Corvette.
The Z/28 was even a suprise to most inside GM so we will see the same thing here too. Just give them a year and enjoy the the Z06 now.
There were reasons the Automatic tranny and lift off roof were added tot he Z06 as it is not the top performance track car and will have a bigger bother.
Keep in mind the L88 name has not been used yet and revield to us and it was registered at the same time at the LT4 and LT1. Could the small block 427 becoming back in a new DI form in a street legal track car?
It really doesn’t matter what GM does from this day forward with the Z28, ZO-6 , ZR-1, etc, etc, etc. They have knock 90% of all corvette buyers out of the market once they produced any Corvette over $72,000. In 2014 the corvette has now entered the era where only the rich and famous can afford them or is for those who have more money than brains.
Luxury is not a value proposition.
In other words, you can’t make a sports car exclusive, by virtue of it’s performance, by making it affordable to the masses.
BTW, a luxury is something that’s not strictly needed (say a 620hp LT4 engine), but makes a product distinctive in the market.