Difference between revisions of "Chevrolet Corvette C6"

The '''Chevrolet Corvette C6''' is the sixth and current generation of [[Chevrolet Corvette]]s.  It was introduced in 2005,  and according to several issues of ''[[Motor Trend]]'' magazine, will be superseded by the C7 Corvette in the 2012 calendar year.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

The Z06 officially weighs 3132 lb (1421 kg), giving it a weight to power ratio of 6.2 [[Pound (mass)|lb]]/hp (3.8 [[Kilogram|kg]]/kW).{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

A Corvette variant was first reported by several print and online publications, based on rumor from 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]]).{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The car was originally rumored to feature a [[supercharger|supercharged]] [[GM LS engine|LS9]] engine producing more than {{Convert|650|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} with prices reported to exceed $100,000 USD.<ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/FREE/60208005&SearchID=73242362597113 Is Blue Devil Alive? Chevy Performance Might Be Heating Up] article from AutoWeek</ref>

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''<ref name="OctBlueDevil">[http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061016/FREE/310160002&SearchID=73265024805840 Auto Week prototype Blue Devil photos]</ref> or ''Corvette Z07''.<ref name="MotorTrendZ07">[http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2007/112_0704_chevrolet_corvette_z07/  Z07 coming in late 2008] article by Motor Trend</ref>  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]] [[Disc brake#Discs|brakes]], enlarged fender vents, a hood bulge, and an engine with a positive-displacement supercharger in the valley between the cylinder banks and a [[Intercooler#Charge Cooling|water-to-air intercooler]] atop it. The photographer was fired and may face civil or criminal legal action, pending a GM investigation.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}

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 to 521&nbsp;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.<ref name="LutzCarAndDriverBlueDevil">[http://www.caranddriver.com/dailyautoinsider/12814/2009-corvette-blue-devil-confirmed-and-in-final-tuning-phase.html 2009 Corvette Blue Devil confirmed and in final tuning phase - Daily Auto Insider] article by Car and Driver</ref>  ''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 [[Chevrolet Corvette C4|C4 Corvette]].<ref>[http://blogs.motortrend.com/6215473/car-news/corvette-blue-devil-finally-gets-a-name-zr1/index.html Corvette Blue Devil (finally) gets a name - ZR1]</ref>  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&nbsp;L LS9 V8 producing {{convert|620|hp|abbr=on}}.  Performance figures were not released, but GM acknowledged that the car was capable of {{convert|200|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, making it the fastest production Corvette ever.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

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&nbsp;rpm redline,{{Fact|date=July 2008}} 200 higher than stock and 10 extra horsepower. The car is not road legal.

Eight Z06-R were constructed by Callaway Competition GmbH<ref>[[Callaway Cars#C15 .28FIA Corvette GT3.29]]</ref> in [[Leingarten]], Germany, for the 2006 season. The French team Riverside campaigned a three car team.<ref>[http://www.vetteweb.com/events/vemp_0701_fia_gt3_corvette_racing/index.html 2006 Oscherleben Race]</ref> 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.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} The Z06R won the FIA GT3 European Championship in its second year of entry.<ref>[http://www.corvettemotorsport.com/dubai2.htm Victory in Dubai]</ref> Z06-Rs are also campaigned in national championships.