Publisher's Note: The following information was originally embargoed until 12:01AM EST, January 10th, but seeing as we received our February issues of Car and Driver and Road & Track on December 30th with the new 2006 Corvette ZO6 and Cadillac STS prominently featured on the covers, the embargo was officially "blown" as far as we're concerned. We understand the pecking order in this process, with the "buff" books receiving favorable treatment at every turn, but in the future there should be one embargo date for the magazines and one for everyone else, so that everyone knows what the deal is right up front. That said, these are two sensational cars from General Motors. - PMD

CORVETTE ZO6

GM will take the wraps off of the most kick-ass Corvette in history at the Detroit Auto Show next week, and let's get right to the point, shall we? The new Corvette Z06 is the best high-performance sports car value in the world, period. Chevrolet engineers and designers took lessons learned from their ultra-successful C5-R Corvette Racing program and applied them directly to the new ZO6, and the results are spectacular. With 500HP in an approximately 3130-pound (1419.7 kg) package, the ZO6 delivers 0-60 performance of less than 4 seconds, will cover the quarter-mile in the 11's, and deliver a top speed in excess of 190 mph. It is the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet and GM.

The new Z06 was developed in conjunction with the all-new Corvette C6-R ALMS racer, and the engineers ended up with a totally unique vehicle that has its own powertrain, body structure and chassis system, which are distinct from other Corvette models.

Most impressive is the new "LS7" 7.0-liter/427-cubic-inch Gen IV V-8 with lightweight reciprocating components that was directly lifted from the all-conquering C5-R. This small-block 427, which will be hand built at GM Powertrain's new Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, delivers 500 horsepower at 6200 rpm, 475 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm, has an 11.0:1 compression ratio and a 7000 rpm redline, and features titanium connecting rods and intake valves, and a dry-sump engine lubrication system.

The ZO6 also features major modifications from the stock C6, including aluminum body structure with one-piece hydroformed perimeter frame rails and a magnesium front cradle, a fastback fixed roof design to optimize body rigidity and aerodynamics, and carbon-fiber composite front fenders and front wheelhouses. The ZO6 also has a unique front fascia incorporating a larger grille, cold-air scoop and lower air splitter with "Gurney lips" along the sides, larger vertical air vents behind the wheels, wide-body rear fenders with brake scoops and a unique rear spoiler. The package of aero tweaks delivers a Cd of .31.

Helping stop the ZO6 are 14-inch cross-drilled front disc brakes with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch cross-drilled rear rotors with four-piston calipers (the calipers are painted bright red). The ZO6 also has specific, ten-spoke, 18 x 9.5-inch front wheels with 275/35ZR18 tires and 19 x 12-inch rear wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires, a 3-inch-diameter exhaust with bi-mode mufflers and larger polished stainless steel tips, engine, transmission and differential oil coolers; and steering cooler, and a rear-mounted battery to improve weight distribution.

The interior has some unique touches including a revised gauge cluster, smaller diameter steering wheel and lightweight two-tone seats with more aggressive bolsters. All-in-all, a spectacular looking car, and we can't wait to drive it. Look for the ZO6 to arrive in showrooms around Labor Day.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY GENERAL MOTORS

CORVETTE Z06: RACING SUCCESS HELPS BREED THE FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION CORVETTE EVER BUILT

DETROIT – By winning every race in the 2004 season, the Corvette C5-R racing team wrapped up the most successful era in Corvette’s 50-year racing history. In its five years, the C5-R racing program took 35 victories in 55 races, four American Le Mans Series championships and three double victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans .

The Z06 sparked the second half of the C5’s life span with a Corvette model for the extreme performance enthusiast. Now, Team Corvette combines the numerous attributes of the sixth-generation Corvette with the technology and winning determination from the C5-R program to take the new Z06 to the next level in total performance.

Chevrolet introduced the 2006 Corvette Z06 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet and General Motors. It is comprised of an unprecedented level of capability and technology, making it one of the greatest performance values on the market. And with an unmistakably muscular appearance, the ’06 Z06 has a visual attitude that always looks ready to demonstrate Corvette’s winning attitude to any challenger around the globe.

“The new Z06 is the dividend from competing so successfully in endurance racing,” said Dave Hill, Corvette’s chief engineer. “It combines the strong attributes of the new, sixth-generation Corvette with the spirit, technology and know-how from the race program to form an American supercar with outstanding credentials.”
The new Z06 achieves 500 horsepower in an approximately 3130-pound (1419.7 kg) package and is expected to deliver 0-60 performance of less than 4 seconds, eclipse the quarter-mile in less than 12 seconds and deliver a top speed of more than 190 mph on a race track.

The links between racing and the production Z06 are both direct and indirect, as the vehicle was developed in conjunction with the forthcoming C6-R racecar, but they boil down to the application of lessons that could only have been learned after countless laps of endurance racing – everything from suspension geometry to aerodynamics. What the engineers developed was a totally unique vehicle that has its own powertrain, body structure and chassis system which are distinct from other Corvette models.

Previous Z06 models, from the original 1963 model to the 2001-04 editions, incorporated suspension and/or engine upgrades that complemented existing Corvette systems. Not surprisingly, the specs for the ’06 read like the blueprint of a champion. They include:

· LS7 7.0-liter/427-cubic-inch Gen IV V-8 with lightweight reciprocating components
· 500 horsepower (373 kw) at6200 rpm
· 475 lb.-ft. of torque (657 Nm) at 4800 rpm
· 7000 rpm redline
· Titanium connecting rods and intake valves
· Dry-sump engine lubrication system
· Engine hand-built at GM’s new Performance Build Center
· Aluminum body structure with one-piece hydroformed perimeter rails frame and magnesium front cradle
· Fixed roof design optimizes body rigidity and aerodynamics
· Carbon-fiber composite front fenders and front wheelhouses
· Unique front fascia incorporating a larger grille, cold-air scoop and lower air splitter
· Wide-body rear fenders and a unique rear spoiler incorporated with the CHMSL
· Huge 14-inch (355-mm) cross-drilled front disc brakes with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340-mm) cross-drilled rear rotors with four-piston calipers
· 18 x 9.5-inch front wheels with 275/35ZR18 tires and 19 x 12-inch rear wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires
· 3-inch-diameter exhaust with bi-mode mufflers and larger polished stainless steel tips
· Engine, transmission and differential oil coolers; and steering cooler
· Rear-mounted battery to improve weight distribution
· Unique interior features including revised gauge cluster and lightweight two-tone seats with more aggressive bolsters
· Curb weight of 3130 pounds / 1419.7 kg (estimated)
· 3 inches (76.2 mm) wider than other Corvette models
· Vehicle developed simultaneously with C6-R racecar.

The features above are merely the highline points of the comprehensively designed Z06. What follows is a closer look at the vehicle’s unique attributes.
LS7 engine

The all-new LS7 of the ’06 Z06 reintroduces the 427-cubic-inch engine to the Corvette lineup. Unlike the previous 427 engine, which was a big-block design, the new 7.0-liter LS7 is a small-block V-8 – the largest-displacement small-block ever produced by GM and a tribute to its 50 years as a performance icon.
With 500 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque, it also is the most powerful passenger car engine ever produced by Chevrolet and GM. The LS7 is easily identified under the hood by red engine covers with black lettering.

The LS7 shares the same basic Gen IV V-8 architecture as the Corvette’s 6.0-liter LS2, but the LS7 uses a different cylinder block casting with pressed-in steel cylinder liners to accommodate the engine’s wide, 104.8-mm-wide cylinder bores; the LS2 has 101.6-mm bores. And when compared to the LS2, the LS7 also has a different front cover, oil pan, exhaust manifolds and cylinder heads.
Internally, the LS7’s reciprocating components make use of racing-derived lightweight technology, including titanium connecting rods and intake valves, to help boost horsepower and rpm capability. The rpm fuel shut-off limit is 7000 rpm.

The LS7’s specifications include:

· Unique cylinder block casting with large, 104.8-mm bores and pressed-in cylinder liners
· Forged steel main bearing caps
· Forged steel crankshaft
· Titanium connecting rods with 101.6-mm stroke
· Forged aluminum flat-top pistons
· 11.0:1 compression
· Dry-sump oiling system
· Camshaft with .591-inch lift
· Racing-derived CNC-ported aluminum cylinder heads with titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves
· Titanium pushrods and valve springs
· Low-restriction air intake system
· Hydroformed exhaust headers with unique “quad flow” collector flanges.

“In many ways, the LS7 is a racing engine in a street car,” said Dave Muscaro, assistant chief engineer of small-block V-8 for passenger cars. “We’ve taken much of what we’ve learned over the years from the 7.0-liter C5-R racing program and instilled it here. There really has been nothing else like it offered in a GM production vehicle.”

One of the clearest examples of the LS7’s race-bred technology is its use of titanium connecting rods. They weigh just 480 grams apiece, almost 30 percent less than the rods in the LS2 V-8. Besides being lightweight, which enhances high-rpm performance and rpm range, titanium makes the rods extremely durable.
The LS7’s CNC-ported aluminum cylinder heads are all-new and designed to meet the high airflow demands of the engine’s 7.0-liter displacement, as it ingests approximately 100 cubic feet more air per minute than the Corvette’s 6.0-liter LS2 V-8 – an 18-percent increase in airflow. Consequently, a hydraulic roller camshaft with .591/.591-inch valve lift is used to allow plenty of air to circulate in and out of the engine.

To ensure optimal, uninterrupted airflow, the LS7’s heads have straight, tunnel-like intake runners. Very large by production-vehicle standards – even racing standards – they are designed to maintain fast airflow velocity, providing excellent torque at low rpm and exhilarating horsepower at high rpm. The heads feature 70-cc combustion chambers which are fed by huge, 56-mm-diameter titanium intake valves. The lightweight titanium valves weigh 21grams less than the stainless steel valves used in the LS2, despite the valve head having 22 percent more area. They are complemented by 41-mm sodium-filled exhaust valves, vs. 39.4-mm valves in the LS2. To accommodate the large valve face diameters, the heads’ valve seats are siamesed; and, taken from experience with the engines of C5-R racecars, the LS7’s valve angles are held at 12 degrees – versus 15 degrees for the LS2 – to enhance airflow through the ports.
All LS7 engines are assembled by hand at GM Powertrain’s new Performance Build Center in Wixom , Mich. The exacting standards to which they are built include deck-plate honing of the cylinders – a procedure normally associated with the building of racing engines and almost unheard of in a production-vehicle engine.

Dry sump oiling system

The LS7 has a dry-sump oiling system designed to keep the engine fully lubricated during the high cornering loads the Corvette Z06 is capable of producing. An engine compartment-mounted 8-quart reservoir delivers oil at a constant pressure to a conventional-style oil pump pick-up at the bottom of the engine. The pressurized oil feed keeps the oil pick-up continually immersed in oil at cornering loads exceeding 1 g.

Oil circulates through the engine and down to the oil pan, where it is sent back to the reservoir via a scavenge pump. The large-capacity reservoir, combined with a high efficiency air-to-oil cooler, provides necessary engine oil cooling under the demands of the engine’s power output. With the dry-sump system, oil is added to the engine via the reservoir tank – which includes the oil level dipstick.

The LS7’s dry-sump system was developed and tested on racetracks in the United States and Europe , including Germany ’s famed Nürburgring. And while common in racing cars, the Corvette Z06 is one of just a handful of production vehicles – and the only production Corvette – to ever incorporate such a high-performance oiling system.

Drivetrain

The Corvette Z06’s powertrain and drivetrain systems are matched to the LS7’s performance capability. The light, four-into-one headers discharge in to new, close-coupled catalytic converters and through to new “bi-modal” mufflers. The mufflers each feature a vacuum-actuated outlet valve, which controls exhaust noise during low-load operation but opens for maximum power.

At the rear of the LS7 engine, a single-mass flywheel and lightweight, high-capacity clutch channel torque to the rear transaxle. The six-speed manual transmission has been strengthened to handle the LS7’s increased torque load. The transmission includes a pump which sends transmission fluid to the front radiator for cooling. Upon its return, the fluid removes additional heat from the differential lube before returning to the transmission.

The M6 transmission connects to a limited-slip differential, with enlarged ring and pinion gears. Stronger axle half-shafts with tougher universal joints transmit power to the rear wheels.

Body structure

The Z06 has a unique aluminum body structure for optimum stiffness and light weight for the fixed-roof bodystyle. Perimeter rails are one-piece hydroformed members featuring cast suspension nodes, which replace many welded steel components on other Corvette models. Other castings, stampings and extrusions are combined into the innovative structure with state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies.

Advanced structural composites featuring carbon fiber are bonded to the aluminum structure. The wider front wheelhouses, for example, are carbon composites and the passenger compartment floors combine carbon-fiber skins with an ultra-lightweight balsa wood core.

Chassis system

The 2006 Corvette Z06 has a new magnesium cradle that serves as the attachment point for the engine and some front suspension components. Magnesium is lighter than aluminum yet incredibly strong. The magnesium cradle helps improve the front-to-rear weight distribution, as do carbon-fiber front fenders and wheelhouses. Engineers also moved the battery from underhood to a position in the rear cargo area, behind one of the rear wheels.

“This is an instance where the street car uses more advanced material than the racecar,” said Hill. “We’re constrained by rules to run the steel frame in the racecars, but we stretched to bring even more performance technology to the street for out customers.”

The mass reductions are offset by some added performance enablers, including dry-sump lubrication, 3-inch (76.2-mm) exhaust with outlet valves, larger wheels and tires, more power brake and stiffer roll stabilizers.

Suspension, brakes, wheels and tires

The Z06 retains the 106-inch (2686-mm) wheelbase of other Corvette models, as well as the short-long arm suspension and transverse leaf spring design, but it rides on all-new wheels, tires, brakes, as well as its own rear spring and roll stabilizer.

The firmer suspension works harmoniously with large 18 x 9.5-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels and 275/35ZR18 tires in the front, and 19 x 12-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear – the largest wheel-and-tire combination ever offered on a Corvette. The tires use the latest extended-mobility technology from Goodyear to provide a satisfactory ride, but still allow the vehicle to achieve lateral acceleration of more than 1 g. The extended-mobility tires eliminate the need – and weight – for a spare tire and jack or inflator kit, and reduce the chance of a sudden loss of handling capability.

“The Z06 enables the driver to turn excellent track lap times, but it also is quick to learn and is very forgiving for its performance level,” said Hill. “We tested its capability around the world to ensure it will feel at home on any road or race track.”

Complementing the suspension system and large rolling stock is an equally capable four-wheel disc brake system, consisting of 14-inch (355-mm) vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4-inch (340-mm) vented and cross-drilled rear rotors. For comparison, the ’05 Corvette has 12.8-inch (325-mm) front and 12-inch (305-mm) rear rotors, while the ’05 Corvette with the Z51 has 13.4-inch (340-mm) and 13-inch (330-mm) rotors.

The front rotors are acted upon by huge, red-painted six-piston calipers that use six individual brake pads. Individual brake pads are used because they deliver more equalized wear compared to what would otherwise be a pair of very long single-piece pads. For the rear brakes, four-piston calipers with four individual brake pads are used. A Delphi four-channel ABS system is used, as is a very competent active handling system – complete with a Competitive Driving mode.

The large brakes bring an excellent level of stopping capability with the Z06, and with their four-wheel brake cooling, they provide excellent fade resistance and lining life during track duties.

Distinct design

The new Z06 has an unmistakable and aggressive appearance, with design cues that include:

· A wide front fascia with a large, forward-facing grille opening, a splitter along the bottom and “Gurney lips” along the sides to provide aerodynamic downforce
· A cold air scoop in front of the hood that integrates an air inlet system for the engine
· The trailing edge of the front wheel opening is radiused to achieve improved drag, but protects the body finish with a tough molding, and a large air extractor is located behind the wheel
· A fixed-roof bodystyle optimizes body rigidity and aerodynamics
· Wider rear fenders with flares cover the massive rear tires and a brake cooling scoop in front of the wheels visually balances the fender extractor
· A tall rear spoiler houses the CHMSL on the top of the rear fascia
· 10-spoke wheels
· Four larger stainless steel exhaust outlets
· New-design Z06 badging on the front fenders

While the function of the Z06’s design is to move air efficiently over the body and reduce lift, the net effect is a car that looks like a weight lifter whose muscles are straining the seams of his shirt.

“The Z06 has been sculpted very carefully, with every element in its design serving a performance function,” said Hill. “It also has a purposeful, menacing resemblance to the C6-R.”

The aerodynamics of the Z06’s exterior were shaped by the experiences of the Corvette racing program, where high-speed stability and cornering capability are paramount. And while the racecars use large rear wings, the Z06’s elevated spoiler provides sufficient downforce to balance the road-worthy front splitter without adversely affecting aerodynamic drag. The Z06’s Cd is .31.

Uncompromising amenities

For all its race-inspired functionality, the Z06 is designed to be a daily drivable high-performance vehicle. To that end, comfort and convenience are held to a very high standard. HID lighting, fog lamps, leather seating, dual-zone air conditioning, cabin air filtration and Head-Up Display (HUD) with track mode and g-meter are standard.

The Z06 also has a revised gauge cluster that displays the Z06 logo on the 7000-redline tachometer and has a new readout on the oil pressure gauge to reflect the higher standard pressure of the dry-sump oiling system. And, like other 2006 Corvettes, the Z06 has a new, smaller-diameter three-spoke steering wheel that provides a more agile, performance-oriented feel. The seats feature two-tone leathering surfaces, with Z06-logo embroidery and contrasting stitching.

Z06 options include a Bose audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer, polished wheels, a telescoping steering wheel, heated seats, side air bags, a navigation system with GPS, Homelink and XM Satellite Radio.

But for all its comfort, engineers did sacrifice a few components in the quest for lower weight and higher performance:

· Side bolsters are fixed and more aggressive to better hold the driver when cornering and they weigh less than standard-model seats
· Passenger seat features manual controls, saving the weight of a power-adjust motor
· Acoustic package revised to reduce weight and allow more aural feedback of the powertrain
Production of the 2006 Corvette Z06 will begin in the second half of 2005 at the Bowling Green , Ky. , Assembly Plant.

SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models: Chevrolet Corvette coupe and 2006 Corvette Z06

Body styles / driveline: 2-door hatchback coupe with removable roof; rear-wheel drive (coupe); 2-door hatchback coupe with fixed roof; rear-drive (Z06)

Construction: composite body panels, hydroformed steel frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components (coupe);composite and carbon-fiber body panels, hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components (Z06)

Manufacturing location: Bowling Green , Kentucky

Engine 6.0L V-8 LS2 7.0L V-8 LS7

Displacement (cu in / cc): 364 / 5967 427 / 7011.3

Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4 x 3.62 / 101.6 x 92 4.125 x 4 / 104.8 x
101.6

Block material: cast aluminum cast aluminum

Cylinder head material: cast aluminum cast aluminum

Valvetrain: OHV, 2 valves per cylinder OHV, 2 valves per cylinder

Fuel delivery: SFI (sequential fuel injection) SFI (sequential fuel injection)

Compression ratio: 10.9:1 11:1

Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm): 400 / 298 @ 6000 500 / 373 @ 6200

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 400 / 542 @ 4400 475 / 657 @ 4800

Recommended fuel: 93 octane (recommended but not required) 93 octane

Estimated fuel economy (mpg city / hwy / combined): automatic: 18 / 25 / 21 manual: 19 / 28 / 23 TBD

Transmission Corvette coupe Corvette Z06

Type: Hydra-Matic 4L65-E 4-speed auto.; Tremec 6-speed manual Tremec 6-speed manual

Chassis / Suspension

Front: short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber

Rear: short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber short/long arm ( SLA ) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber

Traction control: electronic traction control; Active Handling electronic traction control; Active Handling

Brakes Corvette coupe Corvette Z06

Type: front and rear power-assisted disc with ABS; cross-drilled rotors with Z51 Performance Package front and rear power-assisted disc with ABS with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, cross-drilled rotors

Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): front: 12.8 x 1.26 / 325 x 32 rear: 12 x 1 / 305 x 26; Z51 Performance Package: front: 13.4 x 1.26 / 340 x 32 rear: 13 x 1 / 330 x 26 front: 14 x 1.3 / 355 x 32 rear: 13.4 x 1 / 340 x 26

Wheels & Tires

Wheel size: front: 18 inch x 8.5 inch rear: 19 inch x 10 inch front: 18 inch x 9.5 inch rear: 19 inch x 12 inch

Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 GS Extended Mobility front: P245/40ZR18 rear: P285/35ZR19 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar Extended Mobility front: P275/35ZR18 rear: P325/30ZR19

Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm): 106 / 2629 106 / 2629

Overall length (in / mm): 175 / 4445 175 / 4445

Overall width (in / mm): 73 / 1854 76 / 1930

Overall height (in / mm): 49 / 1244 49 / 1244

Curb weight (lb / kg): 3179 / 1442 3130 / 1419.7