Scooped from the '15 Z06 reveal:

- 8L90E 8-Speed Automatic available! Only 620+ hp car so equipped
- Steel torque tube replaced with woven c/f
- 60% more rigid chassis, with roof on, than C6 Z06
- 2.2" wider front track
- 3" wider rear track
- Wheel and tire sizes from C6 ZR1
- 3 levels, with varying degrees of aero downforce, with the Z07 version having more d/f than any production car GM's tested in their wind tunnel
- Compact 1.7L supercharger capable of 20,000 rpm and 9.5 psi of boost
- Pre-production versions set lap records @ Milford, beating ZR1 lap times

Stay tuned for the NAIAS reveal... http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette-z0..._autoshow_0114

Facts courtesy of Brandan Gillogly, Hot Rod Magazine

A new King Corvette has arrived, and it definitely gives General Motors [NYSE:GM] some bragging rights at the Detroit Auto Show. With “at least 625 horsepower,” and 635 pound-feet of torque, this top-performance variant of the latest C7 Stingray could shake up the roster of top production-car performance numbers.
And it sets the form for the Corvette C7.R racecar, also shown here at Detroit and headed for Daytona later this month.

The Z06 is powered by an all-new 6.2-liter ‘LT4’ supercharged V-8, making at least 625 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque—37 percent more horsepower and 40 percent more torque than the ‘standard’ 2014 Corvette Stingray.

The LT4 engine is only one inch taller than the LT1 in the Corvette Stingray. The LT4 is one of the only supercharged engines in the world to incorporate cylinder deactivation technology, and it also has variable valve timing.

A big 1.7-liter Eaton R1740 TVS supercharger force-feeds the engine and spins at up to 20,000 rpm and incorporates a shorter rotor design that allows the boost to arrive quicker. Otherwise the engine incorporates a long list of engineering improvements, including rotocast aluminum cylinder heads, titanium intake valves, machined connecting rods, unique forged-aluminum pistons, and a dry-sump oil system.

Also of note is the Z06’s eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s an all-new GM-designed transmission, designated 8L90, and while it’s a traditional, hydraulically controlled automatic, GM says that it provides the quick shifts of dual-clutch boxes (even faster than Porsche’s PDK, they say), yet with more smoothness. And the eight-speed will allow up to a five-percent efficiency improvement over a six-speed automatic.

Z06 models will include the Drive Mode Selector, just as Stingray Coupe and Convertible models, which will allow access to settings for launch control, active-handling systems, traction control, and Sport and Track modes. Magnetic Selective Ride Control dampers are included in the Z06, as well as a three-mode electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD).

Also just as with other Corvette Stingray hardtop models, the Z06 will offer a removable roof panel that will enable some of the benefits of a convertible. That’s allowed through the new C7 Corvette’s stiffer aluminum-frame construction—with extra adhesive bonding used for the Z06.

The exterior changes on the Z06, versus the Corvette Stingray, are entirely functional, and nearly every panel and piece of trim is different. Design director Tom Peters, in a release, points to the flared fenders needed to accommodate larger wheels, the larger vents for cooling, and all the tweaks necessary for improved aerodynamics and high-speed stability.

For those who plan to use the Z06 primarily as a track machine, the Z07 Performance Package is the way to go, as it adds Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires, Brembo carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors, and a set of upgrades aimed at maximizing downforce. In either case, special spin-cast alloy wheels that show off the brake hardware.

Want performance numbers? GM won’t say yet. And there’s plenty of time for more facts and teasers; the Z06 won’t arrive at dealerships until early 2015.

What's New About This Model?
Though it's based on the existing (C7) Corvette platform, the Z06 treatment endows the Z06 with supercar levels of performance. More power, bigger tires and brakes and a new transmission combine with racecar-derived styling to make this the most potent Corvette ever. Chevy says the goal for this car is to better the performance of the outgoing ZR1 model.

When Does It Go on Sale?
Chevrolet said it expects to have the Z06 in dealers in early 2015.

How Much Does It Cost?
No official pricing has been released yet, but Chevy insists pricing will be similar to the last Z06 which started at $76,595. Intuition tells us this car's ZR1-like performance will drive the cost at least a bit higher, however.

What Kind of Engines and Transmissions Does It Have?
The Z06's LT4 V8 engine uses the same block as the LT1 in the base Stingray, but a supercharger and new internals boost output to a minimum of 625 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque, according to Chevy. Still 640 horsepower seems a more likely number, however, as GM is notoriously conservative in its early estimates and there is little point in offering a new supercharged Corvette with less power than the outgoing supercharged Corvette. Two transmissions are available — a seven-speed manual and a new eight-speed automatic, which we expect to see in the base Corvette soon.

Why Supercharge the Z06?
A normally aspirated engine couldn't meet the power, durability and emissions/efficiency requirements Chevy targeted for the Z06, according Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. The only way to make anywhere near this kind of power with a normally aspirated engine is to rev it well beyond 7,000 rpm. That, however, is not possible with the Active Fuel Management hardware which improves efficiency but also increases valvetrain weight.

Will It Top the ZR1?
In at least one important way, it already has. As of early December 2013, the new Z06 had already broken the existing lap record at GM's Milford Road Course where these cars are developed. That was using a base suspension calibration that had no development. It only bettered the record by 0.1 second so there's still ample work to do, according to Juechter.

How Much Does It Weigh?
Expect this Z06 to be heavier than the outgoing ZR1, which weighs 3,366 pounds.

Will the Roof Be Removable?
Yes, the Z06 shares the base car's structure and will also share its removable carbon-fiber roof.

What Unique Features Does It Offer?
The 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 will offer the Performance Data Recorder, which records onboard video and audio and offers the ability to overlay a multiple channels of data including engine speed, vehicle speed, track mapping as well as lateral and longitudinal acceleration. Video can be played back through the car's 8-inch touchscreen or on a computer. MyLink, which integrates smartphone connectivity with pre-loaded apps, is standard.

What Standard and Optional Performance Equipment Is Available?
Chevy's magnetorheological dampers and the electronic differential from the Stingray are standard. Super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and carbon ceramic brakes are available as part of the Z07 package.

The Z06's styling is driven solely by performance and features wider bodywork and more prominent ducts and vents. Three levels of aero treatment are available and can include an adjustable wickerbill rear spoiler and an aggressive front splitter with vertical end caps which increase downforce. It is one of the most radical-looking Corvettes ever.

What Kind of Standard and Optional Safety Equipment Is Offered?
Front and side-impact airbags, a rearview camera, OnStar, daytime running lamps as well as stability and traction control are standard. Performance Traction Management, which enhances both safety and performance on the track, is optionally available.

What Models Will It Compete Against?
Ford Mustang GT500 Coupe: The GT500, too, isn't the Z06's equal on a track, but when it comes to outright fun, it's hard to beat. And its engine is the most powerful production V8 ever built, so it's no slouch.

Porsche 911 Turbo S: Though the Corvette has no direct competitors, the 911 is probably its closest contender in spirit. The 911 Turbo's similar performance is overshadowed by a much higher price, however.

SRT Viper: Less refined, harder to drive and ultimately not as quick in most hands, the Viper is nonetheless a serious performance car that deserves to be in this conversation.

Should You Wait for It?
If you must have the fastest Corvette ever built then, yes, the 2015 Z06 is probably worth the wait. If you can settle for an extremely rapid and satisfying-to-drive sport coupe that's available right now, a Stingray with the Z51 package should meet your every need.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Chevrolet introduced the most track-capable Corvette in the brand's history - the 2015 Corvette Z06. It stretches the performance envelope for Corvette with unprecedented levels of aerodynamic downforce, at least 625 horsepower from an all-new supercharged engine, and an all-new, high-performance eight-speed automatic transmission - all building on the advanced driver technologies introduced on the Corvette Stingray.

"The new Z06 delivers levels of performance, technology and design that rival the most exotic supercars in the world," said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. "And the Z06 leverages the engineering expertise of GM, offering the choice of two world-class transmissions, supercar performance without supercar fuel consumption and technologies that make it easier to fully enjoy the incredible experience of driving it."

The 2015 model is the first Corvette Z06 to offer a supercharged engine, an automatic transmission and, thanks to a stronger aluminum frame, a removable roof panel. The new, supercharged 6.2L engine is expected to deliver at least 625 horsepower (466 kW), and can be matched with either a seven-speed manual or an all-new, high-performance eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for manual control. The aluminum frame carries over from the Corvette Stingray and will be used essentially unchanged for the Corvette Racing C7.R.

A track-focused Z07 Performance Package adds unique components for true aerodynamic downforce, 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 unsprung weight. Although development testing is ongoing, the Z07 package has already recorded some of the fastest lap times ever for a Corvette, surpassing even the ZR1.

"The Corvette Z06 is a great example of the technology transfer between racing and production Corvettes," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "First, we took what we learned on the Corvette Racing C6.R and applied that to the all-new Corvette Stingray. Then, using the Stingray as a foundation, the Z06 and C7.R were developed to push the envelope of performance on the street and the track."

Supercharged, efficient performance

The heart of the 2015 Corvette Z06 is the all-new LT4 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine, expected to deliver an estimated 625 horsepower (466 kW) and 635 lb-ft of torque (861 Nm). To balance performance and efficiency, the LT4 leverages the same trio of advanced technologies introduced on the Corvette Stingray: Direct injection, Active Fuel Management, or cylinder deactivation, and continuously variable valve timing.

These technologies - combined with the fuel-efficient multi-speed transmissions, aerodynamic design and lightweight construction - help make the new Z06 surprisingly fuel efficient.

"The supercharged LT4 engine delivers the greatest balance of performance and efficiency ever in the Corvette," said John Rydzewski, assistant chief engineer for Small-Block engines. "It is one of the world's only supercharged engines to incorporate cylinder deactivation technology, enabling it to cruise efficiently on the highway with reduced fuel consumption, but offer more than 600 horsepower whenever the driver calls up its tremendous power reserve."

To maintain the Z06's mass and performance targets, the LT4 engine was designed with a more-efficient, more-compact supercharger. Even with its integrated supercharger/intercooler assembly mounted in the valley between the cylinder heads, the engine is only about one inch (25 mm) taller than the Corvette Stingray's LT1 engine - while delivering nearly 37 percent more horsepower and 40 percent more torque.

The new 1.7L Eaton R1740 TVS supercharger spins at up to 20,000 rpm - 5,000 rpm more than the supercharger on the Corvette ZR1's LS9. The rotors are shorter in length, too, which contributes to their higher-rpm capability - and enables them to get up to speed quicker, producing power-enhancing boost earlier in the rpm band. That boost is achieved more efficiently, thanks to a new, more direct discharge port that creates less turbulence, reducing heat and speeding airflow into the engine.

The LT4 engine also has several unique features designed to support its higher output and the greater cylinder pressures created by forced induction, including:

Rotocast A356T6 aluminum cylinder heads that are stronger and handle heat better than conventional heads
Lightweight titanium intake valves and machined connecting rods for reduced reciprocating mass
High 10.0:1 compression ratio - for a forced-induction engine - enhances performance and efficiency and is enabled by direct injection
Forged aluminum pistons with unique, stronger structure to ensure strength under high cylinder pressures
Stainless steel exhaust headers and an aluminum balancer that are lighter than their LT1 counterparts
Standard dry-sump oiling system with larger cooler capacity than Z51; used with dual-pressure-control oil pump.

The LT4 will be built in Tonawanda, N.Y., and at the new Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, Ky.

Eight speeds, no waiting

The supercharged LT4 is offered with a standard seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match, or an all-new 8L90 eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission designed to enhance both performance and efficiency.

"Unlike most ultra-performance cars, the Corvette Z06 offers customers the choice between two transmissions to suit their driving styles," said Juechter. "The seven-speed gives the driver the control of a true three-pedal manual transmission with perfect shifts enabled by Active Rev Matching. The new eight-speed automatic offers drivers the comfort and drivability of a true automatic transmission, as well as lightning-fast shifts and manual control for track driving."

The seven-speed manual incorporates rev-matching technology for upshifts and downshifts. This driver-selectable feature can be easily engaged or disengaged via paddles on the steering wheel. The seven-speed is used with a new dual-mass flywheel and dual-disc clutch, which deliver greater shift quality and feel through lower inertia.

The eight-speed automatic is tuned for world-class shift-response times, and smaller steps between gears keep the LT4 within the sweet spot of the rpm band, making the most of the output of the supercharged engine for exhilarating performance and greater efficiency.

For performance driving, the transmission offers full manual control via steering wheel paddles, and unique algorithms to deliver shift performance that rivals the dual-clutch/semi-automatic transmissions found in many supercars - but with the smoothness and refinement that comes with a conventional automatic fitted with a torque converter.

In fact, the 8L90's controller analyzes and executes commands 160 times per second, and wide-open throttle upshifts are executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the dual-clutch transmission offered in the Porsche 911.

"There's no trade-off in drivability with the new 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission - it was designed to deliver performance on par with dual-clutch designs, but without sacrificing refinement," said Bill Goodrich, assistant chief engineer for eight-speed automatic transmissions. "It is also the highest-capacity automatic transmission ever offered in a Chevrolet car."

Featuring four gearsets and five clutches, creative packaging enables the GM-developed eight-speed automatic to fit the same space as the six-speed automatic used in the Corvette Stingray. Extensive use of aluminum and magnesium make it more than eight pounds (4 kg) lighter than the six-speed. Along with design features that reduce friction, the 8L90 is expected to contribute up to 5-percent greater efficiency, when compared with a six-speed automatic.

The eight-speed automatic will be built at GM's Toledo, Ohio, transmission facility.

Designed for downforce

The performance targets of the Z06 also posed a challenge for the design team, which had to create a striking design that also contributed to increased capabilities.

"Practically every exterior change served a functional purpose, as this beast needed more of everything," said Tom Peters, Corvette design director, "The flared fenders accommodate larger, wider wheels and tires for more grip. The larger vents provide more cooling air to the engine, brakes, transmission and differential for increased track capability. The more aggressive aerodynamic package generates true downforce for more cornering grip and high-speed stability."

The design changes began not with the exterior panels, but the tires.

To deliver the levels of grip needed for the Z06's performance targets, the Z06 was fitted with larger Michelin tires (Pilot Super Sport tires for the Z06; Sport Cup 2 tires with the Z07 package). The P285/30ZR19 front tires are 1.5 inches wider than the tires on the Stingray, while the 335/25ZR20 rear tires are two inches wider.

To cover the wider tire tread, the fenders of the Z06 were extended by 2.2 inches (56 mm) at the front, and 3.15 inches (80 mm) at the rear. These extensions give the Corvette Z06 a wider, lower appearance further emphasized by a unique rear fascia. It incorporates the same taillamp assemblies as the Stingray, but on the Z06 the taillamps are pushed approximately three inches farther apart, toward to edges of the body.

The tires are mounted on lightweight, spin-cast aluminum wheels that are also wider than the Stingray (19 x 10 inches in front and 20 x 12 inches in the rear). Their open, ultralight design showcases the massive Brembo brakes, which are part of the design aesthetic:

The Z06 features two-piece steel rotors, measuring 14.6 x 1.3-inch (371 x 33 mm) front and 14.4 x 1-inch (365 x 25 mm) rear, with aluminum six-piston and four-piston fixed calipers, respectively
The Z07 package adds larger, 15.5 x 1.4-inch (394 x 36 mm) front and 15.3 x 1.3-inch (388 x 33 mm) carbon ceramic-matrix brake rotors for consistent performance lap after lap, and collectively save 23 pounds over the standard Z06 rotors.

To harness the cornering and braking grip afforded by the larger tires and brakes, the exterior of the Corvette Z06 is tailored to produce aerodynamic downforce that presses the tires to the ground at high speeds.

The Z06 will offer three, increasing levels of aerodynamic downforce:

The standard Z06 features a front splitter, spats around the front wheel openings, a unique carbon-fiber hood with a larger vent, and the rear spoiler from the Corvette Stingray's Z51 Performance Package
An available carbon-fiber aero package - in either black or a visible carbon-fiber finish - adds a carbon fiber front splitter with aviation-style winglets, carbon fiber rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler with a fixed wickerbill - a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce
The available Z07 package add larger winglets to the front splitter, along with an adjustable, see-through center section on the rear spoiler for track use. With this package, the Corvette Z06 delivers the most aerodynamic downforce of any production car that GM has tested.

The exterior design also reflects the increased cooling required for the new Corvette Z06. For example, the mesh pattern on the front fascia was painstakingly designed to deliver the most possible airflow to the supercharger's intercooler heat exchanger, so much that the mesh grill directs more air into the engine bay than if the grille was removed.

The unique grille also features dedicated brake-cooling intakes and wider grille outlets on the bottom serve as air diffusers. The grille is complemented with a larger hood vent, which vents hot air from the engine compartment and contributes to downforce by allowing air driven through the grille to exit through the hood rather than being forced under the car, which could create lift.

Additional cooling elements include larger front fender vents and unique air blades over the inlets on the rear fenders, which force about 50 percent more air into the cooling ducts for the transmission and differential coolers than those on the Stingray. To cope with the additional airflow, the Z06 has also has larger rear-fascia openings than the Stingray.

Standard front and rear brake-cooling ducts, including Z06-signature rear ducts integrated in front of the rear fender openings, are also part of the functional design changes.

Inside, the Corvette Z06 is distinguished from the Corvette Stingray by unique color schemes that emphasize the driver-focused cockpit, and a unique, flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Like the Stingray, the Z06 will be offered with two seating choices: a GT seat, for all-around comfort, and a Competition Sport seat with more aggressive side bolstering, which provides greater support on the track. The frame structure for both seats is made of magnesium, for greater strength and less weight than comparable steel frames. They're also more rigid, contributing to the enhanced feeling of support during performance driving.

The Z06 also benefits from interior details designed for high-performance driving, first introduced on the Stingray, including a steel-reinforced grab bar on the center console for the passenger and soft-touch materials on the edge of the console, where the driver naturally braces during high-load cornering.

The performance-supporting elements inside the new Corvette Z06 are complemented by unprecedented attention to detail and build quality. All models feature a fully wrapped interior, where every surface is covered with premium, soft-touch materials. Available materials, depending on the trim level, include Napa leather, aluminum, carbon fiber and micro-suede.

Track-proven technologies

The 2015 Corvette Z06 leverages the technologies introduced on the Corvette Stingray, including the strategic use of lightweight materials and advanced driver technologies, with unique features and calibrations tailored for its capabilities.

"Our mission with the seventh-generation Corvette was to make the performance levels more accessible, enabling drivers to exploit every pound-foot of torque, every "g" of grip and every pound of downforce," said Juechter. "It's a philosophy we introduced with the 460-horsepower Corvette Stingray - and one that's even more relevant with an estimated 625 horsepower at your beck and call."

For the first time ever, the Corvette Z06's aluminum frame will be produced in-house at General Motors' Bowling Green assembly plant. It's the same robust, lightweight frame used on the Corvette Stingray and it will be used essentially unchanged for the C7.R race cars.

The stiffer design of the aluminum frame allows the Corvette Z06 to be offered with a removable roof panel for the first time. With the lightweight, carbon fiber roof panel removed, the new Corvette Z06 offers 20 percent more structural rigidity than the previous model's fixed-roof design. It is 60 percent stiffer than the previous model with the roof panel installed.

The new Z06 retains the SLA-type front and rear suspension design of the Corvette Stingray but uniquely calibrated for the higher performance threshold. The third-generation Magnetic Selective Ride Control dampers are standard on Z06. They can be adjusted for touring comfort or maximum track performance via the standard Driver Mode Selector.

Like the Stingray, the Driver Mode Selector tailors up to a dozen features of the Z06 to suit the driver's environment, including:

Launch control: Available in Track mode for manual and automatic transmissions, providing maximum off-the-line acceleration
Active handling (StabiliTrak electronic stability control): A "competitive" setting is available in Track mode and is more suited for on-track conditions. It can also be disabled, giving the driver complete control
Traction control: Weather mode tailors traction control and engine torque for driving in inclement conditions
Performance Traction Management: Available in Track mode and offers five settings of torque reduction and brake intervention for track driving
Electronic Limited Slip Differential: Adjusts the rate at which the limited slip engages, to balance between steering response and stability in different driving conditions with more aggressive performance in Sport and Track modes.

The smart electronic limited-slip differential, or eLSD, is standard on the Z06 to make the most of the torque split between the rear wheels. The system features a hydraulically actuated clutch that can infinitely vary clutch engagement and can respond from open to full engagement in tenths of a second. It shifts torque based on a unique algorithm that factors in vehicle speed, steering input and throttle position to improve steering feel, handling balance and traction.

The eLSD is fully integrated with Electronic Stability Control and Performance Traction Management systems. Its calibrations vary among three modes, based on the Drive Mode Selector setting:

Mode 1 is the default setting for normal driving and emphasizes vehicle stability
Mode 2 is engaged when electronic stability control is turned off in the Sport or Track modes. This calibration enables more nimble turn-in and traction while accelerating out of a corner
Mode 3 is automatically selected when Performance Traction Management is engaged. This calibration has the same function as Mode 2, but is fine-tuned to work with Performance Traction Management.

The new Corvette Z06 will be available in early 2015.

335/25ZR20 rear tires