>Quick Spin/Road Test Z06 StingRay>EnJoy<
#1
02-08-2015, 06:09 AM
>Quick Spin/Road Test Z06 StingRay>EnJoy<
Vital Statistics
Engine: 6.2 liter
Horsepower: 650
Torque: 650 lb-ft.
0-60 mph: 2.9 seconds
EPA: 15 mpg city/ 22 mpg highway
Engine: 6.2 liter
Horsepower: 650
Torque: 650 lb-ft.
0-60 mph: 2.9 seconds
EPA: 15 mpg city/ 22 mpg highway
Episode 3423
The all-new 7th generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a terrific sports car. But, it’s just the beginning to the latest Corvette chapter. No sooner did we drive the Stingray then Chevy started teasing us with their next installment: the Z06! It’s been a year of waiting. But, now the wait is over.
Truth be told, we would have done just about anything to get some track time in the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Turns out all we had to do was say yes to Chevrolet’s invitation and hop on a plane to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch near Las Vegas, Nevada.
What awaited us there was 650–horsepower worth of torqued up Corvette ready to romp and roll.
Easing up to speed on the track, this Z06 has a familiar feel that any Corvette owner would quickly recognize. As we became more attuned with the track and the car, lap times started falling, tires started protesting, and smiles became perma-blasted on our faces.
There’s certainly a nasty streak within’ this heavily tweaked Stingray that’s more than willing to be unleashed.
The Z06’s aluminum chassis is, for the first time, produced in house at Bowling Green Corvette Central. And, due to its extremely stiff nature, no further updates are needed for the C7.R race car.The short/long arm, double wishbone, transverse composite spring suspension design carries over from the Stingray, but gets recalibrated; and standard Magnetic Ride Control takes care of the rest.
For those more interested in track time than cruise time, a Z07 performance package elevates things to a whole new level. It includes additional and adjustable aero-elements for greater downforce, carbon-ceramic brake rotors, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Helping maintain that unreasonable amount of grip is Performance Track Management and a multi-mode electronic limited slip differential.
Giving power to these random acts of performance is a 6.2-liter LT4 V8 with plenty of extra massaging done by the powertrain professionals at GM’s Tonawanda engine shop. And thanks to a first ever in a Z06 supercharger, output is 650–horsepower and 650 lb-ft. of torque. Expect 0-60 times to be under 3-seconds, of course. You can stick with the standard rev-matching 7-speed manual transmission, or opt for a paddle shifted 8-speed automatic.
You’ll have no problem picking this smooth criminal out of a line-up, as Chevrolet has tacked on a wealth of add-ons in the name of ultimate down-force creation. If you like your performance cars to be a little subtle, look elsewhere. Meanwhile we’ll be taking a 2nd and 3rd look at this ‘vette’s wacked out lines and performance enhancements.There are new fascias front and rear, a front splitter, unique hood, and rear spoiler. And of course all of those aero elements; some standard, some part of the carbon-fiber aero package, and some part of the Z07 package.
The fenders are extended 2-inches in front, 3-inches in the rear; to cover the wheels wearing 285/30/19 rubber in the fore, and 335/25/20 aft. If you don’t opt for the Z07 Performance Package, you’ll still be happy with the standard 14-inch steel Brembos.
Unlike before, the body is not hardtop only, rather the customary removable roof panel arrangement of the standard Stingray, and even a convertible is available this time around.
Inside, there are the unique colors, carbon fiber treatment, and the flat-bottomed steering wheel embellishments that you might expect; but what you might not be prepared for is the available luxury type amenities like high-end leather, 8-inch MyLink with navigation, and Bose audio.
And by now you’ve probably heard of the available onboard Performance Data Recorder developed by Cosworth. Which consists of a high-def. camera in the windshield header, a telemetry recorder with GPS, and an SD recorder. Essentially, it provides you with motorsports-level telemetry and allows you to record your exploits for bragging rights, or perhaps for evidence. But even with all of the Z06’s capabilities and track-ready tech, street time is almost equally as rewarding as track time. Ride quality can be smoothed out with a turn of the dial, and seats offer enough comfort to seek out car shows at distant locals.
The 7-speed manual’s Government Fuel Economy Ratings of 15-City, 22-Highway, and 18-Combined will allow you to eat up plenty of miles or laps before pit stops are necessary. The 8-speed auto however, at 13-City, 21-Highway, and 16-Combined will get you a Gas Guzzler tax.
Still, base pricing of $78,995 clearly puts the Z06 in a class of its own, well below its purely exotic rivals. Convertibles sticker for 5-grand more. No other car on the road can even come close to matching this car’s level of performance for the price.
So while the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 may have been the ride we were eagerly looking forward to the most, and Chevrolet was gracious enough to oblige, AND it was everything we hoped it would be; it did get us thinking a bit… how awesome would a new ZR1 be?
#3
02-08-2015, 07:17 AM
>Bonus Dream Post<
Dear `Barbara, >Get in Line > LOL >
2017 Ford GT
By Tony Swan January 25, 2015
On Sale: December 2016Expected Pricing: Around $400,000
The 2017 Ford GT, the second generation of the mid-engine supercar inspired by the GT40 that won the Le Mans 24-hour race four times, was revealed at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.When revealed, the 2017 Ford GT generated more oohs and ahhs than any other vehicle on display, no mean feat in a show loaded with hot rides such as the long-awaited NSX supercar and a 200-mph Cadillac sedan and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. In addition to popular acclaim, the GT was selected by the Eyes on Design judges, all automotive designers, as the Detroit show’s best production vehicle.
At a glance, “best production vehicle design” might seem a little confusing, since Ford billed the GT as a concept. But Ford made it clear that it fully intends to build this blue bullet, as a prerequisite for a return to the Le Mans 24-hour race.Ford created the first GT40 with the goal of beating Ferrari at Le Mans, and it won the Sarthe classic four consecutive times, in 1966, ’67, ’68, and ’69. Those victories were among the company’s greatest motorsports achievements.
Ford’s latest plan targets the 2017 running of the Le Mans 24-Hour.
To enter the race, Ford must build at least 100 production examples. It’s called homologation. Unless Ford plans to price each car at $1 million or more, there will certainly be more than 100 cars. As an example, production of the previous Ford GT, conducted between 2004 and 2006, came to about 4150 cars. And there was no factory racing plan for that one.Here’s what Ford has revealed so far:
The 2017 Ford GT is mostly carbon fiber (passenger compartment and body panels) with aluminum subframes front and rear to support suspension components, also aluminum. Racing touches include inboard shock absorbers, activated by pushrods, and carbon ceramic brakes.
Ride height is adjustable, as is the active rear spoiler, which can be varied for both height and pitch. The doors are scissor-style, a la Lamborghini, rather than the gull wings of the 2005-2006 Ford GT. The missile-esque profile clearly shows wind tunnel sculpting, though Ford refrained from furnishing any aerodynamic values, such as coefficient of drag.Nor was there any reference to curb weight. However, the minimum weight for the GT Le Mans class, or GTLM, where the Ford GT would be opposed by the Ferrari 458, Corvette, Aston Martin, Porsche 911, and Audi R8, is 2745 pounds.
The engine will be an updated version of an EcoBoost V6 with twin turbos, variable port/direct fuel injection, generating more than 600 horsepower, according to Ford engineers.
Production of the upcoming Ford GT is due to begin in late 2016. We look for street versions to begin reaching selected Ford dealers before the race.
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