phantasms

Please do not quote this entire thread!

Just finished editing everything from the show today.

Included in this thread is, as you see in the title, 125 large images, a link to download a zip file of the jump drive I was given, and my 12 minute talk with Harlan Charles.

Let's start with the images.

It's a huge mess of images and I decided to put them all up. Some of the shots are for beauty and some are for details. If some of the images look weird or grainy it's because I edited them to look like that so we can see more of the details, such as the front grill for my VA friend. The pictures are large but I have them in much larger sizes as well. If anyone wants any specific images in full size or raw format send me a PM and I'll be happy to provide it. I also included a couple other cars. I took a ton of photos of the various rims to try and give a feel for what they looked like. The images where you can very clearly see the brakes behind them are slightly touched up. The ones where it's dark behind them are as they were shot. All three styles they had there looked incredible. It's going to be hard to make a choice. Also note I took a couple images of the rear view mirror from sitting inside the car so you can get an idea of the rear visibility on the Z07 model.

Here is a link to a zip file of the Corvette press kit. It includes all the press releases and all the images of the Z06. I don't believe there are any images we haven't seen before but it's nice to have all them in full size.
Update My server is having issues hosting this 146meg zip file. If anyone can help with that send me a PM.

Lastly and most importantly was my conversation with Harlan. First off he's about as nice as a person gets. From my time in the auto journalism biz I've learned there are the business guys and then there are the car guys. This guy is a true car guy. Below you'll find a video which includes most of the audio from our conversation. The audio is overlaid with many of the photos you'll also see below.

A few key points from our conversation:

1. CCB will for sure only be available on the Z07 and the only tire option will be the cups. However he has a lot to say about the cups which makes me feel better about the fact I'll be daily driving this thing on cups.

2. The Z07 will have slight differences in magnetic ride control programming. However the hardware, spring rates included, will be the same across the board for the Z06.

3. The AFM on the M7 behaves the same as on the Stingray.

4. I've always been the guy to laugh at people when they say $100k plus despite all we've heard. However, after talking to him I do believe that if we check enough boxes off that the car will in fact be over $100k. My new gut is that the Z07 will be still under $100k but able to be optioned over that figure. So I guess we're looking at around $95k? Where are our Corvette Forum accountants?

5. Harlan reads the forum!

6. Those wide body Corvettes you see running around in camo are in fact just Z06's that haven't been removed of their camo yet. If it was a new model he wouldn't have answered the question the way he did. He definitely wasn't lying...that car in that image is just a Z06 that didn't take its fancy dress of yet.

7. They considered offering an option where one could order the car with the roof permanently bolted into place. But after doing testing the difference was so negligible they didn't bother with the hassle of it.

8. Full information and option list will be out next month.

9. Ordering starts in the fall.

10. This is from the booth worker.... estimates are 3,500lbs. Also, the way she was talking I'm not quite sure it will be faster than a ZR1 in a straight line. My money is on no with the way she was leaning her answers on similar topics to other people.

btw...the photos will appear best if you click on them and then click the arrow to view one at a time.
It was interesting that from the side, you couldn't see the red of the bulb through the smoked taillights.
Also, I thought the black sticker on the hood "stinger stripe" looked rather low budget. I was up on the air on that option but now I'll absolutely pass on it.

Please do not quote this entire thread!

Best,
Gene Sanchez Leeds

p.s. sorry if this thread breaks anyone's computer.

Here's the video































































































































Please do not quote this entire thread!

Stingray23

Awesome pics and interview, Gene. Would you say the color of the vert interior is charcoal or dark blue?

xtaski

Awesome shots - thanks for sharing. I noticed the grey Z06 has kalahari interior with the trim piece over the front dash. Is that 2LT or are they offering 3LT with the black upper dash instead of all kalahari? I like the single trim piece look, not the full kalahari...

phantasms

My guess would be charcoal but I very well could be wrong.

RapidC84B

Excellent thread. If you get a chance ask Harlan why they decided to use the same front fascia as the base Stingray and utilize the plastic fender extensions. I don't mind them, but curious why they didn't just make a new front fascia and full width fenders.

Z06Ronald

You spoiled us almost too much, Gene!

Thank you for all the beautiful pictures of this AWESOME car!!!

tail_lights

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!!!

phantasms

I'm not certain and there wasn't any model information next to the cars. Can anyone tell by the interior shot I took?

Good question. They never bothered me before and they bothered me less in person. If I go there tomorrow I'll ask him. I'm not sure I'll make it over there though.

My pleasure!

Any time!

Hirohawa

What an awesome post. Thanks for taking the time do do this!

4vettezo6

Great pictures, I want a grey one just like that.

Snorman

Gene...if you go there tomorrow, and since Harlan reads the forum, can you point him to my thread where the A6 overheated halfway through two sessions at Daytona Rolex and ask him how they are going to address cooling for the A8?
I think this is a HUGE issue considering Tadge and his team are seriously hyping the A8.

P.S. thanks for all the pics and info. Did you stop by the Audi display?
S.

CONMAX

great post! most informative I have seen on this forum in months. looking forward to order/option list announcement next month.

phantasms

In the unlikely event I go back tomorrow I'll definitely ask him. I didn't make it to the Audi display but I did sit in the new M3 sedan. Well I guess you don't have to say sedan anymore. Who needs AWD right?

I also saw the matte black gismo GTR. It looked tough but I wasn't feeling it as much as the regular models.

Best,
Gene

Corvette_Nut

Excellent Thread! THIS POST NEEDS TO BE A STICKY!

Thank you

- Corvette_Nut

Snorman

Sounds good...I plan on being there for early entry on Friday. I have a buddy who is a big wig in the Sansone Auto Network, but I couldn't get up there for the pre-public day.
I'm very "meh" on the Nismo...basically about $30k overpriced and unobtainable with very few available in the US.
S.

skank

Thanks for the massive post Gene!!! Great info and also nice detail shots. EPIC !!!!!

ProEFI

gene first of all thanks for the detailed photos and now i'm not sure which colour to go with LMB, yellow or grey .. I think I love them all.

Z06Ronald

No need to do that, as it already made me feel sticky in the pants.

z51vett

Great post now the wait begins.
z51vett
Doug

BOBSZ06

Thanks for taking the photos! Here is one with captions.........