Crash99

Dave Hill told us today at the Infineon ALMS Corvette Corral that at tomorrow's Corvette Racing Banquet he would reveal the times for the ZO6 at the 'Ring! (I'll make sure to ask about the 'Blue Devil')

He was asked a couple of times to spill the beans but he kept telling us he would announce the results at tomorrow's banquet. I'll let you know what he says...

Also, other items Dave mentioned (some of which is already known):

1) Customer cars would be built starting at the end of this month;

2) We would be "very pleased" with the magazine test reports that are coming out in August;

3) The pistons are definitely cast aluminum;

4) He showed us examples of the various weight-saving parts on the new Z and let us handle them: titanium rod, a section of the aluminum frame, a magnesium roof connector, and a part of the suspension;

5) He also mentioned that it should be easy to adjust for large amounts of negative camber on this car due to the attachment point of the A-arms. I must admit I didn't hear this explanation in its entirety as the Speed GT cars were on the track; (Lou was 7th, I think.)

6) He also clearly explained why the roof must be fixed. He said that although the aluminum is very stiff it is NOT as stiff as the steel. With the roof bolted in place the car is stiffer and lighter than with a steel frame and a removeable roof. (He also reiterated the often stated "The ZO6 will never be a convertible" line.) Again he stated that the roof "could be removed" if someone really wanted to go through the effort but it would "be a really bad idea."

7) When asked "What happened to Torch Red?" Dave skirted the issue a little then finally shot back, "we got rid of it." (He actually said that it made the car look to flat as it reflected too much light...)

8) The best comment of the car was actually from Johnny O'Connell who said "Everyone has been asking for a super vette. Well, I've driven it. You know the expression, 'be careful what you ask for?'"


My personal observations of the ZO6 (a red one):

A) It had about 6680 miles on it but the dash to the upper right of the instrument cluster was already BADLY cracked

B) I'm not sure about the CCA of the battery but to me it looked very small (yes, I know it's in the back!)

C) The steering wheel looked SYMMETRICAL despite all of the rantings on the CF site. 04retro was going to measure it--don't know if he did--and I didn't see his post until after returning home from the track, but I didn't notice anything weird about the wheel and I know what the discussion is about.

D) There is very little clearance between the rear wheel and the brake caliper; if anyone is considering aftermarket wheels this could pose quite a problem.

E) I don't think the air inlet in the nose of the car is really going to amount to much as it is so small; it might cool the engine compartment a bit but none of that air is getting into the combustion chambers.

Overall I liked the look of the car in person better than I thought I would but I'd still need to drive it before i would consider buying one.

Any q's you want asked let me know before I go back to the track tomorrow am or the banquet tomorrow night...

Crash

ivan111

Interesting i have a couple of questions for him.....

Since the C6 has encounter some criticism about the Steering Feel being inferior to its competitors and the Z51 having too much up and down body movement

I will like you to ask him what Steering System does the Z06 has Magnasteer or a higher feedback system?

And does the Z06 suspension has much better body movement control than a Z51?

Michael A

1) What's the top speed (either their test or that of the magazines)?

2) Will GM void the warrantee if the car is caught at the track?

3) Who was the driver of the "ring" test?

Michael

Guru_4_hire

You mean I have to wait a whole 24 hours.

Booooooooo

vetteship

Thanks for sharing, great post.

Will there be a tan/cashmere color interior ?
There is no 93 octane gas in So. Cal., how will this effect the car ?
How are the brake rotor vanes facing (front or rear of car) ?

Thanks

C6z06n07

I was able to sit in the car and yes, the steering wheel is symmetrical

jazzlove

Very interesting response, but I do love the color anyway, and I wish they would bring it back!

ivan111

It would be also interesting to hear from Hill a confirmation of the C6 Z51 Ring lap time!!!!!

SWCDuke

I'm sure the final EPA mileage numbers are in. Could you please ask Dave what they are and whether Z06 beats the guzzler tax?

Also, since the tires appear to by Y-rated (186 MPH) will Z06 have a speed limiter, and if so, what will be the limited top speed. If there is no speed limiter, what is the tested top speed.

Duke

rockettc

Ask him about the Blue Devil and if it really was at the 'Ring like autoweek said it was. But ask him this after he gives the lap times for the Z06!

By the way, last year I don't think he showed up and the C6 was also a no-show. I guess he's making up for it.

TexasBlueZ06

Where is your post of the times? Hey it is Saturday night. We want the scoop from you to hear it first.

Thanks

Crash99

From Dave's mouth to my note pad:

After a long discussion on all the various times of different (Non-Corvette) cars around the ring, using 8:00 as the benchmark for "world class" performance Dave announced:

A 2005 C6 turned the 'Ring in 7:59! (yes 7:59, NOT 7:56!!)

A 2004 C5 ZO6 did it in the already known 7:56

and the 2006 ZO6, driven by Jan Magnusson drove it in........

7:43

Dave said this time was already available on the net so it was not part of the August embargo.

Also it was NOT the Blue Devil.

Let the Bench Racing begin!

Crash

Kevin93

NICE!

Shylor

I hope not! Muscle cars look so much better with Black interiors.


How do you think it will effect the car? Obviously performance will be effected to some degree but, I think the average driver will never notice it for street use.

Michael A

I think he wanted Dave Hill to answer this, with a numerical response to the horsepower loss.

LTC Z06

7:43 awesome time!

Shylor

I understand but again, it's not like the average person would notice the difference for street use.

Patrick McDaniel

I understand the 7:43 was a C6Z06.Did you ask if the "Blue Devil" does exist?

Thanks for your report!!!

SuperFast80

Wow! That is an f-in amazing time!

Guru_4_hire

Not bad for a car with a leaf spring.