More C6 info
Thread Starter
Prominent Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,282
More C6 info
Courtesy of JeffY at the SS Owner's Board (Jeff worked on the C4 & C5 Programs and recently worked for SLP)
Details are emerging about the all-new, 2005 C6 (sixth generation) Corvette that will be introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Though the new chassis is now shared with another car (the Cadillac XLR luxury sports car) for the first time in Corvette history - the two cars have distinctly different missions and differ substantially from each other. The new Corvette is five inches shorter than the C5 in overall length but retains the same interior room. The overall road presence of the new C6 exterior design and stance is improved dramatically – certainly enough to make C5 owners drool over it and feel compelled to get one. But the new car should turn heads of non-Corvette-owning enthusiasts, too, because of its improved quality, upscale interior materials and outstanding performance capability. The standard 6.0-liter V-8 will now deliver 400HP and around 400 lb-ft of torque, just under the 405HP figure of the current ultra-performance Z06 C5. The front tires will be 245/40ZR 18s, mounted on 8.5" wheels. The rears will be 285/35ZR 19s, mounted on 10.0" wheels. The Z51 Option for '05 will include bigger brakes with cross-drilled rotors, specifically tweaked tires, gear ratios, springs, shocks and sway bars, plus an engine oil cooler and a power-steering cooler for serious off-road performance work. Other details: the HUD on the new car will have a built-in G-meter, a power top will finally be available (long overdue) on the convertible, and a six CD in-dash changer will be an option, as will an onboard navigation system. There's no official confirmation (yet), but there's also a "super" C6 rumored to be on the way with 600+HP (with assistance from McLaren engines). This super C6 will take Corvette's classic performance-value-for-the-dollar equation to new heights and could potentially embarrass all of the other high-priced supercars from around the globe in the process. The "super" C6 will cost more than the standard car by a bunch, but it may still come in at "around" $100,000, undercutting even the Ford GT in cost. And its performance is said to be simply mind-boggling, making even hardcore enthusiasts weak in the knees. The "super" C6 will not appear before mid-2006 at the earliest, but it may be considered enough of a milestone car in the pantheon of great Corvettes to wear the storied "ZL1" designation
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Additional backup of the ZL1 rumors...
It will be interesting to see a potential 3 engine lineup in Corvette, that hasn't been seen for decades!
Base Corvette. 400ish hp.
"Z06"-type car. 500ish hp.
"ZL1"-type car. 600ish hp.
It will be interesting to see a potential 3 engine lineup in Corvette, that hasn't been seen for decades!
Base Corvette. 400ish hp.
"Z06"-type car. 500ish hp.
"ZL1"-type car. 600ish hp.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,072
From: Lilburn, GA, USA
Originally posted by Darth Xed
Additional backup of the ZL1 rumors...
It will be interesting to see a potential 3 engine lineup in Corvette, that hasn't been seen for decades!
Base Corvette. 400ish hp.
"Z06"-type car. 500ish hp.
"ZL1"-type car. 600ish hp.
Additional backup of the ZL1 rumors...
It will be interesting to see a potential 3 engine lineup in Corvette, that hasn't been seen for decades!
Base Corvette. 400ish hp.
"Z06"-type car. 500ish hp.
"ZL1"-type car. 600ish hp.
Also, I like the G meter, that's a cool little extra. Also of note, the different gear ratios and cross drilled rotors. All the other stuff in the Z51 package is not new, I think. It's going to be a beast.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 576
From: Houston, TX
600HP.... they better have dual anchors attached near the rear sides to stop that beast... 
that sounds like it would "suck the doors off" the Viper and Ford GT. I wonder what Colleti will do now...especially since the big guns are behind him all the way.
that sounds like it would "suck the doors off" the Viper and Ford GT. I wonder what Colleti will do now...especially since the big guns are behind him all the way.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,022
From: Newhall, CA USA
Originally posted by guionM
600hp!
It's enough to raise the question: What constitutes too much?
600hp!
It's enough to raise the question: What constitutes too much?
Bring it on. Finally, a GM car that I will buy!
Seriously, with all the modern electronanny stuff they stick on cars these days, 600 horsepower really isn't uncontrollable or ridiculous.
You want ridiculous, spend some time on corvetteforum.com in the C2 section, where there are people with 800WHP big-blocks running with 245 tires under STOCK fenderwells. Without traction control, stability control, ABS, or even an airbag. On nearly 40-year-old suspension and frame technology. Now, THAT is crazy.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,463
From: SoCal
Good news indeed and the 6.0L tidbit makes more sence. Wonder if the 3 valve rumors are still true?
A "base" C6 6.0L 400hp/400tq Gen IV motor would really garner the 05 GTO some much needed respect......
A "base" C6 6.0L 400hp/400tq Gen IV motor would really garner the 05 GTO some much needed respect......
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
I'm a little surprised about the convertible being power operated. When the C5 was introduced it was said that the convertible was a manual to save weight. So the C6 ditches pop-up headlights in the never-ending quest to "reduce unnecessary complexity and weight" and adds a much heavier power top motor to the package? Hmmmm....
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 209
I'll take the power top over the power headlights any time. The pop-up headlights are purely form over function, and are really unnecesary weight. The power top is useful, and a selling feature. Remember the average age of a Corvette buyer is fairly high. For the money spent on a convertable Vette, a power top is expected from this market segment.
Besides, most of the weight is already there in the convertable top mechanism. Adding a power actuator is maybe a few more pounds.
Besides, most of the weight is already there in the convertable top mechanism. Adding a power actuator is maybe a few more pounds.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Originally posted by PGR
I'll take the power top over the power headlights any time. The pop-up headlights are purely form over function, and are really unnecesary weight.
I'll take the power top over the power headlights any time. The pop-up headlights are purely form over function, and are really unnecesary weight.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,531
Originally posted by Z28Wilson
While I don't necessarily disagree with you, I got the impression from Dave Hill a while back that weight cutting was one of the primary goals on C6; Styling, function, and everything else be damned.
While I don't necessarily disagree with you, I got the impression from Dave Hill a while back that weight cutting was one of the primary goals on C6; Styling, function, and everything else be damned.
