Future Car Trends: Corvette Z06 in Depth (Europe)

Page 1: Summary
Page 2: Exterior / Interior
Page 3: Performance
Page 4: Body Structure / Chassis
Page 5: Born on the Track
Page 6: Specifications

Expressive exterior design and interior comfort

The exterior styling of the Corvette Z06 combines the classic cues and expressive new design of the sixth-generation Corvette, with an unmistakable and aggressive appearance. On the inside, the Z06 is designed to be a daily drivable high-performance vehicle, with surprising levels of comfort, refinement and equipment

As with all models in the sixth generation Corvette range, the Z06 model’s styling combines classic cues, exemplified by the classic ‘mid-year’ Corvettes of 1963 through 1967, with an expressive new design featuring the classic ‘egg crate’ grille. Combined with a shortened front overhang in comparison with older models, the front fenders are both more rounded and more sharply defined, contributing to a more taut, purposeful front-end design, while bold, simple, rear end styling emphasizes the shortened rear overhang.

Unmistakable appearance

The Z06 has an unmistakable and aggressive appearance of its own. Design cues include a wide front fascia with a large, forward-facing grille opening, a splitter along the bottom and ‘Gurney lips’ along the sides to provide aerodynamic downforce. Exposed HID Xenon lighting is used, which additionally offers the advantages of lower weight, less complexity and superior lighting performance. A cold air scoop in front of the hood is integrated with the air inlet system for the engine, while the trailing edge of the front wheel opening is radiused to achieve improved drag, but protects the body finish with a tough molding, and a large air extractor is located behind the wheel.

The aerodynamics of the Z06’s exterior are shaped by the experiences of the Corvette racing program, where high-speed stability and cornering capability are paramount. While the race cars use large rear wings, the Z06 has a more subtle elevated spoiler which still provides sufficient downforce to balance the front splitter without adversely affecting aerodynamic drag. The Z06’s Cd is 0.31. The rear spoiler additionally houses the central high mounted stop light on the top of the rear deck.

Other distinctive identifiers for the Z06 include 10-spoke wheels cast-spun aluminium wheels with the largest wheel-and-tyre combination ever offered on a Corvette. The front 18 x 9.5-inch wheels carry 275/35ZR18 tyres and rear 19 x 12-inch rims with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear. The tires use the latest extended-mobility technology from Goodyear to eliminate the need – and weight – for a spare tire and jack or inflator kit, while also reducing the chance of a sudden loss of handling capability.

Wider rear fenders with flares cover the massive rear tires and a brake cooling scoop in front of the wheels visually balances the fender extractor, while four round tail lamps continue as a Corvette rear styling trademark, matched by four circular stainless-steel exhaust tips which are integrated into the rear diffuser to continue the circular theme established by the tail lamps. Of larger diameter than other Corvette models, these tailpipes provide the final, and most likely to be seen, visual identifier for the Z06.

Interior comfort

For all its race-inspired functionality, the Z06 is designed to be a daily drivable high-performance vehicle. To that end, comfort and convenience are a high priority. HID lighting, fog lamps, leather seating, dual-zone air conditioning, cabin air filtration and head-up display (HUD) with track mode and g-meter are all standard-fit items.

A Corvette hallmark, the dual cockpit design theme, continues in the interior of the Z06. Efficient packaging and a relatively long wheelbase ensure plenty of interior space and class-leading cargo space that can swallow two golf bags.

Head-up display

The menu-selectable head-up display can be projected onto the windshield in the line of sight on the road ahead, allowing the driver to focus on driving while still being able to monitor vehicle speed and other critical vehicle information. There are two settings: Street and Track; each setting is pre-programmed to display information relevant for each respective use, including g-forces.

In Street mode, the driver can select between several configurations that feature the speedometer and the turn signal indicators, then add other information such as audio system data, automatic transmission gear position and high-beam indicator. In Track mode, there is a larger tachometer, a speedometer, engine condition gauges, and a real-time lateral accelerometer that samples and displays the maximum ‘g-force’ experienced during a turn. The HUD uses LCD pixels to construct the alphanumeric characters and graphics, allowing the HUD to change size and shape.

The Z06 instrument panel has a revised gauge cluster that displays the Z06 logo on the 7000-redline tachometer and has a new readout on the oil pressure gauge to reflect the higher standard pressure of the dry-sump oiling system. While the analog gauges may appear traditional, the technology used to illuminate them is definitely cutting edge. Using new white LED technology, the gauges are backlit both day and night for a better contrast ratio, even in direct-sun conditions.

The driver information centre utilizes organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. OLEDs make possible full-color, full-motion flat-panel displays with a level of brightness and sharpness not possible with other technologies and will be essential to the next wave of personal electronics such as PDAs, cell phones, and flat-screen TVs. Unlike traditional liquid-crystal displays OLEDs are self-luminous and do not require backlighting, eliminating bulky and environmentally undesirable mercury lamps. OLEDs also enable improved readability – even in bright sunlight – and establish pleasing visual harmony with the rest of the gauges, the radio, and the HVAC controls.

Like other 2006 Corvettes, the Z06 has a smaller-diameter three-spoke steering wheel that provides a more agile, performance-oriented steering feel. Z06 equipment list includes a Bose audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer, a telescoping steering wheel, heated seats, side airbags and a navigation system with GPS.

The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim that is soft to the touch with low gloss to minimize glare. To the eye, it looks like a leather-wrapped, padded panel. To the touch, it is warm and inviting. This advanced material has double the life of conventional automotive paneling materials, resists fading and sun damage, and minimizes interior fogging, which can occur as plasticizers migrate out of the material.

However for all its comfort, engineers did sacrifice a few features in the quest for lower weight and higher performance of Z06. The seats’ side bolsters are fixed and more aggressively shaped to better hold the driver when cornering and they weigh less than standard-model seats. The passenger seat uses manual controls, saving the weight of a power-adjust motor, while the acoustic package is revised to reduce weight and allow more aural feedback of the powertrain.