Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides

Super-Vette unleashed alongside racing cousin at Detroit

By Shahzad Sheikh

Forget all the teaser stuff and BS speculation, the all-new almighty 2015 Corvette Z06 has debuted at the Detroit Auto Show – and here are the facts!

• First Z06 to get supercharged engine, removable roof panel
• LT4 6.2-litre supercharged V8 delivers ‘at least’ 625bhp and 635lb ft of torque
• New 1.7-litre Eaton R1740 TVS Supercharger spins at up to 20,000rpm – 5000 more than ZR1’s unit

• 7-speed manual with Active Rev Match or
• 8-speed paddle shift auto developed by GM – Chevy is even taking a dig at Porsche claiming that the full-throttle upshifts are up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than the dual-clutch transmission in the 911

• Performance Package adds downforce, Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tyres, Brembo Carbon Ceramic-matrix brake rotors
• Z07 Performance Pack delivers faster lap times than 2013 ZR1
• Launch control available in Track Mode

• Active handling is a competitive electronic stability control setting for Track Mode for on-track conditions
• Performance Traction Management in Track Mode offers five settings of torque reduction and brake intervention for track driving
• Electronic Limited Slip Differential eLSD to split the torque between the rear wheels

• ‘The beast needed more of everything’ – flared fenders for larger, wider wheels and tyres. Larger vents for more cooling to the engine, brakes, transmission and differential. Aero package generates downforce and improved cornering grip.
• 19-inch lightweight wheels on the front and 20s on the back

• Standard Z06 features a front splitter, spats around the front wheel opening, unique carbon fibre bonnet with a larger vent, and the rear spoiler from the Corvette Stingray’s Z51 Performance Package

• Carbon-fibre aero package – in either black or a visible carbon-fibre finish – adds a carbon fibre front splitter with aviation-style winglets, carbon fibre rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler with a fixed wickerbill – a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce

• Z07 package adds larger winglets to the front splitter, along with an adjustable, see-through center section on the rear spoiler for track use. With this package, the Corvette Z06 delivers the most aerodynamic downforce of any production car that GM has tested

Meanwhile the C7.R racing edition also debuts and has been developed alongside the Z06, sharing chassis, engine technologies and aerodynamics. It makes its competition debut at the 52nd Rolex 24 at Daytona on 25 Jan.

The road-going Z06 available from early 2015 – we can’t wait!