More
Refinement...
Interior
sound isolation has been improved on all Corvettes with
the addition of expandable foam and/or new seals in strategic
areas.
A
new convertible top provides better sealing, better sound
isolation and a smoother appearance.
•Chrome-flashed
tips to improve exhaust outlet appearance
•Slimmer
remote-function key fobs
•New
availability of electrochromic driver's-side and inside
rear view mirrors
Two
new paint colors are available for 2001 - Speedway White
replaces the former Arctic White, and Quicksilver replaces
Sebring Silver.
A new Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery, sometimes referred
to as a "starve" battery, - which is lighter and
more durable than the current Corvette battery - becomes
the standard battery on all Corvette models.
In the AGM battery fiberglass mats are impregnated with
electrolyte, then compressed along with the lead plates
into a sealed and well-reinforced case. The resulting more-compact
battery is capable of being run down and recharged more
often than a common lead acid battery, has better heat resistance
and is 5.7 pounds lighter than the battery it replaces.
On
the Z06, both the windshield and backlight have been thinned
to save weight, but resistance to stone chipping has been
maintained. A total of 5.7 pounds was eliminated. There
is some loss of interior noise isolation as a result, but
in a car like the Z06 this may not prove to be a "turn-off"
because the additional sound level inside tends to put driver
and passenger more in tune with the machine. There are "good"
noises and "bad" noises, and real enthusiasts
know the difference.
Reducing
the Z06's weight by more than 36 pounds overall, boosting
its power output by 40 hp, and broadening its operating
range, made a significant improvement in the car's power-to-weight
ratio. The result puts it in some every good company, as
indicated below:
Power-to-Weight
Ratio Comparison
| |
Mass |
HP |
LBS/HP |
| 2000
BMW M |
2899 |
240 |
12.1 |
| 2000
Audi TT |
2655 |
225 |
11.8 |
| 2000
Porsche Boxster |
2855 |
250 |
11.4 |
| 1999
C5 Coupe |
3250 |
345 |
9.42 |
| 1995
Corvette ZR-1 |
3535 |
405 |
8.73 |
| 1999
Porsche GT3 |
2975 |
360 |
8.26 |
| 2000
Ferrari Modena |
3241 |
395 |
8.21 |
| 2000
Porsche Turbo |
3400 |
415 |
8.19 |
| 2001
Corvette Z06 |
3133 |
385 |
8.13 |
| 1999
Dodge Viper |
3380 |
450 |
7.51 |
Having
the best of both worlds - reduced weight and increased power
- the Corvette Z06 will be a force to be reckoned with,
on or off the track.
"When
you think about how fast we were with the C5 over the C4,"
Mike Neal says, "and how much faster the Z06 is than
the C5, it's obvious that this isn't just a little tweak."
Other
Z06 Refinements
The
Z06 receives several other refinements in addition to its
unique engine, suspension, wheels and tires that either
help it to be more functional or serve to differentiate
its appearance -sometimes both.
•Functional
air inlets in the center of the front fascia that deliver
cool air to the intake system.
•New air scoops on the rear rocker panels funnel
air to the rear brakes for better cooling. Z06 rear brake
temperatures are reduced by as much as 10 percent under
competition conditions. Brake fade and wear are greatly
reduced.
•Z06 emblems are placed on the front fenders.
•Front disc brake calipers on the Z06 are painted
Red.
Inside,
the Z06 includes a different instrument cluster with stylized
graphics imparting a greater sense of performance and speed,
as well as signifying the car's new higher 6,500 rpm redline.
The Z06's solid-black leather-trimmed seating surfaces include
additional side bolstering to hold driver and passenger
firmly in place during high lateral load maneuvers, and
a Z06 logo is embroidered into the headrests. An optional
interior with Torch Red accents on the seats, lower instrument
panel and lower door panel is also available.
In
the spacious glove box all Corvettes owners will find a
portfolio and a video that explains how (and how not) to
use the car. The Z06 comes with its own portfolio, covering
the features that are unique to it.
The
Z06 video features quotes from well-known enthusiasts and
automotive writers, and it also provides valuable tips on
how to drive the car, including an interview with John Heinricy
The
video also provides technical information regarding special
GM High-Performance service parts that have been released
for the car - like special brake pads, additional chassis
enhancements and a transmission oil cooler - plus other
valuable competition information. There is even information
on driving schools where owners can go to learn to race,
or hone their existing skills.
Corvette
Testing
Every GM car and truck is subjected to stringent durability
test schedules, some of the toughest in the industry, and
Corvettes go through all of them. Then the fun begins...
Corvette
has a well-earned reputation for being a car that you can
drive out of the showroom and onto the racetrack with little
or no modification. To protect that reputation, Corvette
engineers do things to the car that would probably curl
the hair of the average (and frequently fussy) Corvette
owner.
All
test Corvettes, not just the Z06, undergo 250-miles of full-bore
autocross testing, 24-hours of road course testing at competition
speeds, and a grueling wide-open throttle test that has
the car being run at its 175-mph top speed until the gas
tank runs dry - about 30 minutes later.
During
these added test procedures vehicle systems are carefully
monitored for any signs of weakness. Following the testing
the cars are disassembled and carefully inspected for signs
of wear. None of these tests or procedures are required
- unless you want to go on producing the world's finest
high-performance sports car.
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