Carbon Fiber is the material that most defines race cars. Even the NASCAR Impalas have carbon parts hidden under the metal. eg - That old-school carburetor is likely covered by a carbon fiber airbox.
So, the Carbon Edition and Carbon Options added to the Corvette Z06 line-up are obvious assertions to the C6R / C6 connection. And a still closer validation that Corvette Racing best defines the Corvette brand – and Corvette credibility to enthusiasts……and the general public.
While the hard parts make the difference in the improved performance of a carbon-equipped Z06, BBV loves seeing the ‘racecar-connection’ carried to the visuals with the black headlights [as, too, on last year's GT1 Edition] and black wheels that came on board in the ‘Jake scrape’ designs that CR adopted that year. Thanks.
Need to scan the updated C6 Option List to see how the most-diehard Corvette owner / Corvette Racing fan can order the ideal Corvette Racing homage – a Velocity Yellow, Carbon Option, Z06 with black headlights, black wheels. The Jake emblems are ordered here. The aftermarket [or a call to Pratt & Miller] would supply the rear wing. And, the BlackTail, while no longer on the 2010 C6R, would still find its way back on to OUR Carbon Car.
Been there, done that already with my VY'06 Z06, as pictured in my photo album and featured as cover story of 4/10 Vette magazine. Nice to see GM catch up!
--- Z06C6R from unknown on 03.13.10 at 9:54pm
Z06C6R - had the pleasure of seeing your Z06/C6R in person a few times - first at Carlisle in 08 and at Road Atlanta last year. Just awesome. I've haven't gone quite that far, but I have done a similar 'carbon' job on my 07 Z06 (see quick pic in my album) using Katech's full carbon fiber aero kit. Nice to see GM improving on their usually ho-hum 'special edition' Vettes and the option list. This one actually looks the part AND can back it up!
--- DarkKnightC6 from Aiken, SC on 03.14.10 at 11:24pm
Last comment: Z06C6R - had the pleasure of seeing your Z06/C6R in person a few times - first at Carlisle in 08 and at Road Atlanta last year. Just awesome. I've haven't gone quite that far, but I have done a similar 'carbon' job on my 07 Z06 (see quick pic in my album) using Katech's full carbon fiber aero kit. Nice to see GM improving on their usually ho-hum 'special edition' Vettes and the option list. This one actually looks the part AND can back it up! --- DarkKnightC6 from Aiken, SC on 03.14.10 at 11:24pm
* Make the new car more attractive to younger buyers. * Make the car lighter and more lithe. * Make the interior quality better. * Make the car more appealing on the global stage * Make the car sell better vs global competition.
Jake and Corvette Racing initiatives work hard to make those things happen [except for the interior help, although both P+M and BadBoyVettes have ideas!] Now, the talents of GM Design studios from all over the world have been called to action on a car this important to GM.
All good. Right? But, here’s where the trouble COULD strike. We fear SOME traditional Corvetters will be shocked by the idea of a ‘global C7’ because, “Corvette is American!”. We worry that mindsets still struggling with the loss of hidden headlights will not understand what’s happening here / what’s needed here -
* If Corvette is not careful the average buyer age will be not 54yrs, it will be DOA. If the racing is vs Porsche / BMW / Ferrari, logic says Corvette needs to ‘Take No Prisoners’ in sales, too. If young buyers only see Corvette as a 'mid-America / old-guy DreamCar', Vette will go the way of Coke [while ‘the kids’ en mass pound down their RedBulls and Monsters].
Bottom-line - Evolution and a heritage-cling may no longer be enough in today’s world.
We trust Corvette fans like Messrs. Welburn. Tom Stephens, Mark Reuss, and team to take Corvette forward while staying true to the essence of Corvette. Ed even said, "[C7] can't mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette." He’s even promised the return of the iconic split-window.
So, put the lightning rod back up on the barn, grandpa. And get ready for the best Corvette yet.
Whats wrong with going euro/younger? Wasn't the C1 brought over for young GI's back from Europe looking for a fun sports car?
--- Jon from unknown on 03.13.10 at 10:26am
I think this is a great idea. The typical person thinks the corvette is for balding men going through a midlife crisis. I am in my early 20's, bought a C5, and absolutely love the performance. My friends would rather buy imports that cost just as much but miss out on the performance. What's wrong? The image. GM needs to market the corvette has a HALO car for all generations. I honestly think that if it wasnt for Corvette Racing, I wouldnt have bought a corvette. Unfortunately, GM doesnt play up the winning traditions of Corvette Racing as much as they should.
--- Brice from CA on 03.13.10 at 11:42am
Agree with both of the above sentiments. The Corvette needs to go global but like Porsche's 911, the front-engined V8, RWD configuration should never change. It's winning races all over the world.
--- SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 03.13.10 at 1:36am
GoDug said it at the mid-ohio race, both ferrari and porsche have the engines in the rear and corvette keeps winning with a front engine rear wheel drive so what is the better set up. I do think that the brand should go global but with a unquily american design and if the stuck up prudes of europe don't like the way it looks or handles well feel free to eat our dust as we drive away in to the sunset.
--- fireball111 from unknown on 03.13.10 at 3:08pm
I'm a young guy, corvette is already attractive to me, just make C7 look cool and you've got that part. If they really want it back with the very young 20s crowd, they'd have to make it easily customizable like the riceburners and cheaper so the younger guys can afford it. I don't see that happening.
If they just do a evolution of C6 with perhaps a more adjustable suspension (no more transverse leaf springs maybe?) and a MUCH better interior, I think they'll do great with it.
--- CK from Spartanburg SC on 03.13.10 at 7:43pm
Im 21 and have been a Corvette fan for all my life. I think that thanks to the success of Corvette Racing and the power, performance and handling of the Z06 and ZR1 make Corvette's appeal to a young market better than they ever have I also think the 6th Generation vette has been the most successful in appealing to european markets. I think the C6's nailed it, it was only the interior that has been complained about, so I can imagine the C7 will push Corvette to newer levels.
--- Hunt_19 from United Kingdom on 03.14.10 at 4:54pm
My Top ten reason why corvette sales are slumping bad: #10) Employee pricing was decent for all brands except for Corvette and Saturn...What happen to the latter brand again?...#9) Who said a fuel gauge sending unit is important?...#8) GM Canada advertising for Corvette (TV, News Papers, Radio)...$0 for has long I can remenber (C3 gen)...#7) CIA reports claim Taliban forces infiltrated electrical circuit suppliers for the Corvettes to power by remote control Microwave communication to and from Yemen, draining's the cars batteries... #6) GM Canada: " who's Ron Fellows?...#5) Who knew the Corvettes interior was made from recycled plastic?...#4) Corvette need to be 4WD to be elligible for the Flex fuel (E85) option (GM Detroit)...#3) If Porsche can do a 2+2 with 911 at 3300 pounds why can't Chevrolet do it with corvette?...#2) When corvette crosses north of the border, its retail value hikes 25%...even when CAN$ is at parity with USD$... WOW that was a good NAFTA aggreement from the '80s... And I forgot to add shipping charges to the 25%...#1) GM found a replacement for Corvette, It's the camaro LOL...
--- Zonker from Montreal on 03.15.10 at 8:14am
Oops #8 Advertising budget..
--- Zonker from Montreal on 03.15.10 at 8:22am
Last comment: Oops #8 Advertising budget.. --- Zonker from Montreal on 03.15.10 at 8:22am
Corvette and GM PR are working hard to get the production car / race car confluence story out to the people. Autoblog steps up with a great read about Corvette Racing.
Three challenge questions for BBV fans and members alike. Why were the C6Rs built with no rear window (Like a shag van)? Second, does a camera replace the centre rearview mirror? 3rd, keeping with the read end theme: Jake is suspiciously plastered next to a "Turn 10" sticker. Which track is the intended reference? LOL...
--- Zonker from Montral on 03.08.10 at 2:40am
The Turn 10 Sebring. ..but it has come to represent all of our tracks, We have Turn 10 campers at Road America, St. Pete, Road Atlanta (in the woods) For me it has come to represent all of us hanging on the fences whatching the cars go by...
--- Lee from Florida on 03.08.10 at 9:05am
There are a few pictures of what looks like a P-M mockup of a Corvette-based LMP car. Any details on that program? Or it's just an exercise?
--- SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 03.08.10 at 3:55pm
@ SYF- the mockup was made around 2006-2007 and GM didnt want to fund a P1/P2 effort because it would not reflect the product as well as the new GT2 car would.
And the reason the rear window is blacked out is because there is a firewall behind the drivers so there would be no use for it. Thats why the camera replaces the rear-view mirror. It also works better because the camera is lower down and the wing isnt in the way so P1/P2 traffic is easily identified.
--- 85L98 from Chicago on 03.08.10 at 5:27pm
The Mockup LMP based vette looks awesome though! Maybe one day Corvette will race in a LMP class... For now GT is the way :)
--- BBVFan from Denmark on 03.09.10 at 3:11am
Last comment: The Mockup LMP based vette looks awesome though! Maybe one day Corvette will race in a LMP class... For now GT is the way :) --- BBVFan from Denmark on 03.09.10 at 3:11am
Chevy Racing and Corvette Racing are going to document this all-important 2010 GT2 season with a series of videos over the year. This is the first / the Preview.
Damn. If that doesn't get you fired up for the 2010 season as a CR fan, better check your pulse.
Let's do this.
--- SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 03.04.10 at 4:38am
I can't wait until Sebring. It's been a long winter in Iowa and I'm looking forward to Team Corvette kicking some Flying Lizard butt.
--- bonz from mason city, ia on 03.04.10 at 9:35am
Last comment: I can't wait until Sebring. It's been a long winter in Iowa and I'm looking forward to Team Corvette kicking some Flying Lizard butt. --- bonz from mason city, ia on 03.04.10 at 9:35am
Sebring is first.
But, this year's Le Mans will be special for Corvette as it will be the 50th Anniversary of the first visit. The Cummingham C1 Vettes [and the oft forgotten Camoradi entry] made the trip, the Cunningham #3 car finishing 1st in GT 5.0, 8th overall.
Z06C6R - had the pleasure of seeing your Z06/C6R in person a few times - first at Carlisle in 08 and at Road Atlanta last year. Just awesome. I've haven't gone quite that far, but I have done a similar 'carbon' job on my 07 Z06 (see quick pic in my album) using Katech's full carbon fiber aero kit. Nice to see GM improving on their usually ho-hum 'special edition' Vettes and the option list. This one actually looks the part AND can back it up!
--- DarkKnightC6 from Aiken, SC on 03.14.10 at 11:24pm