The Corvette Z06 you see here is not your average 'vette. This much is obvious from first sight, as the unpainted carbon fiber body panels can attest. No, this Z06 has been built by an Italian tuning firm known as Romeo Ferraris, one that is better known for foreign iron.
RF not only added the carbon fiber panels to ensure a wicked look and less weight, they also performed some additional modifications so it can keep up with big brother ZR1. A supercharger adorns the top of the 7.0 liter LS7, resulting in 667hp and 607 lb-ft of torque. 62mph comes in 3.3 seconds and top speed is 211 mph.
Additional modifications include a centrifugal compressor, high flow injectors, aluminum intercooler, and custom exhaust. Brakes are massive 380mm/6-pot on the front and 345/4-pot on the back.
The idea of letting customers build their own engines is pure genius in today's personalized and individual obsessed world. And this is exactly what Chevrolet is going to make happen, for future owners of a Corvette Z06 or ZR1 in the 2011 model year.
The LS7 and LS9 engines used in these respective models are already hand assembled at Performance Build Center (PBC) in Wixom, MI by a single technician. When assembly is complete, a name plaque is is applied. This makes it an excellent platform for letting customers assemble the engines themselves.
But don't think that doing part of the work in building your own Corvette will allow you a discount on the purchase price. Chevrolet is looking to charge around $5,800 for this experience, not including travel. But if you are willing to shell out the money, you get the bragging rights and unique experience that come with it.
Press Release
Build Your Own Engine Option Offered to Corvette Enthusiasts
Exclusive Program Lets Customers Help Create Their Own Corvette
DETROIT – For enthusiasts who want to be personally involved in creating their Corvette, Chevrolet's new Corvette Engine Build Experience allows them to literally build the engine for their new car.
In what is believed to be the world's most hands-on super car program, customers who order a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 can choose an option to help assemble their cars' LS7 or LS9 engines at General Motors' Performance Build Center (PBC) in Wixom, Mich.
"Corvette owners are some of the most passionate – and most involved – enthusiasts in the industry," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet marketing. "The Corvette Engine Build Experience offers customers an unprecedented opportunity to participate, hands on, in creating the car."
In addition to building their own engines, Corvette buyers can attend driving school in Arizona or Nevada, take delivery of their vehicles at the National Corvette Museum or watch their vehicles being built at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky.
"In a way, this is a dream program for a Corvette customer. I would have jumped at the chance to build the 427 in my '67 'Vette, and that didn't have half of what goes into one of these modern precision engines," said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, Global Product Operations. "Today's LS7 and LS9 Corvette engines are pinnacle achievements in engineering, and to personally involve our customers in their final creation shows the depth of Chevrolet's commitment to make lasting connections with the customer."
The Engine Build Experience is an option with a suggested retail price of $5,800. When a customer selects the PBC option for a 2011 Corvette Z06 or ZR1 and the dealer submits the order to Chevrolet, a special concierge contacts the customer to verify participation and help coordinate arrangements. While travel arrangements to and from Metro Detroit are the customer's responsibility, the Chevrolet concierge helps schedule the engine build; coordinates the customer's activities at the Performance Build Center; assists with booking local lodging and meals, and arranges local transportation.
At the PBC, the customer doesn't merely view the engine's assembly; he or she builds it under the supervision of and support from skilled technicians. When the engine is assembled, a personalized nameplate is added to the engine next to the builder's name. It is then sent to the Corvette assembly plant for installation in the customer's car.
The Corvette Engine Build Experience is possible because of the hand-assembly processes used at the 100,000-square-foot PBC. Technicians hand-build the Corvette Z06's LS7 7.0L engine, the Corvette ZR1's 6.2L supercharged LS9 engine and a variation of the Corvette Grand Sport's LS3 6.2L engine. The PBC incorporates the best practices of low-volume niche manufacturers and the established quality and manufacturing standards at GM to ensure the highest-quality specialized engines.
Like all engines assembled at the PBC, Engine Build Experience engines are covered by Chevrolet's five year / 100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty.
The Engine Build experience is the latest program Chevrolet offers for Corvette owners. Other programs include: Corvette plant tour, where customers can follow their vehicle down the Bowling Green assembly line Corvette Museum delivery, where customers take delivery of their new Corvette at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Corvette ZR1 Driving School, which offers complimentary attendance at either Bob Bondurant's Corvette Driving School in Arizona, or Ron Fellows' Corvette Performance Driving School near Las Vegas.
"Simply put, no other sports car manufacturer can match the level of personal customer involvement that Corvette offers," Campbell said. "The Corvette Engine Build Experience takes this personal involvement to an unprecedented level."
For more information, see facebook.com/corvette.
About Chevrolet Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly" solutions, such as the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model that is expected to deliver up to an estimated 40 mpg highway, and 2011 Chevrolet Volt that will offer up to 40 miles of electric driving and an additional 300 miles of extended range with the onboard generator (based on GM testing). Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.chevrolet.com/"www.chevrolet.com.
Geiger Cars is the mastermind behind this in your face, lime green, 890 hp Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The same company that brought you creations like the Gulf-Wing Hummer and the Santa-style H2 have turned their attention to American muscle once again and have introduced an abundance of new performance parts for the Z06. The twin turbo package includes a bump in displacement to 7.6 liters and upgraded cylinder heads, valve springs, cams, a larger mass air meter, and a less-restrictive exhaust system in addition to the dual turbochargers. The result is an impressive 890horsepower and 694 lb-ft torque, as well as a reported top speed of 220 mph. The drivetrain has been beefed up accordingly with a sturdier twin-disc clutch and a carbon fiber driveshaft. PRESS RELEASE:
Who ever had the possibility to drive a Corvette Z06 never complained about the engine power for sure. After all, the US- American sport-car-icon is already powered by a series seven-liter-V8 engine with 512 hp. Even expert drivers should be careful behind the wheel of this steam hammer, novice drivers should definitely not get behind the wheel of the Z06. Only a madman would want to increase the output of this fast car significant. Karl Geiger from Munich is such a madman.
To be able to increase the output of an internal-combustion engine substantially there are basically three king ways: more cubic capacity, a charge using a turbocharger or compressor as well as classic tuning in the form of the modification of locomotive engine parts as well as the supplying of fuel and air. GeigerCars.de has a long time experience in all of these divisions this is why Karl Geiger decided to go all three ways for the ultimate engine on base of the Corvette Z06. The thought of the final outcome is going to make the mouth water of hp-freaks. But one step at a time.
Pure Power
The Geiger Bi-Turbo power package covers a flaring of the cubic capacity up to impressive 7.6 litre. Modifications are made to the engine block, to the cylinder heads and the crank motions. Geiger employed amplified insert springs, spring cups made of titanium, sport camshafts as well as a 100 mm air mass flow meter. The dampers and the induction tract have been dealt with. The cores of the engine tuning are the two high performance turbocharger, which blow air in the combustor. And because everything that comes in in the front has to get out in the back, GeigerCars.de installed a sport exhaust system with four end pipes, each one as thick as an arm, and sport catalysts.
The paper mould of the cubic capacity giant is already more then impressive: unbelievable 890 hp at 6.100 U/min as well as 940 Nm at 4.500 tours shows the data sheet. The maximum speed is about 354 km/h. However, only the driving experience makes one comprehend what the numbers on the paper really mean. I do know what I am talking about. With an angry thunder and fizzle the Bi-Turbo-Corvette answers every gas blow with an unbelievable thrust, which seems to have the possibility to cause a whiplash injury. Pure poison! Karl Geiger has chosen his distinctive Geiger Green colour for this wild animal not without cause.
Carbon fibre drive chain
Of course there is not used a serial Z06 drive chain. Built in is a boosted transmission as well as a two-disc-transmission made of carbon in combination with a cardan shaft made of carbon. Shaft drives and differential gear were boosted as well.
A further challenge is the diversity of the engine power on the street. Geiger hoisted in the front 285/30 an in the back 345/25 tires on bright black coated rims. Behind the rim star appears a high performance brake system with grooved 380x32 mm brake discs and 6-piston-back gauges in the front and 355x32 mm discs and 4-piston back gauges in the back. The Geiger sport undercarriage contains sport shock absorber with 16-fold adjustable compression, tighter compound springs as well as stabilizers for font and back axle.
Rendered broad
As usual Geiger used the in-house GT-Kit for the Corvette – car body. The bug and the rear show a completely new and brawny appearance. The louvred in the black hood not just look spectacular but also serve a technical purpose: they guard against thermal indispositions of the turbo engine.
