I guess that theoretical letter should really be addressed to the owners of ZR1s, shouldn’t it? When the ZR1′s 638 horsepower showed up, it was miles above the Z06′s 505. Now, the Z06 was naturally aspirated, so it didn’t have the gene that is susceptible to heat soak (thus, in my eyes, making it the better choice for track use). But numbers get attention, and more numbers get more attention. 638>505, so the internet clapped its hands for the ZR1. To be fair, it was an excrement-load of power. Few cars had over 600HP, and those that did cost about half a million bucks.

But, as is true with iPhones and Firewire cables, the new generation of is here and it makes the ZR1 useless to own.

The 2015 Z06 will have 650HP, and 650 torques. Holy. Moly.

Read more on the 6SpeedOnline blog here!

 

First post ehh??


Great article, I think the new blown LT4 used in the new C7 Z06Z07 will be easily accepted. I wonder if it loses some appeal due to a lower redline than the LS7; which is an absolute demon under acceleration.

I for one if I had money to burn would buy this new Z06 Z07, and would love it with all the improvements it brings. I'm sure it will a very capable car, which will make a legend for itself; in spite of having a rear end that looks like my 2011 2SS RS Camaro.... The second post makes a point; but neither the C7 Z06 (or the C6 Z06) will ever be embarrassed by a Miata; unless you're completely inept and turn off all the nannies - which is my favorite setting for them. It just takes a little talent to do toe to heel on the clutch-gas pedal. I've found that the C6 7100 rpm redline has more than once interfered with my shift in my 2-SSRS as I hit the rev limiter due to shifting by sound rather than watching the tach in the HUD. I'd hope they have at least 6800 rpm in the boosted C7 Z06.

That said: as a 2009 C6 Z06 3LZ owner, I'll fess up to loving the LS7 NA as built. However I think an affordable alternative is to have ERL put a Super Deck 1 truss on your L7 block, and replace its liners with ductile steel to make a more capable LS7 aluminum block for blown applications - all while spending less than the cost of the C7 Z06 Z07. You end up with a car capable of 1600 to 2300 hp; and will have to manage the boost applied in each gear to keep the power levels at useful levels while preventing the car from becoming a spinmeister especially in the first 2 or 3 gears. In doing this you will realize a car that Chevrolet will never build; .... a car exceeding 900 HP like Porsche has in the hybrid electric gasoline 918.

This at least is this C6 Z06 owners plan; as it costs less to mod my current paid-for 2300 mile car than to spend the $110K to $120K it will cost to own this car. Also since many folks will say it won't cost that much once they're at the dealers... many dealers will be charging a premium in the first year or two - and the best prices you'll find will still exceed $105K.....so good luck all of you early adopters.

 

I think Zack pretty well nailed this one on all counts. Heck of a machine, but there are not a lot of drivers who can make use of that kind of power...and there *are* a lot of drivers who will get embarrassed by Miatas despite all that power.

Likewise hard to argue with the point about forced versus natural induction.

 

Unless it is very differentiated from any other Corvette not much interest. Consider the worth of a Shelby GT 350 Mustang.