If you thought that in order to get a hand built high performance engine you have to break the bank for a high end Mercedes Benz AMG model then you are mistaken. That is because America’s favorite sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette’s 21st century small block V8 uses the same one builder one engine methodology at GMs Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan. This allows the master craftsman to take their time and meticulously prepare and then put together the high performance power plants that will eventually go into the wide bodied Grand Sport, the 505 HP Z06 and even supercharged ZR-1 Corvette super car. So the next time you are thinking about high performance high quality hand crafted machinery, just know that you con find it right here in the good old U.S. of A.
German tuners are well known for going over the top in terms of both speed and style when it comes to their own brand of custom car tuning and this latest creation from LOMA Performance is overflowing with both. Seeing the beauty of America’s favorite sports car LOMA has chosen a stock base model Chevrolet Corvette as the foundation for the C6.BlackforceOne, a limited edition, wide body, high speed machine that will be unveiled at the Essen Motor Show. Getting the customized Corvette’s stance perfect required about four inches of carbon fiber jutting out horizontally from all four wheel arches, once LOMA had the body sitting just right they went to work on the small block under the hood.
When they were done the BlackforceOne was left with a twin turbocharged V8 that produces an astounding 780 HP, now that is like adding a whole HondaK Series engine to the already impressive Corvette ZR1 halo car. The tuners at LOMA feels that in the world of high performance tuning that speed is the ultimate status symbol, so aside from blistering acceleration they also wanted their modified bow tie to be able to achieve a tremendous top speed. Not only can the C6.BlackForceOne sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds but it won’t stop until it reaches 205 MPH. Production of the LOMA Performance C6.BlackforceOne is limited to only 25 vehicles and will be available in an assortment of flat fighter jet inspired colors like Stealth matte black, Eurofighter matte gray and White Storm matte white priced at almost $285,000 each.
Superperformance has long been regarded as one of the best in creating special replicas of legendary cars. Among their creations include such legendary vehicles like the Cobra, Daytona Coupe, and the GT40. While they hold special mention as being one of the best at what they do, their latest creation trumps anything they’ve ever done before. Anybody who’s ever heard of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport knows that the car is steeped in racing lore as one of those vehicles that almost never came to fruition.
Designed by legendary Corvette engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, the 1963 Grand Sport was created out of secrecy after GM executives scoffed at the program for the original car – a car that was supposed to be purpose-built race car to win Sebring and Le Mans – and as a result, the whole program was forcibly scrapped – except for five prototypes that were already made at that time. Today, all five original cars are among the most sought-after vehicles among collectors all over the world.
The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving is located in sunny Phoenix, Arizona; however the team has picked up shop and moved to Las Vegas last week to give visitor to the SEMA Show a chance to experience what a skilled professional can do behind the wheel of a proper sports car, in this case a Z51 Chevrolet Corvette. While the Bondurant instructors traditionally hone their skills at the Firebird International Raceway, the back lot at the Las Vegas Convention center was more than sufficient for the teachers to show their passengers the finer points of car control with maneuvers like the Scandinavian flick and tire squealing tail slides.
We first saw this car when it made an appearance as Sideswipe in the hit movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and while we had an inkling as to what car would eventually be, it wasn’t until a few days ago when GM officially lifted the covers off to introduce its real name: the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept.
Developed mainly to infuse and combine design elements from iconic Stingrays of the past to create a more cutting-edge version for the future, the 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept is an eye-catcher in every sense of the word.
According to General Motors, the Corvette Stingray Concept was a project undertaken with the sole objective of taking the brand to newer heights, all while retaining its iconic legacy. So in an effort to puts some weight behind their goal, GM left no stones unturned in developing a concept that its predecessors can be proud of. Among the features found in the Corvette Stingray Concept is a clamshell hood, scissor doors, rear-view cameras with night vision enhancement, ergonomic seats, and of course, a high-performance hybrid. In addition to that, the car also comes with a state-of-the-art inertactive touch control system that allows drivers to manipulate the cars power and efficiency depending on their liking as well as use their settings to share with other people via the cars advanced telemetrics and in-car system.
With a brand that’s as esteemed as the Stingray, it would’ve been foolish for GM to not exert any and all efforts in creating a car that can live up to the legend of the iconic brand. Fortunately, GM knows better than most of us that preserving the status held by the Stingray in the annals of automotive lore is something that should never be taken lightly, and the 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept is proof of that.
Announced earlier this year, the Corvette Grand Sport has received a new accessories package for the SEMA Show. The new Heritage Package will be available for order in early 2010.
The new Corvette is painted in a new Cyber Grey exterior color and comes with: mesh inserts for the front fender vents, ZR1-style front splitter and rear spoiler, ZR1-style rocker extensions and wheel spats, tinted dark chrome fender badges, “Tech” pattern engine cover with red lettering inserts and Grand Sport logo on the hood blanket and floor mats and leather console cover.
On the interior it add a “Tech” pattern interior trim kit, racing-style pedal covers and a PAL iPod connector.
Of course the Chevrolet Corvette could not get unnoticed at the SEMA Show. Specter Werkes will present the C6 GTR Corvette, based on the Z06 model. It will be painted in BASF Pearl Blue color and will feature HRE CF40 carbon fiber wheels complemented by a matte black rear fascia.
Under the hood there is a Lingenfelter based 7.0-liter LS7 twin-turbo engine that delivers an incredible 800 hp! There will also be a StopTech STR big-brake package and Corsa exhaust system with GTR-specific exhaust tips.
America’s favorite sports car was well represented at the 2009 Miami Auto Show, aside from the Stingray concept car, Chevrolet had plenty of Corvettes on display. There were a pair of the new Grand Sport models with their wide body stance, gills in the front fenders and bespoke rolling stock; giving Corvette enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the finer points of the lineup at a fraction of the price. The 505 HP Z06 model was also on hand, wearing a new set of ten spoke rims for this year to go along with the 427 cubic inch fuel injected LS7. The only thing better than a 7.0 Liter Corvette C6 with its carbon fiber body work and hyrdro formed chassis according to GM’s design department is even more carbon fiber and an acrylic window in the hood. The window lets onlookers admire the ZR-1’s intercooler that sits on top of the supercharged 6.2 Liter LS9 small block that delivers a maximum output of 620 HP and 595 lb-ft of torque and 200+ MPH.
You might have seen this sleek C6 based concept in the big screen blockbuster Transformers 2 and was previously known as the Corvette Centennial Concept, however now we can call the Stingray by its true name. Full of cues from a bygone era like the split rear window that dates back to the original 1963 StingrayCorvette. The concept made its debut earlier this year in Chicago, but it looked as good as ever sitting in South Beach. This concept came in a close second for concept vehicle of the show, but was only edged out slightly by its Cadillac cousin’s roof mounted solar panel. However the Stingray is absolutely stunning and the word is that the next generation Corvette will draw its inspiration from this concept.
The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is hands down one of the best performance machines to come out of any American manufacturing workshop. With its lightweight fiberglass body, powerful small block V8 engine and affordable price tag the Corvette has become an American performance icon and will remain that way well on into the future. So what would make this 505 HP chunk of Detroit iron any better at 199 MPH, how about a set of new shoes?
As it comes from the factory, the Z06 is already a very sporty looking machine filled with lots of high tech go fast goodies, but with the help of the German tuners at Cargraphic the hot rod C6 Corvette can look even better. The new rollers measure 19 inches in diameter up front and 20 inches in the rear. The aftermarket racing wheels are made from forged aluminum so they will not only hold up at nearly 200 MPH, but despite their size the oversized rims weigh less than the stock units so they will actually improve the Z06’s handling. These particular Cargraphic rims are finished with a glossy black center section and feature a very tasteful polished lip, however the sky is the limit as far as color choices are concerned because Cargraphic is ready to customize their products with any shade imaginable.
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