What the C7.R Z06 Corvette Should Have Been

Since our lambasting of the C7.R Special Edition went live, a lot of you guys have been chiming in on what Chevy got right with this package, and of course what they got wrong. I have been looking through the thread and lot of you guys share similar thoughts to my own on what GM could have done to this rare Corvette.

Let’s start with the go-faster bits. While I said I would like to see more power, I can accept why they didn’t want to do that. The Z06 is already monstrously powerful, and it far exceeds the power of the actual race car, plus with the added complications that come with more emissions testing it just wouldn’t be worth the trouble. That said, there is nothing that stopped them from cutting weight and improving cooling.

Take a page out of Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Porsche’s book. Thinner carpets, less sound deadening, thinner glass, a removal of some equipment, like the stereo even, would all add up. Hell, Chevy already does this for the Camaro Z/28, so why is the “race-inspired” Corvette unworthy of such treatment? If GM could cut around 150 pounds, that would give them more weight to play with so they could add a larger radiator. Perhaps this special car could also get a slightly larger grille for better airflow. The larger radiator and coolant capacity would add weight, but with the lighter glass and removed stereo, things should even out. This would all amount to a Z06 that is better on a track, more aggressive-looking, and it would justify the name a little better.

A few of the other suggestions include a larger rear wing for a racier aero setup, the option for carbon or steel rotors for track duty, and strengthening the chassis by using a fixed roof over the removable panel. Some people would also like to see the PDR as standard, which also makes sense.

I don’t think anyone is calling the C7.R Special Edition slow — we are just calling it disappointing. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Lamborghini Aventador SV, Ferrari 458 Speciale and Dodge Viper TA are just some of the cars that have those small extra improvements in weight, speed, or aero to make them truly special. We know the Z06 is one of the greatest cars ever made, and I personally hate to see such a powerful platform squandered on sticker packages when there is still so much untapped potential.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>