My god... I want one - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

krwlz · 12-13-2004, 07:15 PM

The new Z06, with at least 500 horse, and 475 ftlbs... Got i got a hard on already!

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101358

Quote:

Out of the Bag: Internet fanatics uncover the next Corvette Z06, and GM is not pleased
MAC MORRISON
Published Date: 12/13/04
We have shown you the spyshots (AW, Oct. 18), now look at the above illu*stration and ask yourself whether the flared fenders, hood scoop and rear brake ducts might possibly represent the production version of Chevrolet’s 2006 Corvette Z06. Not convinced? Consider the alleged (more on that later) specs: 3130 pounds; dry-sump 7.0-liter V8 engine featuring forged crank, titanium connecting rods, 11.0:1 compression ratio; and producing at least 500 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.

The photo GM does not want you to see: Someone leaked to the Internet a retouched press pic of the 2006 Corvette Z06, and despite the General’s best efforts to contain it, the image is easily found online.

If such Viper-nearing numbers are correct, the Z06 appears capable of supercar-like sub-four-second 0-to-60-mph runs on its way toward flirting with a similarly exotic-like 200-mph top speed. If you are having a problem swallowing any of this, it is likely because the car looks and sounds almost too good to be true.

That is exactly what Houston-based software consultant Paul K. (he asks that his full name not be used) thought to himself when, in his words, he stumbled across a short list of mechanical details and a reasonably clear photograph of the new Z06 on a website for Corvette enthusiasts (it’s the one we based our illustration on). To help address his doubts, Mr. K., a C5 Z06 owner and enthusiast, turned to his fellow Corvette crazies and web forum regulars at Z06Vette.com.

“I figured if anybody knows if this is real, these guys will,” he said. “I simply asked, ‘Hey, is this old or new info?’ Because at that point, [I figured] I’m probably going to have 10 people saying old news, welcome to last week, etc.”

To the contrary, his forum post ignited debates over the photo’s validity, as other Z06 fans claimed it to be everything from dead-to-rights real to an early concept to an electronically manipulated image. Within hours the argument and photo spread across the web, surfacing at other Corvette enthusiast sites such as digitalcorvettes.com, vette-net.com, corvetteforum.com and gminsidenews.com .

2004 Corvette Z06 2005 Corvette 2006 Corvette Z06*
ENGINE 5.7-liter V8 6.0-liter V8 7.0-liter V8
HP 405 400 500
TORQUE 400 lb-ft 400 lb-ft 475 lb-ft
DRIVE TRAINrwd, six-speed manual rwd, six-speed manual** rwd, six-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT 3118 pounds 3179 pounds 3130 pounds
0 TO 60 4.3 seconds*** 4.9 seconds*** 3.5 seconds
*AutoWeek estimates / **Also available with four-speed automatic / ***AutoWeek test result

The arguments did not last long. Approximately 24 hours after Mr. K.’s original post (he claims not to remember where he first discovered the pic), General Motors contacted several website administrators to demand removal of its “property” from their cyberspace. Mr. K. had, it appeared, unearthed the real deal. “You get this e-mail from GM saying take it down, it’s our picture, right there... it’s real. Done.”

GM, however, considered the matter far from over. On a Sunday evening five days after his original web posting, Mr. K. says he answered a knock on his door to discover two unfamiliar men standing outside his Texas home. The duo identified themselves as representatives of GM and its contracted security firm, Securitas Security Services, and according to Mr. K., demanded to know how he had come by GM’s copyrighted Z06 photo. His claim of part of the conversation: “[One of them] said, ‘GM has millions of dollars at its disposal, and we will not be afraid to use it to prove a point.’” Our call to Nick T. Chiros, one of the Securitas investigators, yielded a terse “No comment.”

GM’s concern stemmed from the premature dispersal of an image it presented to journalists on Nov. 9, the day our Corvette fan discovered the photo online. (In researching this story we found one site even had this photo up for the world to see on Nov. 8.) Roughly 50 media representatives, including one from this magazine, attended an event where they were given official Z06 pictures and specifications only after agreeing to an embargo of its publication.

2004 Z06

The term embargo refers to a date, set by the manufacturer, before which journalists agree not to disseminate information. An embargo is one reason magazine and newspaper readers may notice the same car(s) receiving coverage in various outlets simultaneously. From the manufacturers’ standpoint, the practice allows them to coordinate media coverage with promotional and advertising campaigns; the media get information in advance to prepare more thorough and entertaining stories. We abide by embargoes to gain equal access to information as well as access to subsequent press events and test drives. AutoWeek’s embargo policy, broadly stated, is that we won’t be first to break an embargo to which we’ve agreed, but we won’t be third, either.

“As evidenced by our actions, we take our embargoes very seriously,” said Terry Rhadigan, GM’s director of global auto shows and the man responsible for pre-Z06 launch information. “So when we have a rogue kind of website or someone who doesn’t play by the rules, we feel like if we just let it go and we just let them run amok, then our credibility is compromised.”

Rhadigan says GM merely wanted to speak with Mr. K. in an effort to determine the source of its leak, and that the company is not interested in pursuing him further. Mr. K.—who has retained an attorney—takes that as little comfort. “I didn’t see them go and visit any webmasters; they sent them an e-mail,” he said. “They couldn’t do the same for me? Did they have to go this far? Because now they know where I live, which I think is rather inappropriate... I’m still concerned, I know GM is watching me.”

2005 Corvette

Still, he says he’s happy he—and now you—saw the new Z06 early. Oh, and about those specs: Without too great a difficulty, you can still find them all over the Internet, including on sites mentioned above. Funny enough, the photo, though removed from some sites per GM’s request, remains viewable at others, including a Corvette dealer’s (corvetteconti.com ).

Of course, we have the official information from GM, but in this case you must wait until the embargo lifts in January to get the unadulterated truth, including the comments of the Corvette experts and engineers who presented the program in November.

krwlz · 12-13-2004, 07:22 PM

Eh, the chart from the article is hard to read, its basically comparing the 2004 Z06, the 2005 Vette, and the 2006 Z06...

THe important parts: New z06: 500 horse, 475 ft lbs or torque, and a 0-60 of apprx 3.5 seconds...

Nimisys · 12-13-2004, 07:59 PM

wouldn;t be suprised if the cts-v gets the ls7 in responce to the m3 finally picking up a v8. can't wait for the top gear review of the z06 either... its going to be funnier than hell to watch them squirm with the performance numbers it will be putting up.

wrongfullyaccuzd · 12-14-2004, 07:19 PM

That is a good, good-looking car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimisys

can't wait for the top gear review of the z06 either... its going to be funnier than hell to watch them squirm with the performance numbers it will be putting up.

I agree.

tommylee02 · 12-14-2004, 09:40 PM

Wow, that is a good looking Vette. I wonder how much the price would go up from the 05, which is also a sweet ride which is getting rave reviews. I wish I wish, but I don't think the wife is gonna let one appear under my Christmas tree...

merkerguitars · 12-14-2004, 09:42 PM

Hmmm yummy, gotta love the specs on that....who can't love the all american sports car?

krwlz · 12-15-2004, 06:52 PM

I have to imagine around 60k.... thats what i hear anyway.
Gotta love porsche 911 turbo numbers with half the 120k sticker price, haha.

GetRdone · 12-16-2004, 11:32 AM

Now if only lingenfelter dug into this one... sure as hell wouldnt mind those stock numbers and then the chance to double it with the lingenfelter TT kit like they had for the other corvettes..mmmmmm nothin like 1100 hp to drive to work.

Nimisys · 12-16-2004, 09:14 PM

it will be interesting if the lingenfelter company produces a TT kit for it... wnder how long they will keep trading on his name?

GetRdone · 12-16-2004, 09:43 PM

as far as i know, they would probably use the name as long as they possibly can. that name holds alot of respect in the auto world, any major company would not wanna sacrifice name recognition like that. and besides...i dont care if its just a name or not, the lingenfelter kits are awesome (and i could never afford one)

junglistic · 12-18-2004, 12:47 AM

looks like a nsx!
i like the new stang better

Scorps · 12-18-2004, 06:22 PM

Rag top is sexier

godxzilla · 12-18-2004, 11:33 PM

That is a beautiful car! im more of a truck person (I dont have any reason for a car) but that is something I could definately see myself in.

biznatch · 12-19-2004, 11:44 AM

wow thank you for those pictures, looks like Vette is finally gonna start looking good..
I used to live in Miami, and there was Vettes from the 60s and 70s that were in perfect condition, they were so beautiful...
oh well, I guess the golden age of american cars is over. But hope might be coming back with this sudden progression...the mustang and corvette are getting better in my opinion.

krwlz · 12-19-2004, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Train

Rag top is sexier

Haha, YUCK! Actually, they all look good, but I will maintain till I die, that there is NO car out there that looks better ragtop.

That said... Looks of a stang over a vette? To each their own

Psycho Dad · 12-20-2004, 07:56 PM

I've long held it is the obligation of every American male to endeavor to own a Corvette at some point in their life.

Scorps · 12-21-2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krwlz

Haha, YUCK! Actually, they all look good, but I will maintain till I die, that there is NO car out there that looks better ragtop.

That said... Looks of a stang over a vette? To each their own

Well I think its good without the top but with the top up it does look a little crappy, maybe if they have a hardtop that goes down into the truck would be nicer(maybe)

RaDiAn · 12-21-2004, 06:23 PM

I like them that for sure, but I see one thing that really bothers me and that is the seam between the tail light section and the back quarter. It just sticks out to me...maybe I'm just to picky. Anyone else??

Scorps · 12-22-2004, 11:47 AM

There are a lot of seams.....doesn't bother me much, but I'm a fan of the 70's vette myself

krwlz · 12-22-2004, 11:54 AM

I dont mind the seams. Up close and in person, these cars look amazing. I love the 70's vettes, but the 67 is the one that makes me want to cream myself... Hard top, in that metallic sky blue they had, side pipes, and a 427.... mmmmmm

Tech · 12-22-2004, 06:30 PM

can't argue with the mechanics, but i don't like the location of the hood scoop. for a car that is pushing into head-to-head competition with the viper, it looks a lot LIKE a viper.

that being said, i'd kill for one

RaDiAn · 12-22-2004, 08:32 PM

For some reason of what I'm not sure why.... I really like the 64 http://www.bacvette.com/sles.JPG

Jimellow · 12-22-2004, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetRdone

as far as i know, they would probably use the name as long as they possibly can. that name holds alot of respect in the auto world, any major company would not wanna sacrifice name recognition like that. and besides...i dont care if its just a name or not, the lingenfelter kits are awesome (and i could never afford one)

How much does a Lingenfelter TT kit cost generally?

Could I get one installed on my Accord?

Seriously though, I'm curious about how much they run, as I know they really boost performance, a lot.

Faygo · 12-23-2004, 11:17 AM

I want one.

12-14-2004, 09:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Hmmm yummy, gotta love the specs on that....who can't love the all american sports car? __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

12-18-2004, 06:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	Rag top is sexier __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

12-18-2004, 11:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
godxzilla Crazy Location: Columbus, OH	That is a beautiful car! im more of a truck person (I dont have any reason for a car) but that is something I could definately see myself in. __________________ Mike

12-20-2004, 07:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	I've long held it is the obligation of every American male to endeavor to own a Corvette at some point in their life. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

12-22-2004, 11:47 AM	#19 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	There are a lot of seams.....doesn't bother me much, but I'm a fan of the 70's vette myself __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

12-13-2004, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	Eh, the chart from the article is hard to read, its basically comparing the 2004 Z06, the 2005 Vette, and the 2006 Z06... THe important parts: New z06: 500 horse, 475 ft lbs or torque, and a 0-60 of apprx 3.5 seconds...

12-13-2004, 07:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nimisys Crazy Location: San Diego	wouldn;t be suprised if the cts-v gets the ls7 in responce to the m3 finally picking up a v8. can't wait for the top gear review of the z06 either... its going to be funnier than hell to watch them squirm with the performance numbers it will be putting up.

12-14-2004, 09:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
tommylee02 Tilted	Wow, that is a good looking Vette. I wonder how much the price would go up from the 05, which is also a sweet ride which is getting rave reviews. I wish I wish, but I don't think the wife is gonna let one appear under my Christmas tree...

12-15-2004, 06:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	I have to imagine around 60k.... thats what i hear anyway. Gotta love porsche 911 turbo numbers with half the 120k sticker price, haha.

12-16-2004, 11:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	Now if only lingenfelter dug into this one... sure as hell wouldnt mind those stock numbers and then the chance to double it with the lingenfelter TT kit like they had for the other corvettes..mmmmmm nothin like 1100 hp to drive to work.

12-16-2004, 09:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nimisys Crazy Location: San Diego	it will be interesting if the lingenfelter company produces a TT kit for it... wnder how long they will keep trading on his name?

12-16-2004, 09:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	as far as i know, they would probably use the name as long as they possibly can. that name holds alot of respect in the auto world, any major company would not wanna sacrifice name recognition like that. and besides...i dont care if its just a name or not, the lingenfelter kits are awesome (and i could never afford one)

12-18-2004, 12:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
junglistic Insane	looks like a nsx! i like the new stang better

12-19-2004, 11:44 AM	#14 (permalink)
biznatch Junkie Location: France	wow thank you for those pictures, looks like Vette is finally gonna start looking good.. I used to live in Miami, and there was Vettes from the 60s and 70s that were in perfect condition, they were so beautiful... oh well, I guess the golden age of american cars is over. But hope might be coming back with this sudden progression...the mustang and corvette are getting better in my opinion.

12-21-2004, 06:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
RaDiAn Addict	I like them that for sure, but I see one thing that really bothers me and that is the seam between the tail light section and the back quarter. It just sticks out to me...maybe I'm just to picky. Anyone else??

12-23-2004, 11:17 AM	#24 (permalink)
Faygo Banned	I want one.

12-22-2004, 11:54 AM	#20 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	I dont mind the seams. Up close and in person, these cars look amazing. I love the 70's vettes, but the 67 is the one that makes me want to cream myself... Hard top, in that metallic sky blue they had, side pipes, and a 427.... mmmmmm

12-22-2004, 06:30 PM	#21 (permalink)
Tech Addict Location: Baltimore MD	can't argue with the mechanics, but i don't like the location of the hood scoop. for a car that is pushing into head-to-head competition with the viper, it looks a lot LIKE a viper. that being said, i'd kill for one __________________ -Tim- ~I swear sometimes i feel like i'm married to a child. ~You better watch who you're calling a child, Lois, cause if i'm a child than you know what that makes you? a pedophile. and i'll be damned if i'm going to stand here and be lectured by a pervert.

12-22-2004, 08:32 PM	#22 (permalink)
RaDiAn Addict	For some reason of what I'm not sure why.... I really like the 64 http://www.bacvette.com/sles.JPG