LOMA-Corvette, a Great Tuned ‘Vette out of Germany
While the name, the LOMA- C6.BlackforceOne, is by no means inspiring, the vehicle itself is. Coming from a tuning outfit in Germany, this vehicle has some pretty nice touches. Available in 3 different matte finishes, this vehicle can be purchased in either: Stealth matte black, Eurofighter matte gray, or White Storm matte, all 3 of which look pretty great. It has carbon fiber wheel-arch extensions which widen the rear end of the vehicle by more than 20 cm. Elsewhere on the body is a cool looking body kit with custom side skirts and lips, as well as functional running reverse LED lights on the extensions. Of course, all of this, as well as the rear diffuser and spoiler are carbon fiber touches, to keep the weight down on the vehicle. 10 x 19″ and 12 x 20″ shining black OZ Racing Ultraleggera HLT alloy wheels wrapped in high performance Michelin 275/30 R19 and 335/25 R20 tires really add a great touch to the exterior.
Twin-turbo engine conversion makes HP on the vehicle a very impressive 794. That's right, 794HP! That's very nice, and definitely helps us ignore the stupid name further. With fully adjustable suspension, specially designed for this system, this car can probably handle itself well on either a windy track or a drag strip. That wider rear end and huge back tires help propel this car from 0-62mph in 3.4seconds, with a top speed over 200mph. All in all, we say ignore the stupid moniker and appreciate the sweet machine it is!
Click on thumbs for larger photos:
Couple Videos from InsideLine
I loe Edmunds InsideLine and am constantly looking through the website. They have nothing but praise for the Corvette, as any logical human being would expect, and these two videos give some information as to why. The first is a ZR1 and Nissan GT-R Comparison from InsideLine, which shows the ZR1's dominance. The second video is some track info for the Grand Sport. Both are great to watch and provide some cool info for you number crunchers out there.
Q&A With Oliver Gavin of Corvette Racing
Crash.net's interview with Oliver Gavin of Corvette Racing:
Oliver Gavin enjoyed another busy season in 2009 as he continued his racing programme in the American Le Mans Series and also contested the Spa 24 Hours.
For Gavin, it was the end of an era as the curtain came down on Corvette Racing's GT1 programme, with the team moving to GT2 by the end of the season.
Here, the Briton looks back over the season...
Q:
How did it feel to say goodbye to the Corvette GT1 car in the ALMS after so many successful seasons?
Oliver Gavin:
It felt quite sad because the car had generated a huge amount of success for the team and me personally, and I got so much enjoyment out of driving it. With my team-mates, I won Le Mans four times in the GT1 car, starting in 2002 and then three great victories with Olivier [Beretta] and Jan [Magnussen] in 2004/05/06. I also won three ALMS championships with Olivier so it played a huge part in my career. The GT1 car spanned a decade of successful competition which is really impressive; I'm pleased to have been part of the history of such an important and special car.
Q:
What's your best memory of those GT1 years?
Oliver Gavin:
The whole 2006 season! We started with victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a race that Olivier, Jan and I had been trying to win since 2004 but it seemed that luck had always been against us; it was a monkey off our back. That year it all fell into place and we went on to win all the ALMS races leading up to Le Mans and then won in France for the third time in a row after an epic battle with the Prodrive Aston Martins. Having been nose-to-tail for 22 hours, victory was fantastic. On a personal level, I felt it was the best I'd ever driven; I didn't make any mistakes, go off or hit anybody and felt I contributed a lot to that victory.
Q:
How confident were you that this year's Corvette GT2 car was going to be competitive?
Oliver Gavin:
Well, knowing that the same people at Pratt & Miller who'd made the GT1 car were involved automatically gave us a lot of confidence. They've got a massive pool of knowledge for building and running successful GT cars but, until you go to that first race and are up against everyone else on the same track and in the same set of conditions, you don't really know for sure. We've run somewhere near the front almost everywhere we've been with the GT2 car this year, and had a chance of victory, and that speaks volumes.
Q:
Who is your biggest rival in GT and why?
Oliver Gavin:
Your team-mates are your biggest rivals first and foremost; with equal equipment and engineering they have exactly the same shot as you. In the ALMS, the Flying Lizard Porsche of Jörg Bergmeister and Pat Long and Jaime Melo and Pierre Kaffer's Risi Ferrari were extremely quick and always a threat. In both cases this is down to their experience, speed and well-run teams.
It's just such an intensely competitive class in the ALMS, with at least seven or eight cars always being in with a chance. At the last round in Laguna Seca, I came into the pits during one practice session and asked what position I was in and was a bit surprised when they said seventh. But, the quickest time was only three tenths of a second ahead and there was rarely more than half a second separating the top six or seven cars in any session at any race which shows just how competitive it is. That rivalry is only going to increase into 2010 and everyone is really looking forward to it. I can't wait to get back to Sebring in March and commence battle!
Corvette Racing Q&A with Oliver Gavin
Q:
What, for you, was the revelation of 2009?
Oliver Gavin:
The Goodwood Revival meeting. It was my first time there this year and it was such an amazing, enjoyable event with so much atmosphere and fun, but with serious racing and great competitors. It was a truly remarkable weekend and one I'd love to do it again next year. To race a Mini on my debut there – the first time I'd ever raced a front-wheel-drive car – up against some touring and sports car legends like Derek Bell, Andy Rouse and John Cleland was very special. Nick Swift put out a very good car and did an exceptionally good job himself so the two of us came away with a pretty dominant victory.
Q:
What was the biggest disappointment of 2009?
Oliver Gavin:
Le Mans. We'd worked so hard to overcome hurdles during the race, such as pace cars, incidents, and just 'stuff' that happened and, after 20 hours got into the lead genuinely on speed and not through luck. Then, for it all to be taken away an hour or so later because of a freak gearbox problem, it leaves you thinking...“why? Why did it happen to us?” I felt extremely sorry for Marcel [Fassler] as I'd experienced something similar in 2007, being stuck out on track with a broken car and having to make that horrible walk back to the pits. You feel so helpless and useless and it was massively deflating.
Q:
Is victory in the Spa 24 Hours a personal goal for 2010 and how different is it racing in Europe and the USA?
A:
Spa is such an iconic track and the 24 Hours is a huge event each year; it's one of the races every sports car driver wants to win. I thought this year might have been my chance to win it but it wasn't to be so I definitely want to go back and crack it. I had a huge amount of fun this year with SRT, driving the GT1 Corvette there for the last time.
The main differences between the two continents are mostly to be found in the paddock. It seems to be a lot more convivial and friendly in the USA, there's a warmer feel to the whole race meeting – and that's nothing to do with the weather! There's an edginess, a bit of a coldness you feel when racing in Europe and I'm sure it's something to do with the fact that everyone's shut away in garages and motorhomes. On both sides you're there to do your job, compete hard and get victory but I feel happier in the USA than in Europe. The American side is super fan friendly, and paddock-friendly, and that's reflected in the amount of spectators you get at all the races.
Q:
What makes Olivier a good team mate? What characteristic of his do you admire the most?
Oliver Gavin:
He's intelligent, very fast, supportive of whatever happens on the track, whether it's to you or another team mate , and very inclusive of team mates...but very competitive against rivals. He fights hard for his corner, as we've all seen, and many times I've seen him drive brilliant, quadruple stints in the night at Le Mans which is down to his stamina and focus. He also makes me laugh a lot, especially his lack of understanding technology and computers. He's not at all tech savvy and is always asking for someone's help!
Q:
When you share a rental car at races, who drives and why?
Oliver Gavin:
I learnt very early on that sharing a rental car with Olivier is a Jekyll and Hyde experience. You need to make sure you keep him cool because if he gets over-heated he starts doing all sorts of things that shouldn't be allowed, things you think shouldn't possible and things which make you think “I want to get out now!!” We split the driving 50/50 but, if he drives, I keep him calm because if he gets too excited then it all gets a bit too interesting.
Q:
What were the most frustrating seconds of 2009?
Oliver Gavin:
Missing my London Marathon target. I'd trained long and hard over the winter, determined to break the 3-hour barrier but missed it by nine seconds. By the time I got to the final mile or two I was 20 seconds under target and, at the last drinks station, I decided to take an energy drink (first one of the race) but within 30 seconds of drinking it I got stomach cramps and started going slower and slower. I tried to make up the time but couldn't quite, so came in nine seconds short which was very frustrating. Next year, I'm part of a BRDC-entered team and am aiming for 2h 55; there'll be three or four of us within the team pushing for that sort of time so it will spur us all on. Twelve racing drivers all together in the Marathon...how competitive will that be?!
Q:
What do you see as the biggest racing challenge for 2010?
Oliver Gavin:
Le Mans with the GT2 Corvette. It's a new class for us there and a new (much bigger) set of competitors to race against. We don't know what the car will be like at Le Mans, how it will all marry up together – the tyres, aerodynamics, suspension, general conditions and so on. The last two years we've had wet test days during the week and that doesn't leave much time to get it all set up right. It will be a massive challenge.
Q:
Who is your pick of the pops for the future in sports cars?
Oliver Gavin:
That's a difficult one as there are so many good drivers currently but I think Richard Westbrook has proved himself to be a strong driver and I'm sure we'll have a few more battles. There are always exceptionally good young Porsche drivers and maybe Ferrari will also bring on some, such as Rob Bell. Outside of the current crop, I think Nick Tandy will make a good sports car driver and I hope he gets a good deal for next season, and maybe in a few years' time we need to be looking out for a young Kevin Magnussen!!
Source: Crash.net
Some News on the C6.R and ’09 Production Numbers
2009 Chevy Corvette C6.R - Currents
Next-Generation Corvette Race Car Revealed
Corvette Racing opened a new chapter in its history with the competition debut of the next-generation Corvette C6.R at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 6-8, 2009. Based on the Corvette ZR1 supercar, the new Corvette C6.R has even stronger links to the production Corvette than its predecessors and utilizes the ZR1's body design, aerodynamic package, aluminum frame and chassis structure, steering system, windshield, and other components.
In anticipation of a single GT class in 2010, Corvette Racing will test and develop the new Corvette C6.R in the GT2 category in the final rounds of the 2009 American Le Mans Series and will compete against rivals representing Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Viper, Panoz, and Ford. "One of the many benefits of the Corvette Racing program has been the opportunity to demonstrate the technology transfer between the race car and the production car," said Mark Kent, GM Racing manager. "The global movement toward a single GT class will allow us to compete head-to-head with more marketplace competitors, while increasing both the production content of the Corvette C6.R race cars and the relevance of racing to our customers. This is a step that positions Corvette for the future of production-based sports car racing worldwide."
The upcoming GT regulations require a comprehensive redesign of the Corvette C6.R package. In place of the GT1 Corvette's steel frame, the GT2 version utilizes the production ZR1's hydro-formed aluminum frame as the foundation for a fully integrated tubular-steel safety cage. The GT1 version's wide, louvered fenders are replaced by production-based ZR1 fenders with wheel flares. In accordance with the aerodynamic regulations, the rear wing is reduced 25 percent in width, the diffuser is a flat panel without fences or strakes, and the splitter extends only as far as its production ZR1 counterpart. Steel brake rotors have replaced the carbon discs used previously, and the wheels are aluminum instead of magnesium. The adjustable steering column and steering rack are sourced from the street Corvette.
In the remaining races in 2009, the Corvette race cars will be powered by 6.0-liter GM small-block V-8s that are based on the 7.0-liter LS7.R that powered the GT1 version. This reduction in displacement was achieved by shortening the crankshaft stroke from 3.875-inch to 3.32-inch. The diameter of the series-mandated intake air restrictors was decreased from 30.6 mm to 28.6 mm, with a corresponding reduction in engine output from 590 to 470 horsepower. A 5.5-liter production-based GM small-block V-8 is currently under development and will be introduced at the start of the 2010 season.
'09 Corvette Production Totals Announced
VETTE has learned the final production totals for the '09 Corvette, including models, exterior and interior colors, and transmissions. Despite a truncated build schedule, a total of 1,415 ZR1s were produced, accounting for over $141 million of sales. Black was the most popular Corvette color this year, while Ebony was the overwhelming choice for interior trim.
| Models | Total | Percent |
| Coupe | 8,737 | 49.4% |
| Convertible | 3,343 | 19.7% |
| Z06 | 3,461 | 20.4% |
| ZR1 | 1,415 | 8% |
| Total | 16,956 | 100% |
Source: Vette Mag
1104 HP Zenvo ST1
From the realm of sort-of/kind-of Corvette news. This car is awesome enough, and using the Z06 Engine as its base, that I felt justified in sharing it with everyone:
It's Europe's latest hyper-exotic car costing just over $1 million and it's based on one of America's most celebrated sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Called the Zenvo ST1, it's completely designed and built in Denmark with exclusivity, luxury, and of course, extreme performance in mind.
We reported on it late last year, and despite our initial doubts, company execs maintain their ST1 will indeed make it to production. Graciously, they've given us more images to drool upon ahead of its European release later this year, so sit back and enjoy.
If you didn't catch our previous post, under the ST1's carbon fiber hood lives a Z06-sourced 7.0L V-8 that's been completely morphed into 1104-hp monster thanks to a turbo and supercharger setup. Torque jumps up to an astounding 1058 pound-feet and can catapult the 3033 lbs exotic to 62 mph in a mere 3.3 sec, Zenvo claims.
Take off the extra two miles per hour or so for American testing, and this beast should easily hit 60 mph in under the three second mark. That's if the massive 20-in Michelins out back hook up and don't almost instantly shred to pieces. The 'Vette's six-speed manual stays in place and keeps power coming until the electronically limited 233 mph top speed.
Engineers replaced the Z06 frame with a spaceframe version of their own made entirely of lighter weight steel. Double wishbone suspension setups underpin each corner, while carbon fiber panels make up the unique exterior facade and aid in keeping the car's mass to a minimum. Look closely and you'd be hard pressed to find any hint of a Corvette outside.
Crack open a door and the attention to design is simply stunning. Leather and carbon fiber, as well as features like cruise control, a head up display, and sat-nav, snugly encompass and comfort passengers. Again, no trace of its 'Vette roots can really be found.
Asking price? Try around $1,272,455 using today's euro to dollar exchange rates. Only 15 units will be made when production gets underway. There's still no word on if this Danish dart will make it to the States, but naturally, we have to ask: If you had the money, would you buy one?
Click Gallery Images for Full Size:
Source: MotorTrend
Corvette Grand Sport Pictures!
Recently got a lot of great pictures of the new Corvette Grand Sport in a fully customized and loaded package from Chevy at SEMA. The car looks fantastic, and the little touches that Chevy put on it for the show really look fantastic. Wanted to share the pictures with you, because I am certain that others out there have to love the look of it as much as I do.
Click Gallery images for larger versions:
2013 for the Corvette C7. Lets start speculating!
Ok, so, we know now that Corvette will undoubtedly make a Corvette C7 and it will be rolling off of assembly lines in 2013. With that knowledge, it's time to begin speculating on the body touches that will occur for the 'Vette come that time.
Some people have expressed ideas on the rear window thus far. Of course, the bubble is popular right now and we can not deny it's fantastic look and functionality. Could it be time for that design to be updated though? Every so often major stylistic updates are necessary, maybe this time we'll see the return to a Split-Window or a Notch-Back rear window.
Possible look for C7 Notchback
The much shared Split Window concept
The retractable headlights will not be returning, sadly. While I do like the C6 lights, the retractable ones are as classic 'Vette as they come. Who knows though, maybe with this return to powerful retro styling gaining popularity we'll see quad round front lights like the C1 used to sport.
C1 Hardtop front end, I do like the round headlights
Of course, wider more pronounced fender and rear spoiler flares would be nice touches. What about functional side intakes? Side exhausts like the old Stingrays had? With this move towards fuel efficiencies maybe we'll see a 'Vette with more standard carbon fiber as a means of lightening the vehicle? How about a turbo-charged C6? Of course, I feel that it's almost impossible to improve upon the C3 when it was it's best, so maybe they'll just take more cues from it in the final C7 'Vette design. Here's to hoping for such!
69 Corvette Stingray. As beautiful as any car ever has been or ever will be.
How about you, what would you like to see?
More pictures of the Specter Werkes Corvette
I loved the modifications Specter Werkes did to the C6 Z06, so I thought I had to share these updated photos with you. Once again, this bad boy gets 800HP and 800Lbs Torque, what's there not to like about that? Couple that with their awesome wheels and other weight saving modifications, and I can only imagine just how fast this baby will go.
Click gallery links for full size images:
-
- Beautiful.
