2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon edition celebrates Corvette racing history

The Corvette Z06 is a formidable track car. The ZR1 is a monster in Corvette clothing. Now in between the two is the Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of Corvette's first race in the 24 Hours of LeMans.

Only 500 examples will be built in either Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue, which makes it an instant collector's Corvette.

So what makes this car better than a Z06?

Remember how we said it slots between the stock Z06 and the ZR1? Well that's because the race-for-brains gents over at Chevrolet have taken a few of the better mechanical bits from the ZR1, such as the Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control and fitted them onto the Z06 Carbon.

“For track use, the Z06 Carbon is the best balanced Corvette yet. It combines the lightweight and naturally-aspirated Z06 engine with the road-holding and braking of the ZR1,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer. “For technical tracks like Laguna Seca, the Z06 Carbon could shave up to three seconds off the Z06 lap time.”

Also carried over from the American supercar are a black carbon fiber front splitter, rockers and a carbon fiber hood with the same raised hood design first seen on the ZR1. Other functional visual upgrades include black 20-spoke rims, blacked-out headlights, black mirrors, and for track events, Euro-style racing numbers can be applied to the car.

Inside, the car gets some extra luxury appointments and visual upgrades such as ebony leather with stitching to match the exterior color, and suede liberally applied to the steering wheel, shifter, seat inserts, armrests and doors.

If you miss the boat on one of the 500 special edition models, but want to look like you didn't, Chevrolet is also going to offer a CFZ package that you can apply to any 2011 Z06 that includes the carbon fiber bits and the ZR1-esque spoiler used on the Carbon Limited Edition.

Even better, you can also opt for the Z07 package, which adds the mechanical goodies from the Carbon/ZR1 as well. Now the only way people will know you don't actually have a Carbon edition Z06 is if they see your plain-jane interior (or if you're at a track day sans Euro-style racing numbers).

All these wonderful things can be had starting late summer for a yet unknown sum of money.

Check out the high-res photos provided by GM below.

[Source: GM Media]

Comments

[Janice]

I have already ordered my ZR1 to be delivered as 2011 model ( I am living in Sweden, so the delivery time is very long) and since my will not be deliverd until next year I still have a chance to make some modifications and the interior is one of these things that I still not yet has made up my mind about.
http://www.autolinemag.com/2271-2011-chevrolet-corvette.html

[Jharna]

I still have a chance to make some modifications and the interior is one of these things that I still not yet has made up my mind about.
http://www.usedtruckstogo.com/