Musclevehicles.com – The Ultimate Blog for American Muscle Cars and Muscle Vehicles

GeigerCars.de GmbH – Corvette Grand Sport

The name “Grand Sport” is entrenched in the racing history of the Chevrolet Corvette. Now, for the 2010 model year, there is a new edition that evokes memories of the racecars of the seventies – and Geigercars.de has already given these rockets an additional performance upgrade.

With the LS3 V8 under the bonnet, and the corresponding 430 hp and 575 Nm in torque, the Grand Sport is certainly not short of legs when it leaves the factory. But why be satisfied with production line performance, when tuning specialist Geigercars.de can give you something more? Thanks to the Munich pros, a supercharger with a fat 2.3 litres capacity sits on top of the eight-cylinder engine, which itself exhibits a volume of 6.2 litres. The result is a growth in the power of the Corvette to an immense 588 hp at 6,490 rpm, and torque of 738 Nm at 4,030 rpm. This ultimate sports car negotiates the sprint to 100 km/h in less than four seconds from contact, and it’s not until reaching 337 km/h that the Geigercars.de rocket is forced to relent to wind resistance.

The Grand Sport impresses both aesthetically and technically, with wider front and rear fenders with additional vents, to accommodate the larger brakes of the sister model Z06 with its 355 mm, six-cylinder discs at the front axle, and 340 mm, four-cylinder discs at the rear. The front diffuser and larger rear spoiler are also borrowed from the engineers of the Corvette Z06. Sway bars, shock absorbers and springs have also been overhauled in addition to the six-speed transmission, while a dry sump oil system and differential cooler are also on board. The battery of the Grand Sport has been relocated to the rear. Optimum road contact is guaranteed by the 18 and 19 inch light alloy rims, with 275/35 and imposing 325/30 tyres.

Special factory-installed emblems on the front fenders, and not least the special graphics applied by Geigercars.de to the fenders, bonnet and boot lid, draw even the untrained eye to the character of this very special elite athlete – and underline that certain something about the entire project perfectly.

Technical specifications – Geigercars.de Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

Engine: 6.2 litre V8
Output: 588 hp at 6,490 rpm
Torque: 738 N m at 4,030 rpm
Top speed: 337 km/h
Supercharger with 2.3 litre capacity and 0.6 bar charging pressure
Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission (5th and 6th gears modified)
Light alloy wheels – 18 inch front / 19 inch rear
Tyres: 275/35 ZR18 front / 325/30 ZR19 rear
Base model: EUR 66,900
Performance upgrade: EUR 16,450
Modified transmission ratio: EUR 2,800

GeigerCars Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

 

Jan Magnussen in the #3 car began leaving his pit box after an unscheduled stop to repair a power steering hose when Emmanuel Collard in the #4 Vette came out of nowhere and slammed into his side. The #4 car immediately went behind pit wall for repairs, but since the #3 car was already leaving the pits, it was forced to limp around an entire lap with a flat front tire before returning for repairs. The collision effectively took both Corvettes out of contention for a podium spot, though they did manage to finish the race in 8th and 9th place.

In the first of twelve episodes, Corvette Racing shares a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s preparations for the 12 Hours of Sebring, the start of the 2010 ALMS season. The team is clear about one thing: amid tough competition, they remain focused on winning.

DETROIT — When the 2006 Corvette Z06 was introduced, it represented the closest connection to the Corvette race cars ever. The 2009 Corvette ZR1 closed the gap between racing and production even further. This year, Corvette continues its tradition of track-to-street technology transfer with the 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.

“Designed to further incorporate technology developed through racing, the Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Corvette’s first race in the 24 Hours of LeMans,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet General Manager. “With a limited production of 500 units, this car is a must-have for the true Corvette collector and driving enthusiast.”

The Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is another example of the expanded Corvette line-up. Five years ago, customers had the choice of a Corvette coupe or convertible. With the addition of the Z06, Grand Sport coupe and convertible and ZR1, Corvette enthusiasts now have more choices than ever.

“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.”

This limited edition Z06 will boast Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with specific dark gray metallic calipers. These powerful brakes were first introduced on the ZR1. Black 20-spoke 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels complement the car’s Michelin PS2 tires. Other mechanical features include Magnetic Selective Ride Control for the first time on the Z06 and enhanced cooling. The car also features a special carbon pattern engine cover.

The Corvette Z06 Carbon will be available in two colors: Inferno Orange and the all-new Supersonic Blue. Black headlamps and mirrors, a ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon fiber raised hood, and black carbon fiber rockers and splitter enhance the Z06′s dynamic design and reduce mass and aerodynamic lift. For track events, customers can also install the Euro-styled racing numbers that come with each car.

The Z06 Carbon’s ebony leather and suede interior is complemented by blue or orange seat stitching to match the exterior color chosen. Other features include a unique steering wheel emblem, sill plate and logoed headrest. The suede used on the steering wheel, shifter, seat inserts, armrests and doors add to the luxury of this limited edition Z06.

An optional Z07 performance package that includes the mechanical upgrades introduced on the Z06 Carbon can be added to a regular 2011 Z06. This package also includes Competition Gray 20-spoke wheels and all the chassis and cooling upgrades.

The CFZ Z06 carbon fiber package includes black carbon fiber rockers, splitter and roof panel with the full-width body color spoiler. It can also be purchased with or without the Z07 package on regular Z06 models.

The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, as well as the new Z07 and CFZ Z06 option packages will be available in late summer.

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon

 

Obviously this move from GM are aimed to attract buyers in Europe, where the car has little appeal, and young U.S. buyers. According to The Power Information Network, the current average age of a Corvette buyer is 54. Critics says it looks big with a cheap-looking interior. Welburn agrees with the interior “problem” – “The execution, materials selection–it’s got to be a much better interior. Our customers desire that.” And we’ll add what industry says – a redesign is due in two to three years.

Welburn compares today’s Corvette with Porsche 911 – they are about the same size, but the styling makes it look larger. Let’s cite Welburn again – “We have to develop a design that feels trimmer, meaner, to go along with the incredible performance that the car has.” He also intended it’s about time for development of the Corvette, but the new Corvette can’t be so far away in concept than today’s Corvette.

Members of Corvette Racing share their passion for racing and what it means to represent Corvette in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Featured in the video are Mark Kent, manager, GM Racing, Gary Pratt, chief engineer and co-founder of Pratt & Miller engineering, and Doug Fehan, program manager, Corvette Racing. This is a preview of what to expect from the Corvette Racing Team as they document the ALMS season in their upcoming video series.

The shot above was snapped at the garages of Pratt & Miller, the racing outfit contracted by GM to develop and run the racing Corvettes. As we can see, the color scheme is the same black and yellow, but the 2010 C6R has sharper paint job.

The bodywork is built based on an aluminum frame – for instance – the GT1′s frame is made of steel. The brakes are made of steel, too. The power unit of the muscle car is a downsized 5.5-liter V8.

We all hope that the Corvette Racing team is going to beat the competition, dominated by Ferraris and Porsches.

Official Press Release:

The proceeds, which will be donated to the American Red Cross relief fund, are in addition to a $100,000 contribution from the GM Foundation to the Red Cross.

“This is a very good example of the compassion GM employees have,” said Ed Welburn, Vice President of GM Design. Welburn will call the vehicle to the stage to start the bidding process at the event.

The limited edition 2008 Chevrolet Corvette was the last of 427 cars built specifically for North America and the only 2008 Z06 available in Crystal Red Metallic Tint Coat. Sporting a 7.0L V8 engine with 505 hp, the Corvette contains spider design chrome Z06 wheels, Z06 plates, a Stinger-style stripe on the front hood and fascia, chrome exterior badges and a painted Z06 spoiler and body color door handles. Inside, the Corvette contains a Dark Titanium leather-wrapped interior and special Crystal Red center trim plate.

All 427 of the limited edition Corvettes were signed and numbered in the center console area by Will Cooksey, the Corvette plant manager who retired in 2006 after 15 years running the plant. The Corvette also features “427″ hood badges and engine cover emblems and “427″ seat and floor mat embroidery.
The Corvette is Lot #1318 and will be auctioned on Saturday evening, Jan. 23, at the Barrett-Jackson event in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Musclevehicles.com – The Ultimate Blog for American Muscle Cars and Muscle Vehicles