Chevrolet · 2004–2013

Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1

The Chevrolet Corvette (C6) is the sixth generation of the Corvette sports car that was produced by Chevrolet from 2005 to 2013. It is the first Corvette with exposed headlamps (as opposed to hidden headlamps) since the 1962 model. Production variants include the Z06, ZR1, Grand Sport, and 427 Convertible. Racing variants include the C6.R, an American Le Mans Series GT1 championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Pro winner.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

All Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Overview

The Corvette C6 featured new bodywork with exposed headlamps, revised suspension geometry, a larger passenger compartment, a larger 5,967 cc (364.1 cu in; 6.0 L) V8 engine and a higher level of refinement. It is 5.1 inches (13 cm) shorter than the C5, but the wheelbase was increased by 1.2 inches (3 cm). It is also one inch (2.5 cm) narrower. Like its predecessor, the coupe featured a removable roof panel, either solid in body color or transparent black. The open version featured a power soft top (option not available on the C5). The new GM LS2 engine has a power output of 400 hp (298 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb⋅ft (542 N⋅m) of torque at 4,400 rpm. Like the C5, the Corvette C6's suspension consisted of independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fiberglass mono-leaf springs and optional magnetorheological dampers. Since 2004, a Z51 package has been available, which included a stiffer suspension, larger brakes, a transmission oil cooler, and more. The European version had parking lights in the headlights, headlight washers, side turn signals on the fenders (Grand Sport, ZR1 - different side mirrors with a signal), amber side marker lights, different rear lights with a turn signal and rear fog lights. With an automatic transmission, the Corvette achieves city/highway fuel economies of 15 / 25 mpg‑US (15.7 / 9.4 L/100 km; 18 / 30 mpg‑imp), while the manual-transmission model returns 16 / 26 mpg‑US (14.7 / 9.0 L/100 km; 19 / 31 mpg‑imp). The Corvette's manual transmission is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Shifting (CAGS), which forces the driver to shift from 1st gear directly to 4th when operating at lower engine speeds. This boosts the EPA's derived fuel economy, allowing the buyer to avoid paying the "gas guzzler" tax. GM badges were added to the car in

Engines

The LS2 was replaced by LS3 from model years 2008–2013. The LS3 engine in the GS convertible or Grand Sport coupe equipped with an automatic transmission has wet sump instead of dry sump lubrication.

Limited editions

=== Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Championship Edition (2007) === The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Championship Edition is a special edition of the Corvette Z06 developed to commemorate the victory of the Corvette racing team driver Ron Fellows at the 2007 ALMS GT1 championship. Notable exterior features include special Arctic White paint, red grand sport style stripes on the front fenders and red and silver hash styled stripes incorporating a maple leaf similar to the livery present on the winning car. The interior had a red interior and complemented accenting on the seats, console and door panels. The arm rest features Ron Fellows' signature. Only 399 were made, 33 of which went to the Canadian market. ZHZ (2008). The ZHZ was a standard Corvette equipped with the LS3 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, vacuum actuated valve exhaust, F55 suspension and unique 7-spoke chrome wheels. It was developed for The Hertz Corporation's Fun Collection for 2008. 500 targa tops in 2008 and 350 convertibles were produced in 2009 in total. All cars were finished in yellow with a broad black stripe along the hood and roof. GT1 Championship Edition (2009). The GT1 Championship Edition is an optional package for the C6 that was unveiled in the 2009 New York Auto Show. It celebrates the Corvette C6.R's entry into the GT1 class of ALMS in 2009. This limited edition is based on either a 4LT equipped targa top, 4LT convertible or high performance Z06. Models wear the same velocity yellow "45U" body hue that adorns the C6.R or "41U" gloss black, along with a "Jake" graphic that spans the Championship edition's hood. Chrome wheels known as Gumby's are present on the targa top and convertible while the Z06 is fitted with chrome Spyder wheels. A body-colored spoiler shared with the ZR1 joins a "carbon patte

Cadillac XLR

The Cadillac XLR is a luxury roadster that was marketed by Cadillac from 2004 to 2009 model years. Assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the XLR was based on the Chevrolet Corvette's Y platform. Designed to be a grand touring offering, the XLR featured different exterior and interior design, standard adaptive suspension system, a 4.6-liter Cadillac Northstar V8 engine, and a power-retractable aluminum hardtop.

Production notes

== Concept cars == Z06X. The Z06X was designed to be a factory built road race car similar to cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Dodge Viper ACR-X. The concept car was built by GM with the help of Pratt & Miller Engineering. The Z06X, introduced in 2010, featured racecar components such as: carbon fiber adjustable rear wing, carbon fiber front splitter, full roll cage, fire suppression system, race seat, harness, carbon ceramic brakes, upgraded cooling system, polycarbonate rear window, adjustable coilovers, adjustable sway bars, and tow hooks; the radio, interior carpeting and sound-deadening materials have been removed. The suspension system was designed and supplied by Pfadt Race Engineering.

Racing

=== C6.R === The C6.R was a replacement for the C5-R, built by Pratt & Miller, and unveiled for its first competition at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race of the American Le Mans Series. It came in second and third in its class, just behind the new Aston Martin DBR9 race car. It was put on display a week later at the New York International Auto Show next to the Z06. In 2006, the Corvette C6.R won both American Le Mans GT1 Championships: Teams and Manufacturers. On March 17, 2007 it won the GT1 class in the 12 Hours of Sebring. For Le Mans 2007, four C6.R's were on the entry list, the two Corvette Racing entries joined by single entries from the Luc Alphand Aventures and PSI-Motorsport teams. The heart of the C6.R, its LS7.R motor, was crowned as Global Motorsport Engine of the Year by a jury of 50 race engine engineers on the Professional Motorsport World Expo 2006 in Cologne, Germany. As the GT1 class dwindled, Corvette Racing switched to the GT2 class during the 2009 ALMS season. For 2011, the aerodynamics of the ALMS cars were modified to be similar to the ZR1. This car has since won the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes. In 2012, the Corvette C6.R won again in the GTE-Am category. In addition to the American Le Mans Series, Corvette C6.Rs also race in the FIA GT1 World Championship. The GT1 cars are given more power and have less aerodynamics restrictions than the Le Mans cars, which follow GT2 regulations. Riley GT. Riley Technologies built a GT2-class Chevrolet Corvette for the 2008 American Le Mans Series. The car also raced at the 2009 Petit Le Mans, where it beat both Pratt & Miller-built factory cars in qualifying. Z06-R. Entered in the FIA GT3 European Championship series as a GT3 class car, the Z06-R is a modified producti

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Chevrolet Corvette (C6)
Manufacturer: Chevrolet (General Motors)
aka: Corvette (Europe, 2005–2010)
Model years: 2005–2013
Production: June 2004 – February 28, 2013
Predecessor: Chevrolet Corvette (C5)
Successor: Chevrolet Corvette (C7)
Class: Sports car (S)
Transmission: 6-speed T-56 manual, 6-speed TR-6060 manual, 4-speed 4L65-E automatic (only for 2005), 6-speed 6L80 automatic(2006–2013)
Assembly: United States: Bowling Green, Kentucky (Bowling Green Assembly Plant)
Layout: Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Wheelbase: 105.6 in
Length: 174.6 in, 175.6 in (Z06, ZR1)
Width: 72.6 in, 75.9 in (Grand Sport, Z06, ZR1)
Height: Coupe: 49 in, 2005–06 Convertible: 49.2 in, 2007–09 Convertible: 49.1 in, Z06 Coupe: 49.0 in, 2010– Convertible: 48.7 in
Engine: 6.0 L LS2 V8, 6.2 L LS3 V8, 7.0 L LS7 V8, 6.2 L LS9 supercharged V8
Body style: 2-door coupe (Z06 and ZR1 only), 2-door convertible, 2-door targa top
Platform: Y-body/GMX245
Designer: Tom Peters (2001)
Related: Cadillac XLR
Kerb weight: Z51: 3273 lb, Grandsport: 1,501 kg, Z06: 3147 lb, Z06 Z07: 1,394 kg, ZR1: 3350 lb

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q942751CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_(C6)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1364843581 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corvette_ZR1_at_NAIAS.JPGPublic domain · Photo: The number 3 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.