Power Players

The 2006 Z06 is not just the most powerful Corvette but the fastest and most powerful production GM car in history. Using technology transferred from the highly successful Corvette racing program, its mighty 7.0L (427 cid) small-block LS7 Gen IV aluminum V-8 generates 500 lusty horses at 6,200 rpm and 475 lb.ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm and can propel the 3,130-lb. Z06 to sub-4-sec. 0-60 mph bursts, sub-12-sec. quarter- miles and a 190-mph top speed.

Essentially a racing engine in a road car, this ultimate iteration of the legendary Chevy small-block V-8 — born 50 years ago in modest 265 cid, 162 (gross) hp form — is hand-built at GM Powertrain’s new Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich. It boasts competition-style dry-sump lubrication, titanium connecting rods and intake valves and specific block, front cover, oil pan, exhaust manifolds and heads vs. the ’05 6.0L, 400-hp LS2 standard Corvette engine.

The Z06’s 500 hp “427” propels the vette from zero to 60 in less than four seconds with a top speed of 190 mph.

Exceptionally light and stiff, the Z06’s unique fixed-roof aluminum body structure has one-piece hydroformed perimeter rails with cast suspension nodes. Its front cradle is magnesium, its (wider) front fenders and wheelhouses are carbon-fiber composite, and its cabin floors combine carbon-fiber skins with an ultra-light balsa wood core. The huge front brakes use 6-piston calipers with six separate pads (for more equalized wear) on vented and cross-drilled 14-in. rotors, while 4-piston, 4-pad calipers ride 13.4-in. vented, crossdrilled rear rotors. The cast-spun aluminum wheels (18 x 9.5-in. front, 19 x 12-in. rear) wear 275/35ZR18 and 325/30ZR19 Goodyear “extended mobility” tires. Z06 production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2005 at the Bowling Green, KY, Corvette plant.

Cadillac STS-V

Like the smaller CTS-V, Cadillac’s 2006 STS-V is a top-of-the-line performance version of a luxury sport sedan. But while the CTS-V is propelled by a 400-hp 5.7L aluminum Corvette V-8 and 6-speed manual gearbox, its higherlux big brother is motivated by a new 4.4L intercooled supercharged, DOHC VVT Northstar V-8 generating 440 hp at 6,400 rpm and 430 lb.ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm, driving through a new Hydra-Matic 6L80 6-speed automatic.

With world-class specific output of 100 hp per liter, it can propel the STS-V from rest to 60 mph in less than 5 sec. Like the Corvette Z06 V-8, it will be hand-assembled at GM Powertrain’s new Wixom, Mich. Performance Build Center.

This most powerful production Cadillac to date — developed (like the CTS-V) by GM’s Performance Div. on test and race tracks including Germany’s legendary Nurburgring — has braking and cornering capabilities up to its muscular powertrain. Modifications from the highly capable standard STS include larger (P255/45R18 front, P275/40R19 rear) tires on specific (18 x 18.5-in. and 19 x 19.5-in.) wheels, bigger brakes, faster steering, stiffer springs and stabilizer bars and chassis tuning aimed at high performance without undue harshness.

Cadillac STS-V owners are wrapped in the luxury of leather, olive ash burl wood and suede fabric seat inserts to keep them firmly planted while screaming down the motorway.

A larger, stainless-steel wire mesh grille and new lower front fascia with brake cooling ducts and large, lower wire mesh grille, new rear fascia, decklid spoiler and lower rockers, a sculpted higher-clearance hood and V-Series badging identify the STS-V. The handwrapped leather-lined cabin is set off by Olive Ash burl wood with aluminum accents and sueded fabric seat inserts. It will be built at GM’s Lansing Grand River plant beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005.