- Co-developed with 2015 Corvette Z06, sharing chassis, engine technologies and aerodynamics strategy
- Makes competition debut Jan. 25 at the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona
- Continues legacy of Corvette Racing, which includes 90 global victories and 10 manufacturer championships since 1999
DETROIT – Chevrolet today unveiled the Corvette C7.R race car, which was
co-developed with the all-new 2015 Corvette Z06. They represent the
closest link in modern times between Corvettes built for racing and the
road, sharing unprecedented levels of engineering and components
including chassis architecture, engine technologies and aerodynamic
strategies.
"Corvette Racing sets the gold standard for technology transfer between
the track and street," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "We
are continually taking what we learn in competition, and applying it to
improve production Corvettes – which then make better race cars. As a
result, the new Corvette Z06 is the most track-capable production
Corvette ever while the new C7.R is poised to be even more competitive
on the race circuit."
Many of the architectural and aerodynamic features of the C7.R are based
on equivalent components and technologies from the 2015 Corvette Z06,
including:
New, aluminum frame
As before, the race car and the Z06 will share the same,
production-based aluminum frame. However, for the first time, the frames
for the race car and production Z06 will be built in-house at the
Corvette's Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant.
By leveraging advanced manufacturing materials – such as laser welding,
Flowdrill-machined fasteners and a GM-patented aluminum spot-welding
process – the production structure is significantly stronger than its
predecessor. For Corvette Racing, this equates to a race chassis for the
C7.R that is 40 percent stronger than the outgoing C6.R.
"In the first lap in the C7.R, the drivers felt the increase in chassis
stiffness," said Mark Kent, director of Racing for Chevrolet. "The
drivers instantly noticed that the C7.R handling was better over
changing surface features and rough track segments. This is important as
our drivers don't always stay on the smooth pavement, and are
constantly driving over curbing at corner apexes."
Direct-injected engine
The addition of direct fuel injection to the Corvette Z06 will enable
the technology to return to a Corvette race car for the first time since
the end of the GT1 era in 2009. It promises greater efficiency, which
can make a significant difference in long-distance endurance racing such
as Daytona and Le Mans through fewer time-consuming pit stops.
"Direct injection offers two advantages for the race team," said Kent.
"First, it offers drivers more precise throttle control, so that even
the smallest changes in the driver's throttle position delivers a
proportional response from the engine. Second, direct injection
typically improves fuel economy about 3 percent. That could be enough to
bypass one fuel stop during a 24-hour race. Given that races are often
won and lost in the pits, a 3 percent gain in fuel economy could
translate to a significant advantage in track position."
Aerodynamics
The aerodynamic strategies of the Corvette Stingray came directly from
the Corvette C6.R – including the forward-tilted radiator, functional
hood and front-quarter panel vents, and rear transmission and
differential cooling intakes.
The Z06 and C7.R take that aerodynamic foundation to the next level,
sharing aggressive strategies for increased cooling and aerodynamic
downforce, including similar front splitters, rocker panels, and front-
and rear-brake cooling ducts.
"We worked concurrently with the race team developing the aerodynamic
packages for the Z06 and the C7.R," said Juechter. "We even used the
same modeling software to test both cars, enabling us to share data and
wind-tunnel test results. As a result, the aerodynamics of the
production Z06 produce the most downforce of any production car GM has
ever tested, and we are closing in on the aero performance of a
dedicated race car."
There are, of course, differences between the race car and production
Corvette Z06. For example, the C7.R carries over the powertrain for the
C6.R, as the GT rules limit the maximum displacement to 5.5L, and
prohibit forced induction. By comparison, the new Z06 boasts a
supercharged 6.2L engine estimated at 625 horsepower. Both engines,
however, are based on the historic small block architecture.
The suspension on the C7.R is modified to accommodate wider racing tires and larger brakes, again part of the GT regulations.
The magic mark at the Nürburgring
once stood in the sevens. Anything that could lap the vaunted
Nordschleife in less than eight minutes was considered biblically fast.
But with all manner of vehicles clocking lap times that start with a
seven, the goal post has moved below the seven-minute mark and into the
sixes.
