The Z06's LS7 7.0L engine delivers 505 horsepower (377 kW)in a 3,132-pound (1,421 kg) package - a combination that delivers 0-60performance of 3.7 seconds in first gear, quarter-mile times of 11.7seconds at 125 mph and a top speed of 198 mph (as recorded on Germany'sAutobahn). It also provides maximum lateral acceleration of 1.04 g and60-0 braking in 111.3 feet; it also circuited Germany's famedNuerburgring in a time of 7:43.

The LS7 reintroduced the 427-cubic-inch engine to the Corvette lineup.It is easily identified under the hood by red engine covers with blacklettering. The LS7 shares the same basic Gen IV V-8 architecture as theCorvette's 6.0-liter LS2, but it uses a different cylinder block castingwith pressed-in steel cylinder liners to accommodate the engine's largerdiameter, 4.125-inch (104.8 mm) cylinder bores.

Internally, the LS7's reciprocating components make use ofracing-derived lightweight technology, including titanium connectingrods and intake valves, to help boost horsepower and rpm capability. Therpm fuel shut-off limit is 7,100 rpm. The LS7's details include:

* Dry-sump oiling system
* Unique cylinder block casting with large, 104.8-mm bores and pressed-in cylinder liners
* Forged steel main bearing caps
* Forged steel crankshaft
* Titanium connecting rods with 101.6-mm stroke
* Cast aluminum flat-top pistons
* 11.0:1 compression
* High-lift camshaft
* Racing-derived CNC-ported aluminum cylinder heads with titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves
* Low-restriction air intake system
* Hydroformed exhaust headers with unique "quad flow" collector flanges.

One of the clearest examples of the LS7's race-bred technology is itsuse of titanium connecting rods. They weigh just 464 grams apiece andbesides being lightweight, which enhances high-rpm performance and rpmrange, titanium makes the rods extremely durable.

The LS7's CNC-ported aluminum cylinder heads are designed to meet thehigh airflow demands of the engine's 7.0-liter displacement. A hydraulicroller camshaft with 0.588/0.593-inch valve lift is used to allow plentyof air to circulate in and out of the engine. To ensure optimal,uninterrupted airflow, the LS7's heads have straight, tunnel-like intakerunners. Very large by production-vehicle standards - even racingstandards - they are designed to maintain fast airflow velocity,providing excellent torque at low rpm and exhilarating horsepower athigh rpm. The heads feature 70-cc combustion chambers that are fed byhuge, 56-mm-diameter titanium intake valves. They are complemented by41-mm sodium-filled exhaust valves.

To accommodate the large valve face diameters, the heads' valve seatsare siamesed; and, taken from experience with the engines of C6.Rracecars, the LS7's valve angles are held at 12 degrees - vs. 15 degreesfor the LS2 - to enhance airflow through the ports.

The LS7 has a dry-sump oiling system designed to keep the engine fullylubricated during the high cornering loads the Corvette Z06 is capableof producing. An engine compartment-mounted 8-quart reservoir deliversoil at a constant pressure to a conventional-style oil pump pick-up atthe bottom of the engine. The pressurized oil feed keeps the oil pick-upcontinually immersed in oil at cornering loads exceeding 1 g.

Oil circulates through the engine and down to the oil pan, where it issent back to the reservoir via a scavenge pump. The large-capacityreservoir, combined with a high efficiency air-to-oil cooler, providesnecessary engine oil cooling under the demands of the engine's poweroutput. With the dry-sump system, oil is added to the engine via thereservoir tank - which includes the oil level dipstick.

Drivetrain - The Corvette Z06's powertrain and drivetrain systems arematched to the LS7's performance capability. The light, four-into-oneheaders discharge into close-coupled catalytic converters and throughtwo-mode mufflers. The mufflers each feature a vacuum-actuated outletvalve, which controls exhaust noise during low-load operation but opensfor maximum power.

At the rear of the LS7 engine, a single-mass flywheel and lightweight,high-capacity clutch channel torque to the rear transaxle. The six-speedmanual transmission has been strengthened to handle the LS7's increasedtorque load. The transmission includes a pump that sends transmissionfluid to the front radiator for cooling. Upon its return, the fluidremoves additional heat from the differential lube before returning tothe transmission. The six-speed transmission connects to a limited-slipdifferential, with enlarged ring and pinion gears. Stronger axlehalf-shafts with tougher universal joints transmit power to the rearwheels.

Structure - The Z06 has a unique aluminum body structure for optimumstiffness and light weight for the fixed-roof bodystyle. Perimeter railsare one-piece hydroformed aluminum members featuring cast suspensionnodes, which replace many welded steel components on other Corvettemodels. Other castings, stampings and extrusions are combined into theinnovative structure with state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies.

Advanced structural composites featuring carbon fiber are bonded to thealuminum structure. The wider front wheelhouses, for example, are carboncomposites and the passenger compartment floors combine carbon-fiberskins with an ultra-lightweight balsa wood core.

The Z06 has a new magnesium cradle that serves as the attachment pointfor the engine and some front suspension components. Magnesium islighter than aluminum yet incredibly strong. The magnesium cradle helpsimprove the front-to-rear weight distribution, as do carbon-fiber frontfenders and wheelhouses. Engineers also moved the battery from underhoodto a position in the rear cargo area, behind one of the rear wheels.

The mass reductions are offset by some added performance enablers,including dry-sump lubrication, exhaust system with outlet valves,larger wheels and tires, larger brakes and larger roll stabilizers.

Suspension and brakes - The Z06 retains the 105.7-inch (2686-mm)wheelbase of other Corvette models, as well as the short-long armsuspension and transverse leaf spring design, but it rides on all-newwheels, tires, brakes, as well as its own rear spring and rollstabilizer.

The firmer suspension works harmoniously with large 18 x 9.5-inchcast-spun aluminum wheels and 275/35ZR18 tires in the front, and 19 x12-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear -the largest wheel-and-tire combination ever offered on a Corvette. Thetires use the latest extended-mobility technology from Goodyear toprovide a satisfactory ride, but still allow the vehicle to achievelateral acceleration of more than 1 g. The extended-mobility tireseliminate the need - and weight - for a spare tire and jack or inflatorkit, while also reducing the chance of a sudden loss of handlingcapability.

Complementing the suspension system and large rolling stock is anequally capable four-wheel disc brake system, consisting of 14-inch (355mm) vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4-inch (340 mm) ventedand cross-drilled rear rotors.

The front rotors are acted upon by large, red-painted six-pistoncalipers that use six individual brake pads. Individual brake pads areused because they deliver more equalized wear compared to what wouldotherwise be a pair of very long single-piece pads. For the rear brakes,four-piston calipers with four individual brake pads are used. A Delphifour-channel ABS system is standard, as is a very competent activehandling system - complete with a Competitive Driving mode.