hisvett

Jay Leno E85 C6RS Corvette
GREEN AND MEAN: JAY LENO’S E85-CAPABLE Z06-INSPIRED C6RS CORVETTE BOASTS 600 HP AND ALTERNATIVE-FUEL CAPABILITY
For release: Oct. 29, 2007, 12:01 a.m. EDT
















LAS VEGAS – “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno’s predilection for performance cars is no secret, but many fellow enthusiasts may not know that he is keenly interested in alternative fuels. To prove that red-blooded power mixes easily with a touch of green, Leno partnered with Pratt & Miller – the engineering company that builds and campaigns C6.R Corvettes – to develop a modified Corvette Z06 that is capable of running on E85 ethanol. It was unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show.

More than merely a conversion of the stock LS7 engine to E85 capability, Leno’s alternative-fuel supercar is powered by a custom, 8.2L (500-cubic-inch) all-aluminum small-block V-8 that pumps out approximately 600 horsepower and 585 lb.-ft. of torque.

“The C6RS is the result of an idea we hatched to prove that high-performance cars and alternative fuel technology weren’t diametrically opposed concepts,” said Leno. “I love the idea of having 600 horsepower at my disposal, but using a homegrown alternative to gasoline.”

The engine is built around a custom aluminum cylinder block that was CNC-milled from a single block of billet aluminum. And while the cylinder heads, intake system and dry-sump oiling system are stock LS7 components, the engine – which has larger bore and stroke dimensions than the 7.0L (427-cubic-inch) LS7 – uses a one-off reciprocating assembly, including a forged steel crankshaft, forged rods and forged pistons. Katech Engines, the company that builds engines for the Corvette C6.R racing program, developed the engine.

The fuel system and engine control computer were modified to accommodate E85, and spent gases exit through a Corsa exhaust system. Supporting the 600-horse engine’s power is a blueprinted and strengthened T-56 six-speed transmission and a high-performance Centerforce dual-friction clutch.

C6.R inspiration
On the outside, Leno’s bad and black C6RS emulates the styling of C6.R racecars, with wider front and rear fenders and a wider rear fascia with an integrated spoiler on top and a racing-style diffuser at the bottom (the diffuser incorporates an LED-lit backup lamp). A C6.R-style waterfall hood front fender louvers, rockers and lower grille opening further define this special Corvette – and all of the car’s front-end panels are made of carbon-fiber, including custom brake air ducts routed through the front fenders. With all of its body modifications, Leno’s C6RS is 1.6 inches wider than stock.

The C6.R’s – and production Corvette’s – aerodynamically styled bodywork is designed to slice efficiently through the wind, which helps enhance fuel mileage.

The race-ready look of the car is enhanced with a quartet of BBS wheels that feature racing-type locking center hubs. The forged aluminum 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels ride on Michelin P295/30ZR18 and P345/30ZR19 tires, respectively.

Adding authenticity to the car’s custom bodywork was the involvement of Pratt & Miller. The company took on the task of crafting Leno’s Corvette into a street-going replica of the racecars, which included installing or fabricating a host of unique components, including:
• A custom DeWitt high-capacity radiator with dual cooling fans
• A carbon-fiber ram-air induction system
• Carbon-fiber inner fender panels that vent hot air from the engine compartment
• Brembo brakes with six-piston mono-block calipers in front and four-piston rear calipers
• Dyna-Mat used throughout the cabin and chassis to reduce interior noise

While the exterior and drivetrain were inspired by the racetrack, the C6RS’s cabin exudes luxury, with premium touches and enhancements from Genuine Corvette Accessories that include a two-tone shift **** and boot; leather-covered console armrest, parking brake handle and boot; an interior trim kit, racing-style pedal covers and more.

With its 600 horses on tap and domestically produced E85 fuel in the tank, Jay Leno’s alternative-fueled C6RS is an all-American supercar that proves high performance and environmental consciousness go together like the Corvette and checkered flags.

I Want One

hisvett

http://www.prattmiller.com/

More Info

xsiveone

Nice.. I applaud Jay Leno for doing this. It's not only a great car, it's a great statement. Ethanol may not be exactly where we want it to be at the moment, but it's a step in the right direction IMO. Maybe some day, they will be able to produce Ethanol out of something that we have plenty of, like garbage.

Now.. If NASCAR would jump on board.

Slalom4me

I predict that this will not be offered to the general public as a
crate-engine package any time soon.

600 HP/585 TQ from 8.2 L? It would be interesting to see a dyno sheet
- especially the BSFC value.

A gallon of E85 has an energy content of about 80,000 BTU, compared
to gasoline's 124,800 BTU. So for a given output, an E85 engine
requires more displacement than a engine using conventional fuel.

However, Katech only increased displacement by 17% to compensate
for E85, which has just 65% the BTU value of gasoline and yet they still
wound up with 10% more power (600 vs 550). Consider also that
generally there are rising inefficiencies as displacement increases
- these keep HP from rising in lockstep with displacement.

Nice job on the engine development, Katach.

.

xsiveone

How do you tune an engine for using both Ethanol and Gasoline? Do they have two separate tunes depending on the fuel? Doesn't Ethanol have a much higher octane rating than Gasoline?

Did they build this yet because those side shots are a photochop.

I love that hood. It looks just like the one on the C6.R. I'm wondering why I've never seen this hood on a production car?

I also love that they did away with the goofy back up lights and replaced them with the under body diffusers. That looks MUCH better.

I just read that they might make this car in limited numbers for $185K plus a donor car. That's a bit steep, isn't it? Are they talking about starting with a brand new C6 Z06?

xsiveone

Here are photos of the real thing.

http://www.linkinn.com/_Corvette_C6RS-gimuzo

I wish that GM would make the engine this way. I like the exposed valve covers much better than the plastic covers.

Jeffvette

Really like how the photochopped the car into the picture

jtkeller

Does anyone know who the seats are made by?

96CollectorSport

The tag on the seat said LEAR, I thought they made jets!

xsiveone

They make seats too. I believe that they made the seats for some of the 80's Buicks.

mousecatcher

then you haven't been reading the c6z forum. katech will be offering the 500ci crate engine, i think next month. it's not the c6rs engine as i understand it, but it is very close. 600HP/600TQ.

MungoZ06

Corvette started offering Lear seats in '94

Slalom4me

Two different and never related companies
Lear Corporation is in China, India, Germany and at least 30 other
countries. No doubt they've put seats in more than just Buicks back
in the '80's.

The jet was a product of a company Bill Lear started in 1963 when
Swiss American Aviation Company (SAAC) was renamed Lear Jet
Corporation with the aim of repurposing a military jet that SAAC
had been developing through the '50's and to turn this into the world's
first mass produced business jet.

Bill Lear was a very interesting guy. He co-developed the first practical
automotive radio. With the money he made from this, he started Lear
Inc. and went into the business of avionics. He wanted to build jets
but the Lear Inc board said no, so he sold Lear Inc to Siegler.

(Siegler created the Lear Siegler Power Equipment Div. and focused on
electromechanical equipment for aerospace, missile, and ordnance
applications. Later, LSI had trouble meeting QA for Patriot equipment,
they were eventually purchased by Lucas and renamed Lucas
Aerospace Power Equipment Corporation.)

In '67 Lear sold all his assets to Gates Rubber. In '69, what had been
Lear Jet Corporation became Gates Learjet Corporation. Then in '90,
Bombardier Aerospace purchased the Learjet Corporation. Anyone
who has flown on a Canadair Regional Jet can reasonably say they've
riden in one of Lear's creations.

In about '68, Bill Lear announced he was working on a steam turbine
for automotive use. Apparently a bus and a Monte Carlo were fitted
with versions. James (Jim) Crank has made uncomplimentary remarks
about the value and motivations of the research behind these projects.
He is entitled to an opinion as he bought the remains of the projects.
James Crank also built a steam car for an LSR attempt at Bonneville.
He sold it to Bob Barber and in '85 Barber set the current steam record.



Back to Bill Lear. He is also credited with development of the 8-track
tape player, the '60's equivalent of the iPod which some here may be
old enough to remember.

.

xsiveone

I didn't say that they just made seats for '80's Buicks. I didn't know about the two separate companies. I do know that Lear Siegler made the Buick seats though because that's what they were called.

Slalom4me

"It's not the C6RS engine as I understand it, but it is very close."

Well, if it isn't the E85-capable engine with the machined-billet block,
then my comment still stands.

The HP/TQ isn't what is remarkable here. I haven't been paying attention,
but I believe these numbers have been achieved already using conventional
NA technology.

The displacement may have already been reached using liners in
existing blocks - again, I don't claim to be current on such things.
However, a billet block raises the bar.

What seems like the biggest barrier for a shadetree swapper is that
E85 is said to be quite corrosive. As I understand it, significant
changes would be required to the fuel delivery system - this is where
I think the mass availablity crate-engine concept might run in troubles.

I'll go search out the C6Z threads you mentioned.

Thanks,
Ken R.

.

beerkat

Here is a link to AutoWeek story on the CR6S.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../71105002/1065

hisvett

SPECS
ON SALE: April 2008

BASE PRICE: $225,000 (est., including cost of Z06)

DRIVETRAIN: 8.2-liter, 600-hp, 600-lb-ft V8; rwd, six-speed manual

CURB WEIGHT: 3166 lb

0-60 MPH: 3.56 sec (est)

FUEL ECONOMY 9EPA): N/A

Note to self: check Power Ball Numbers

stax68

Wonder what it sounds like.. should sound similar I guess..?

69mako

I enjoy the look of the Z06 body, but I have to say I’m not impressed with the new fascia and side skirts glued on to Jay’s Z06, those parts look like the were left over from a garage sale some ricer had

It’s possible they help the aerodynamics of the car, but as for aesthetics they are not pleasing to the eye or the lines of the Z06

xsiveone

Sound similar to what?