I know it's a bit early, but I'm wondering what's in store for the 2006 model. I expect no exterior styling changes, but what will they offer; new option packages (more choices from a cherry-pick list), maybe a combo of F55 with Z51, new ext. color, a more premium audio upgrade, hide that ugly XM antenna, increase HP, new interior options, etc.

Please, I'm NOT suggesting anything in particular, especially anything drastic, I love my C6 as is, just wondering what they will come out with.....

 

jazzlove ...been to Biff Busbys for the car show yet? My C6 was built last Monday...now just waiting for it to arrive at Gunn. As soon as it arrives Im headed to Corvettes of Houston to do the chrome wheel exchange and I have a B&B exhaust on the way. Hope it makes it here for Christmas.
Changes for 2006...you know there will be new colors, new wheels, XM antenna moved, 6 speed automatic.

Ron (Seguin)

Merry Christmas

 

There have been some rumors but I don't expect any changes since they will be working on the Z06 introduction.

 

From the differents comparison tests against the 997 the C6 few flaws have been exposed....

So i think that for the 06 model GM should concentrate and correct the areas were the 997 was better than the C6:

1) More Steering Feel (a common complain in the C6 from all magazines)
2) Shifter was improved but still not up to 997 smoothness....
3) Z51 Shocks could be a little stiffer (tighter)
4) An option of grippier Regular Tires in the Z51
5) Brakes calipers should be 4 pistons in all corners like the 997....

So i think the C6 dynamics and Feel is were it still has a lot of room for improvement....

If they want to continue to close the gap with their main rival (997) IMO those are the things that need improvement.....

The C6 is great but it could be even better......

 

Interesting comments Ivan111, it will be fun to watch how Dave Hill and team respond. The team did state that the C6 was meant to compete against the 911...

 

but i doubt if these changes will come in 06, I would say 07 is more likely...

 

I am pretty confident that they are going to look closely at all these reviews and make the necessary corrections.......

They know that the C6 could have done better in this comparison.....

 

I agree totally with what you guys are saying. But you have to remember these minute details and deficiencies (only in comparison to 997) come at a price. I feel what Dave Hill and his team did to outperform the 997 in many areas for 50K vs 78k is huge. I agree with you guys, they could do more to close the gap, but not at this price. If their desire is to beat the 997 in every performance category the car will cost us 70k+! My opinion would be to leave this amazing car in the evolution process as it has to this point, and make the Z06 the true world beater at those prices.

I'll be happy beating the 997 in almost all outright performance categories, and leave a few on the table for the 52K i''ll pay for it once it arrives next week. The great thing is guys, if you spent the money difference between the Vette and the 997 in all types of mods there would be no comparison left. Can't wait to see what the Z does in January!

 

I think a lot of this is Z06 stuff and will not be made available on the standard C6. It is a question of price and target market. The Porsche that R&T tested was almost $90,000 and still barely beat out the C6 in most handling and performance categories. A 2006 Z06, even at the projected $60-70K price range, should finally win in all categories and still be a bargain in comparison.

I would like to see better feedback in the steering, but that's not a major problem for me since I find the current steering precise and very well weighted. The Z51, IMHO, is an ideal balance between aggressive handling and ride comfort just as it is. There's really not a lot I'd want to see changed on this car...maybe more colors to choose from, a more uplevel sound system, and a manual tranny that was just a little slicker...but the list is pretty short.

Other than the possible addition of the 6 speed automatic, I'd be surprised if there were any significant changes in the 2006 model year.

 

I have heard about a steering wheel paddle shifter for the 6-speed automatic...

 

Ivan -- I think a lot of the items you identified are unrealistic to expect from GM, at least in the near term.

Steering feel and shift feel were C5 complaints, and they were improved for C6. I don't think we'll see second-year (or even mid-cycle) replacements for these parts.

Now that Z51 is as much a fashion statement as a handling choice they'll be reluctant to dial out the ride compliance they built into it. And the car's not hurting on lap times. I think they'll rely on Z06 to capture the interest of the truly hardcore and leave Z51 alone.

Runflats are one of Corvette's differentiators from 911, and they're not going to give them up, especially now that even Z06 will have them. Not even as an option. They already have three wheels on the production line -- doubling the variations to six with an optional tire isn't going to happen.

And everybody said C6's brakes worked well; what problem will four piston calipers solve?

Keep in mind that the gap between Corvette and 911 is very small, and naturally exaggerated in an article directly comparing the two as writers search for differences. The gap is also a function of the two cars' character. I don't think anyone here really wants a Corvette to drive like a 911.

Improvements are always welcome, but now that the word is out I don't think the Y-Body chassis guys are exactly scrambling to fix anything.

.Jinx

 

That would be easy... once they have a 6-speed auto with electronic shifting, they can put the "shifter" anywhere they want. Buttons/paddles on the wheel, in addition to the shift lever itself. My mom's 2001 Audi A4 has shifter buttons on the wheel, so it's not exactly new.


Now keep in mind that this is entirely different from the paddle shifters in a Ferrari. The Ferrari F1 gearbox still has a clutch.

 

Won't happen as long as Dave Hill has a say in it.

 

jazzlove, I'll bet you a gelato that they do "something" with the front license plate issue. I think that would be the number one thing on their plate.

As for other ideas, yeah, a smoother shifter would be cool, but the current one is pretty nice. Brakes...they're great. I see no changes for that. My honest guess would be something in the front plate area and a few color combo changes for interior and exterior. Seems pretty standard/similar for GM's updates to the C5 as it grew up.

 

Beefed up standard A4 trans (the use of bearings in place of bushings in some locations, and stronger shafts that was done in '03 when the trans went from a 4L60E to a 4L65E didn't do enough to the trans),
6-Speed optional Auto Trans,
One or two items standard or included in option packages
Painted XM antenna,
One or two new color options, but bet the interior options stay the same
I would bet there will not be any changes to the brakes, unless they decide to go with the drilled rotors across the board (makes production a bit less expensive and cuts the cost of the drilled rotors due to volume)
Base price increase
Option price increases

 

If you look at the 911 vs C6 comparison the C6 kills it in straight line but in the transitions and in braking the 997 beats the C6.....

M&T said that the 911 could brake 140 feet later or deeper in the corners than the C6 that is huge.....

The more piston area that you have in the calipers the more the clamping force you have with the addition of grippier tires......

C6 Z06 calipers should be a big improvement over the base C6.


I don't have a problem with run-flat tires but don't expect to out corner a 911 in tight transitions with them......

 

Bet you're right Buster1, I didn't even think of the most obvious refinement (along with hiding the XM wart)... That 6 sp auto seems like a real possibility...

I wonder about an exhaust option....???