Callaway Cars today announced it will unveil the C16 Cabrio, the company’s convertible variant of the limited production C16, at the New York International Auto Show.
To create the C16, Callaway integrated powertrain, brakes and suspension enhancements into the current Chevrolet Corvette platform. Six-speed manual or paddle-shift automatic transmissions are available with either standard 560 or optional 616 horsepower engines.
The C16 Cabrio, like the C16 Coupe, was drawn and modeled by designer Paul Deutschman who has a twenty-year portfolio of Callaway designs.
“With this car, we’ve maintained the C16’s class-leading performance, while creating a gorgeous ‘Cabrio’ version, based on one of the best sports car platforms available anywhere,” says company founder Reeves Callaway. “In true Callaway tradition, it incorporates our race-proven technologies, painstaking testing and validation efforts, and expert craftsmanship in an arresting and appealing style.”
The C16’s Callaway-supercharged 6.0L engine provides world-class power, producing 560 bhp at 6,200 rpm and 529 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. The optional 616 HP Performance Package raises the bar to 616 bhp and 582 lb-ft of torque, propelling the paddle-shifted Cabrio from 0-to-60 in 3.5 seconds. Quarter-mile acceleration tests consistently record low 11-second elapsed times. Maximum speed of the C16 Cabrio is estimated at just over 200 mph. Equally impressive is its fuel efficiency rating of 18 city/28 highway. Callaway’s warranty covers the equipment for 5 years or 100,000 miles.
Inside the C16 cockpit, door sill panels, dash pad, and steering wheel are upgraded and carry signature Callaway badging. The optional “Deutschleder” package completely retools the interior in fine German leather and Alcantara, featuring seats manufactured for Callaway by Recaro. Clients choose exterior and interior colors to suit individual taste. Each C16 Cabrio is built to order, serialized and identified by its build plaque.
The handling precision of the C16 is courtesy of the newly developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension. This joint development effort produced an advanced spring/damper system, featuring 10-position compression and rebound adjustability, allowing the driver to customize settings for specific track or road conditions. The sophisticated design provides excellent response while avoiding racecar-like rough ride characteristics.
To bring the C16 Cabrio from 200+ mph to rest, Callaway utilizes a StopTech brake system featuring 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers gripping 355mm x 32 mm rotors.
Callaway/Dymag wheels weigh approximately half that of their aluminum counterparts, providing significantly reduced unsprung weight for improved acceleration, cornering and braking. These TUV- and DOT-certified wheels feature forged magnesium spiders surrounded by carbon fiber rims and measure 19” by 10” front and 20” by 12” rear. Another of Callaway’s technology partners, Yokohama Tire, developed their “AdvanSport” specifically for the C16 in 285/30ZR19 front and 325/25ZR20 rear sizes.
Pricing for the C16 Cabrio starts at $128,765 USD. Callaway C16 components are also available individually for 2005 – 2007 Corvettes through Callaway authorized retailers and installers.



03/19, 2:21 PM
posted by:
anyclearer
There isnt anything else to say but this car is hot.
03/19, 2:24 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
I should think it will be good. American muscle…enhanced. I love tuned Corvettes and Mustangs. Much more desirable than that SLR oddity. I will have to import it, and once Mr Blair and his draconian Health and Safety police have given it a thourough going over, it will be quieter and much more expensive, probably raising the price by 40 000 very loud, noisy, ostentatious dollars
03/19, 2:30 PM
posted by:
zerotosixty
Well the design is a success if their goal was to make a Corvette as ugly as humanly possible.
03/19, 2:32 PM
posted by:
warmasice
another american piece of crap
03/19, 2:37 PM
posted by:
jonstew
“another american piece of crap” what is the point of a comment like that?
03/19, 2:43 PM
posted by:
CAPTAIN AMERICA
you cant beat the performance for that price…stellar
03/19, 2:46 PM
posted by:
gbb
Worlds best sports car dollar for dollar made even better. I like it when a plan comes together.
03/19, 2:54 PM
posted by:
motorheader
What is it ’bout this BLUE interior? Hope you can get it with more pleasant interior colors!!
03/19, 2:54 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
I agree its sharp but the new Maseratis and AlfaRomeo 3C is the sexor!
03/19, 3:06 PM
posted by:
W16
Come on… anyone who´s able to afford a 128K car should know something about cars- and would try to spend the money on a far better car.. (cost Vs. quality?) Design, hi-tech, prestige, etc…
03/19, 3:08 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
I have to agree with deutschetouring. Italian supercars reign supreme. The Alfa 8c is one of my favourites, although only a few are being made, all of which have been bought. The Maserati coupe is totally awesome, far better than its soulless German rivals.
03/19, 3:11 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
“Come on… anyone who´s able to afford a 128K car should know something about cars- and would try to spend the money on a far better car.. (cost Vs. quality?) Design, hi-tech, prestige, etc…
Comment by W16, posted on March19 at 3:06 pm ”
Yep, and this Callaway has it all. Not big on the blue interior treatment, but I’m sure it’s an option that can be opted out of.
Personally, I would prefer a Lingenfelter twin turbo Z06 over this.
03/19, 3:27 PM
posted by:
S-60-driver
still has a gay interior crap from stock Corvette!
Putting blue color in makes it even worse than it is already. LOL….TRY AGAIN!
Otherwise, the body design is nice. Thats it.
03/19, 3:33 PM
posted by:
PrimeGTP
A lot of money, but if I already had a Vette, I’d be on the phone seeing how much just the engine modifications including the supercharger would be =P
03/19, 3:46 PM
posted by:
nowei
It’ll be interesting to see how this stacks up against the Z06. I don’t think it’s gonna do Nordschleife in 7:42.
03/19, 3:53 PM
posted by:
A4
callaway is nasty though. coachbuilding comes at a price.
03/19, 4:07 PM
posted by:
Kenny W
Why does it have the old C6 steering wheel?
03/19, 4:20 PM
posted by:
V-series
Awesome car, but Callaway should have used their 4.0L V16. A V16 corvette would be amazing.
03/19, 4:25 PM
posted by:
PrimeGTP
Homeboy, Corvettes are heralded for excellent gas mileage for their engine size. Do you actually know anything about automobiles, or do you just pop in to troll?
03/19, 4:47 PM
posted by:
TedEx
This picture appears to be photoshopped. Look at the hood cowl and the blue accent trim behind the seats.
03/19, 4:50 PM
posted by:
PrimeGTP
Considering the first sentence of the article establishes that it hasn’t been revealed yet…duh.
03/19, 5:18 PM
posted by:
RLX02
to the morons who just look a the picture and don’t read the article:
ITS NOT RELEASED YET. THIS MEANS ITS A PHOTOSHOPPED PICTURE AND YOU CAN CHOOSE WHATEVER INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR COLOR YOU WANT.
think/read before you talk, idiots. I hate flaming but idiots who post need TO GO.
03/19, 5:29 PM
posted by:
S-60-driver
^ RLX02-
they are going to UNVEIL this crap at the New York Auto Show, there will be a real thing. I can bet that it will have the blue crappy interior and same body design as the pic shown above!
otherwise, a waste of car with all the crappy interior crap, yuk!! CRAP CRAP CRAP!!
03/19, 5:31 PM
posted by:
christianboy10
whats up with the two tail lights I think four looks better on the vettes
03/19, 5:37 PM
posted by:
PrimeGTP
S-60, look no further than the Pontiac G8 to see just how far an unveiled model can be from its illustrations..
03/19, 5:55 PM
posted by:
04focus
dang, car looks hot. wish they would do something more with the interior, though.
03/19, 5:59 PM
posted by:
Syrax
is not that much but i only could see zagato’s DB7 (the DB AR-1) http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-abc/Aston-Martin-Zagato-DB-AR1-Rear.jpg
03/19, 6:07 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
As much as I like the idea of a super-hot Vette, I still feel like companies like Callaway and Saleen would be better served by scratch building their own cars from the ground up. They do great work modding existing cars, don’t get me wrong, and I do remember the S7, overpriced and remarkably underwhelming despite it’s massive power and awesome style. That car couldn’t even place above fifth in the American LeMans series.
Anyway. The C16 looks cool, reads a cool, but I’d just skip the hoopla and get a Z06.
03/19, 6:11 PM
posted by:
Toy Yoda
Let’s contrast to my crappy BMW 6e convertibler: My car produces half the horsepower, and the fuel economy is the same. I need to swap out motors.
03/19, 6:11 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
You know that interior IS fake. Someone pointed that out earlier, photoshopped, as he said. A real Corvette interior looks like a very nice as is made to last.
03/19, 6:51 PM
posted by:
RLX02
S-60 driver
did you even look at the picture? Its completely obvious that its photoshop. Yes there is going to be a real car, NO, this isnt it. You can cleary tell someone photoshopped a convertable top onto the C16. The resolution of the two pictures are different and all they did is photoshop the interior blue and the exterior bits blue. And for the last freaking time, people who are going to buy this can get any color they want. Its not going to have a blue only interior. sheesh.
03/19, 7:56 PM
posted by:
autonutt
Where do the ugly fiberglass flying buttresses from the coupe version fold down into? While I commend Callaway’s consistent efforts to extract maximum performance from the Corvette in any way possible, the appearance “enhancements” he employs don’t do anything for me.
03/19, 8:20 PM
posted by:
snipsnorty
Some of you guys suck. Is it to much to ask for you to leave critical comments based upon the appearance of the car and not on each other. With that said, I would take this car any day, without the body. This is a hideous, thoughtless execution of a supercar. If I look at that picture one more time im going to throw up. Hate it. The engine is awesome though. Thank you.
03/19, 8:35 PM
posted by:
A4
oh and its the alfa romeo 8C deutschetouring, not 3C.
03/19, 9:39 PM
posted by:
S-60-driver
RLX02–
yes, i know the pic is fake. Thats why i said, they are going to unveil it at the auto show, so it means, there will be a real thing. I’m not stupid.
I also said that i can B-E-T that it will show the blue crappy interior as the pic above. Key word- BET.
So, relax there.
03/20, 3:12 AM
posted by:
europerspective
No thanks
03/20, 3:22 AM
posted by:
F451
I would not mind owing a Callaway C16. There’s some real brainpower behind their conversions. Besides that, you can get matched luggage for your Callaway (no joke). Callaway provides a comprehensive package (with warranty) for those with discretionary income.
03/20, 8:10 AM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Yes yes its actually Alfa Romeo 8c competizione, I was multitasking =)
03/20, 8:20 AM
posted by:
55amg
urmm, why use a corvette?
03/20, 10:24 AM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Why not? You can try to argue differently but you’d be taking it up with the wrong guys, I didn’t choose the Vette, but the Corvette is not a bad car. It actually world class. That and Callaway has been super-tuning Vettes for ages.
03/20, 11:21 AM
posted by:
Jon Luc
I thought the Geiger Esso Hummer H2 was ugly, but this takes the title.
03/20, 12:09 PM
posted by:
TedEx
Perhaps you missed my point. Multiple comments on the interior sucking or being great, exterior styling etc. What I am saying is you are judging an artists conception of what this car is. Any argument about the car aesthetically is moot because we just have this interpretation. I don’t know what the source of the pictures are but I’m guessing they aren’t actually from Callaway or Paul Deutschman as they look fairly amateur. But nice call on the personal insults RLX02. And CTS DRIVER, if you’re going to insult people, don’t spell LOSER wrong.
03/20, 12:38 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Geez, its only the internet no need to stress. No ones forcing you to come here, you click the link and do it. “There’s no crying in baseball”
03/20, 12:42 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
CTS DRIVER,
Chill. Ignore those chumps. You’ll be surprised just how much fun you’ll have if you do.
03/20, 1:12 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
That is one ****ty interior.
03/20, 1:29 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
yeah blakkar your rite, but the america bashing is just getting way too old. crap tedex mispelled everything in anger. SORRY EVERYONE FOR MY ANGRY RANT.
03/20, 1:55 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
Chill out everyone. If you’re into American muscle, which I am, this car is great. If you don’t like it, so be it. No-one told you to drive and own it, so just give your opinion. Just because one American car is rubbish, it doesn’t mean they all are. Of course only the kick-ass musclecars are worth having, but we’re not here to discuss that. Bear in mind this is a peaceful car news site, please don’t go off with drunken fits of anger.
03/20, 4:50 PM
posted by:
Piablo
Haha, Impulsive’s back playing the same old tune. Get a life buddy.
Calloway puts out some great stuff. Check out their site and see what they have to offer. They build their own race cars and these Vette rebuilds basically help fund it. If you want something as rare as an Enzo for a 5th the cost, this is a prime candidate.
03/20, 5:52 PM
posted by:
Supercharged_
very cool
03/20, 9:52 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
Hahaha, get some taste, “Piablo”, you monkey … it’s a ****ty interior. Bad enough on a $70k car, let alone for this price.
FACT IS FACT.
03/21, 12:11 AM
posted by:
1966_GTO_
Good performance, terrible styling. The interior and extior are just aweful. I’ll wait for a Blue Devil…
03/21, 1:58 PM
posted by:
whoopee
problem is, at $130k its still a vette. at that price range you are going to get more stares from the ladies in your tricked out porsche or “previously owned” ferrari or lambo.
03/29, 3:45 AM
posted by:
correy
One of the concept vehicles that would be making its way to the knowledge and the hearts of the auto industry is the Carbrio, a concept vehicles quite fascinating and quite so popular among many car followers and aficionados. And this would show off whatever pieces of technology the Cabrio would have like perhaps some Pacesetter Exhaust parts and accessories.