October29
On display at the GM's stage at the SEMA car customization show this week will be an Ethanol-powered Chevrolet Corvette Z06 — owned by Jay Leno — with 600 horsepower. The car will be displayed alongside a hot-rod inspired by a 1934 Chevy that is powered by a 500 horsepower FlexFuel version of GM's turbocharged Ecotec engine.
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 delivers 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."
Other noteworthy GM vehicles to grace the show will be the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible concept, the Saturn Astra and the Pontiac G8.
E-85 powered Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Green and mean - is this Gore inspired slogan. With drought in Midwest and western states are we sure that there is enough corn to produce booze for cars and feed cows? Interesting dilemma alcohol or stake?
if i cant have steak with my beer there is going to be a revolt.
wait a minute did i just read 500 hp ecotec?
cant wait till Sema!…counting the days now
Ecotec is label on Opel engines. I thought it meant compliance with Euro environmental laws. It's a marketing term. Pre 2.4L GM 4 cylinders were based on Ecotec (1.8 & 2.2L in Saturns). The fact that 2.4L is a new platform specimen does not inspire much into the term.
autonut: Drought indeed, hardly any rain at all here in Indiana all summer, it's been raining like shit the past couple days but other than that, you're right.
Oh and really cool teaser image GM! That doesn't look like a first year design students work or anything…
Interesting, a one seat race Solstive… Holes in the hood suggest a higher performance engine than the GXP.
"Green is a waste of money."
Yeah your right fuck the earth i guess lol
Yeah, that's what the Solstice needs.. an even SMALLER cabin.
By the way, anyone else going to SEMA? I'm going on the 31st and 1st.
Unleash Rousch on the Pontiac G8 and watch the jaws drop.
It's amazing what Rousch did with the G6 a year or two back. It's a shame GM didn't learn from them when the production GXP was designed.
Perhaps you mean "Roush"?
Yessir, my bad.
I'll be there, but I'm not as excited about it as some other events. Hell, I spent the last two days driving minivans, so passing a kidney stone seems axciting right about now.
SEMA is a sham these days. The vehicles are all overdone and ugly, the only attractive models are often the regular production ones.
As for GM's lineup…I'm interested to see more of the Solstice (LOVE the production car), but GM needs to recognize that E85 is an environmental sham and an economical disaster. I wish they'd stop spending needed money on making crappy FlexFuel engines out of their OHV designs.
i wish i was jay leno
yea i wud luv a shovel chin
word homie
I agree. This car better be faster than a regular Z06–and I would expect that it would be with an extra 95bhp–because it's pretty flawed as a concept. Does GM honestly expect people to believe that their monstrous engines are "green" because they burn E85? I mean, I can see where it's necessary to try and convince people of that in the truck & suv market, because that's their bread & butter, but just leave the Corvette alone. It's not a "green" car, and more to the point, it doesn't need to be.
Its not about being green so much, its more about keeping money here instead of sending it to the middle east.
nowei it gets better mpg than alot of "green" passenger cars, but i fully agree it doesnt need to be touted as a "green car"
E85 has no future in energy. Think Hydrogen.
SEMA SUCKS
I don't give a sh*t about E85…. it emits more greenhouse gas refining and transporting the stuff than it saves by using 15% fuel from corn.
On the other hand, thats how the bodywork and interior SHOULD HAVE LOOKED on the Corvette Z06. Love the revised front bumper and side skirts. agressive. Still no GT-R though…
TEASER IMAGES ARE GAY.
now those first two images look horrible…did a fifth grader just learn how to use photoshop?
blah blah gt-r blah blah, dont you have homework to do, or is it your break from your videogame there fanboy/girl/hermie
First off, E85 is 85% ethanol.
Second, the car is still pretty bad ass. If Leno wants to put out the coin to have this built, more power to him.
And third, the Ecotec engine is capable of a lot more than 500HP. There are several ecotec engines boosted way past 1000HP for some of GMs Bonneville flats cars. This may not be a very refined engine, but it is durable and able to handle a lot of power.
Ethanol also has some serious performance benefits. Since Ethanol is higher octane it allows for higher compression and boost with less risk of detonation. This has allowed some tuners to crank up ridiculous amounts of power by taking advantage of this alternate fuel. Now, I don't think that ethanol is any greener as it has less energy per gallon and fuel economy goes down. But, I won't knock some of its "other benefits".
See, bastards? GM *still* innovates new stuff every time. Awesome job on this one, GM.