2001 Corvette
The 2001 Corvette Z06 replaced the 2000 hardtop
and brought ZR-1-like muscle to the Corvette. The name was chosen to honor Zora
Arkus-Duntov and the original race-ready Z06 package that was introduced in
1963. At the heart of the new flagship was a newly engineered powerplant,
called the LS6.
The hardtop (foreground) realized its performance potential in 2001 as Chevrolet
transformed it into the 2001 Corvette Z06 with a new LS6 V-8.
See more pictures of Corvettes.
Larger fuel injectors were in place to match the added air volume, and a unique titanium exhaust system that was 50 percent lighter than the standard stainless-steel array was included to help relieve exhaust-gas back-pressure. Finally, stronger valve springs were added to manage the higher rpm.
A new six-speed manual transmission, the only available Z06 gearbox, came with more-aggressive gearing. With an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 8.09 pounds per horsepower, this was clearly the fastest Corvette ever produced. Chevy boasted 0-60 mph times for the Z06 of around four seconds, reaching the quarter-mile in just over 12 ticks of the clock. Clearly, the Corvette could again run unashamedly with the likes of some of the fastest production cars in the world.
Added
to help handle the Z06's extra go-power was an exclusive suspension, named FE4,
that came with a larger front stabilizer bar, stiffer rear leaf spring, and
revised camber settings, all calibrated to deliver maximum high-speed control.
Wider and grippier Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, created specifically for
the car, weighed less than the standard rubber and came with an asymmetrical
tread design to better hold onto both dry and wet roads. The new tires also had
more compliant sidewalls and improved wear characteristics.
As with the ZR-1, unique styling cues added to differentiate the Z06 were minimal. These included the addition of purposeful grilles to the center air inlets on the front fascia, and air scoops added to the rear rocker panels to feed air to the rear brakes for better cooling. Finally, both the disc-brake calipers and the engine cover were painted bright red, and Z06 emblems were added to the front fenders.
Inside,
the Z06 sported an exclusive instrument cluster with stylized graphics that
helped to accentuate the model's higher 6,500 rpm redline. Seats were
leather-trimmed in solid black (with Torch Red accents optional) and included
additional side bolstering to help occupants remain firmly planted no matter
how high the g-forces became during cornering; headrests were embroidered with
Z06 logos.
Needless to say, critics were wildly enthusiastic about the Z06. They heralded it as race-ready out of the box, a bona fide bargain among high-performance sports cars, and a new Corvette legend.
Buyers of 2001 Corvettes could opt to take delivery at the National
Corvette Museum, near the Bowling Green, Kentucky, factory.
The additional power was found at lower engine speeds. For example, 340 lb-ft now came at 2,500 rpm, which was 1,400 revs earlier than before. This meant that the "slowest" Corvette (a base model with the automatic, which Chevy said was ordered by 60 percent of buyers) racked up a 0-60 mph time that was a full quarter second quicker than the 2000 model. When fitted with the performance axle, the automatic could now run as fast as the previous year's manual-gearbox version.
What's
more, LT1 fuel economy improved by one mpg, and all Corvettes were now
certified as National Low-Emission Vehicles (NLEV). The LT1 engine also
received a stronger, larger-diameter aluminum driveshaft, and base
manual-gearbox versions received a revised clutch that required less pedal
pressure to engage.
Chevrolet introduced a version of the Corvette's Active Handling system for 2001 and made it standard across the line. It featured a new brake-pressure modulator supplied by Bosch and a number of new or revised system calibrations. The new stability control system was programmed to be less "intrusive" than the previous version. Also included for the first time on the coupe and convertible was an absorbent glass mat battery, which was lighter and more durable than the cell it replaced. A revised alternator included a new clutch pulley that helped eliminate "idle creep" on automatic transmission models.
Added
sound insulation made for a quieter ride, and auto-dimming
"electrochromic" side and rearview mirrors were newly added to the
options list for '01. Convertibles received a new top that offered a tighter
seal, improved noise isolation, and a smoother look. Chrome-flashed exhaust
tips were also new.
Prices
nudged upward for 2001: $39,830 for the coupe and $46,355 for the ragtop.
Buoyed by 5,798 units of the new Z06, 2001 Corvette sales leaped ahead to
35,537, its highest volume since 1985.
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
2001 Corvette
2002 Corvette2003 Corvette2004 Corvette
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.
2001 Corvette Specifications
Chevrolet introduced the powerful new Z06 to the 2001 Corvette lineup. Revised suspension, red brake calipers, and rear brake cooling ducts were among many other Z06 exclusives. The 2001 convertible and coupe models also benefited from the new LS6 V-8 developed for the Z06. Here are the specifications for the 2001 Corvette:
The 2001 Corvette convertible got a smoother-looking soft top
with better sealing and sound insulation.
Vehicle Specifications
HatchbackConvertible
Coupe
Wheelbase, inches
104.5
104.5
104.5
Length, inches
179.7
179.7
179.7
Width, inches
73.6
73.6
73.6
Track, inches
front: 62.1 rear: 62.2
front: 62.1 rear: 62.2 front: 62.1 rear: 62.2
Height, inches
47.8
47.7
47.9
Curb weight, pounds
3,212
3,207
3,130
Mechanical Specifications (2-door hatchback/convertible/coupe)
Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, transverse composite monoleaf spring, tube shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, upper and lower A-arms, toe links, transverse composite monoleaf springs, tube shock absorbers, antiroll bar
Wheels/Tires
front: P245/45ZR-17 (Z06, P265/40ZR-17)
rear: P275/40ZR-18 (Z06, P295/35ZR-18)
Brakes
front: anti-lock 12.6-inch disc
rear: anti-lock 11.6-inch disc
Transmission
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Standard axle ratio
2.73:1 (auto) 3.42:1 (manual)
Engine Specifications
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cu inch
5.7/350
5.7/350
Bore × stroke, inches
3.90 × 3.62
3.90 × 3.62
Fuel management
Sequential Injection
Sequential Injection
Horsepower @ rpm
350 @ 5,600
385 @ 6,000Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
375 @ 4,400385 @ 4,800
Published Performance Numbers
Acceleration
385 hp, 6-speed manual
0-60 mph, sec
4.6
0-100 mph, sed
10.5
1/4-mile, sec @ mph
13.0 @ 110.5
Source: Road & Track
Vehicle Production and Base Prices
Production Price 2-door hatchback 15,681
$40,475.00
2-door Z06 coupe
5,773
47,500.00 2-door convertible 14,173
47,000.00
Options and Production
Option Production PricePreferred Equipment Group (hatchback)2,514
$1,639.00
Preferred Equipment Group (convertible)
1,710
1,769.00
Preferred Equipment Group (hatchback)
11,558
2,544.00
Preferred Equipment Group (convertible)
11,881
2,494.00
Memory Package
4,780
150.00
Floor Mats
34,907
25.00
Body Side Moldings
20,457
75.00
Dual Removable Roof Panels
5,099
1,100.00
Removable Roof Panel, blue tint
4,769
650.00
Electrochromic Mirrors
4,576
120.00
Selective Real Time Damping
5,620
1,695.00
Performance Axle Ratio (3.25 ratio for automatic)
12,882
300.00
6-Speed Manual Transmission
16,019
815.00
Magnesium Wheels
1,022
2,000.00
Polished Aluminum Wheels
22,980
895.00
Corvette Museum Delivery
457
490.00
Delco Stereo Cassette (replaces std radio)
6,844
-100.00
Delco Stereo System w/CD
28,783
100.00
Remote 12-Disc Changer
14,198
600.00
Front License Plate Frame
18,935
15.00
Performance Handling Package
7,817
350.00
Millennium Yellow w/tint coat
3,887
600.00
Magnetic Red Metallic Paint
3,322
600.00
Color Choices and Production
Color Choice
Production Color Choice
Production
Light Pewter Metallic3,462
Quicksilver Metallic
4,822
Navy Blue Metallic 2,587
Speedway White
2,465
Black6,971
Torch Red7,192
Millennium Yellow3,887
Magnetic Red Metallic3,322
Dark Bowling Green Metallic
919
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
1997 Corvette1998 Corvette1999 Corvette2000 Corvette
2001 Corvette2002 Corvette2003 Corvette2004 Corvette
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.