New Z06 pricing announced: Brains melt

"Illegal Machine" (illmac) 08/22/2014 at 10:25 • Filed to: None

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So the new 650hp supercharged Z06 pricing was announced: It's starting at $78,995.

That's only $6K more than the Camaro Z/28, $24K less than the SRT Viper and GTR. The Viper and GTR's usually hit the lots optioned much higher.

That's $40K less than the outgoing ZR1 3ZR.

My question is: WHY!?

I'm trying to wrap my head around Chevy's motivation in pricing this car so low, and I honestly can't find it. It would have been a steal at $90K (which is approximately what the Z07 aero package w/ carbon ceramic rotors costs), right? The GT500 and Hellcat aren't competing vehicles. The closest competition I can think of is a well optioned Stingray.

I think we were all expecting this to slide closer to the ZR1 in pricing, since it's the same concept (S/C V8 + Carbon fiber).

Needless to say, between the Hellcat and the Z06, 2015 has destroyed my no concept of HP per dollar.

Here's the press release for all the details.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

PS9 > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:28

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It's about what the last z06 MSRPd for, and the new base model is almost as good as that car was, so...why not? Also good to twist the knife against the Viper.

Illegal Machine > PS9 08/22/2014 at 10:30

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Because it's not a N/A Z06. This is the evolution of the ZR1, with a Z06 price tag and badge.

Milky > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:31

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Because there is a Z07 package, a Carbon package and 3 trim levels like the base 'Vette. So the one you want is $100k.

Illegal Machine > Milky 08/22/2014 at 10:34

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The carbon fiber package is $3k.

The Z07 package is only $8k. So with carbon ceramic brakes, it's $87K.

mcseanerson > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:36

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I think Chevy plans to swap Z06 and ZR1 pricing. I think they are going to offer a true track focused model like previous Z06 models but price it like the ZR1.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:38

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Z07 includes carbon brakes

Milky > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:38

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Yea, but then you still have the base interior … and if I'm spending $90k I'm going to want some nice leather wrapped shit, not just seats. So it'd be 2lt or 3lt for me.

Illegal Machine > mcseanerson 08/22/2014 at 10:39

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But that's the Z07 package.

It adds: Carbon Ceramic brakes and "adds adjustable front and rear aerodynamic components to the Carbon Fiber Ground Effects package for unprecedented aerodynamic downforce and Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires for enhanced grip".

So, it puts Sport Cup tires, carbon ceramic brakes, the most downforce of any Chevy ever tested. Less than 90K.

Illegal Machine > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 08/22/2014 at 10:40

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That's what I said. Add the Z07 package (which gives you CC brakes) and it's 87k.

mcseanerson > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:40

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I want light weight, no convertible, and rawness. Somehow I'm not convinced Z07 is the ultimate track package yet.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:41

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It was sounding like you were saying Z07 + Carbon brakes

spanfucker retire bitch > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:41

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Why?

Because GM wants to destroy ALL THE THINGS, but do it at a reasonable price.

Illegal Machine > spanfucker retire bitch 08/22/2014 at 10:42

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That's the only conclusion.

spanfucker retire bitch > mcseanerson 08/22/2014 at 10:46

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Didn't the head of performance state there was talk about a track-only version of the C7 Z06? I thought I remember reading an article regarding the production of a vehicle that wouldn't even be road legal.

Decay buys too many beaters > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:50

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Well, looks like it's time to start saving. Damn, you GM, you've priced this so I can realistically own one in exchange for a few years of ramen noodles and canned soup.

mcseanerson > spanfucker retire bitch 08/22/2014 at 10:52

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I could have sworn I read something that said there is something similar in the pipeline at one point but my opinion is more a gut instinct than anything. I think Chevy realized it's cheaper and more marketable to just strap a blower to a regular Corvette and add a couple features and market it mid level. Then they can offer something crazy like a corvette with it's own frame and 427 small block and charge top tier pricing for it. I imagine the top trim will probably be a twin turbo with a lighter frame and all the other goodies from the Z06.

PS9 > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:53

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The Corvette doesn't exist in a vacuum, and wasn't the only car to evolve between then and now. The ZR1 wasn't a supercar, but compared favorably to them. It was legitimate to pick a ZR1 over an enzo ...or even a Veyron. But times changed, the 650HP Enzo became the ~950 HP LaFerrari, and the base corvette became almost as good as the outgoing Zo6 for $20k less, so the new Zo6 became be old ZR1 for an even bigger discount.

tl;dr -> stuff changes.

DoYouEvenShift > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:55

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I read an article about the LT4 recently. Thr engineers said this engine is what they came up with in place if the LS7. And hinted towards a more ridiculous ZR1.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 10:58

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I would posit it is GM establishing territory the way the 911 did with its space; between the entry level Vette and this, you cover a LOT of ground and make it difficult for others to compete on performance (they have to go with things like utility or build quality or whatever other selling points they like).

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > Decay buys too many beaters 08/22/2014 at 11:00

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And THAT is why they are doing it at this price.

Illegal Machine > PS9 08/22/2014 at 11:06

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Except the Enzo was $650K and the La Ferrari is $1.6 million.

That's my point. In the case of the Corvette, pricing went backwards drastically.

briannutter1 > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 11:07

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God help LaFerrari, P1, and 918 if GM ever decides to do a twin turbo mid engine version and price it at $150k.

Illegal Machine > briannutter1 08/22/2014 at 11:10

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Right? With a hybrid/KERS system. Jesus.

And with the Stingray moving to 29mpg, I wouldn't be surprised if this thing ended up with 32mpg at this point.

PS9 > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 11:10

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Ferrari today sells a car that gives more power than the Enzo had for half of what it used to cost. It's not that the Corvette can be had for a massive discount now; it's that automotive technology got better across the board, and the economies of scale allow people who make cars to make far better versions of what used to be for the same MSRP. Actually a bit less than the same if you factor in inflation.

Illegal Machine > PS9 08/22/2014 at 11:16

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We're talking ONE model year separating the '13 ZR1 and the '15 Z06.

You're saying,"Duh, they'd produce a car with more HP than the ZR1 which was critically acclaimed at it's price, and knocked 20-30K off it's MSRP." like it's no big deal.

briannutter1 > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 11:17

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I'd like to keep it old school...thinking a Hennessey Venom but built with more stick in mind and economies of scale to keep it relatively inexpensive. Heck, maybe just build a 1000 C7R's and call it a day.

Crest > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 11:28

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My God! Fuck every other car then. I'll just buy two Z06's and call it a day

PS9 > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 11:29

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Because it isn't. It wouldn't be happening on a global scale at multiple auto firms if it were.

Ryanator122 > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 11:33

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So what were saying is the new Z06 is like the ZR-1.

So the new ZR1 must have like lasers or something.

Illegal Machine > PS9 08/22/2014 at 11:34

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It's not "happening on a global scale". The GTR's price continues to climb. The Viper's price continues to climb. The SRT Hellcat's price is still a premium over the 392 SRT. The GT500's price went up from 1 gen to the next.

The Hellcat and Z06 may BEGIN this on a global scale, but to this point, it's unheard of.

Illegal Machine > Ryanator122 08/22/2014 at 11:36

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ZR1 = Flying car!?? Aquatic mode!?

StingrayJake > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 11:50

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General Motors, the local car salesman: WE'RE PRACTICALLY GIVING THESE CARS AWAY!

Saracen > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 12:01

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Textured Soy Protein > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 12:44

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That's a hell of a good price.

I did a little digging into the C6 production numbers , and basically, it's been several years since either the Z06 or ZR1 did decent sales numbers. GM needed to price the C7 Z06 aggressively in order to sell in enough quantity to justify building it. I think they've succeeded.

More detailed observations:

One of the big reasons for the higher prices on the C6 Z models was they had aluminum frames but the rest had steel frames, and they both had unique, hand-built motors.

GM built 4684 ZR1s from the 2009 through 2013, but 64% of those cars were 2009s & 2010s. They only sold 265 2012s and 351 2013s.

The C6 Z06 sold big numbers at first: 6272 in 2006, 8159 in 2007, 7731 in 2008. In 2009, Z06 sales dropped to 3461, and that was the last year that GM managed to sell over 1000 units.

The Grand Sport came out in 2010, and consistently outsold the Z06 and ZR1 combined.

Now, how does this factor into C7 Z06 pricing? Road & Track had a good article a while back that quoted GM engineers talking about how the C7 Z06 needs to sell well to justify its existence. It's been several years since the Z06 & ZR1 sold well.

In the simplified C7 lineup with just the Stingray and Z06, they all have aluminum frames, which makes the aluminum frames cheaper to produce. Combine that with not having to build different Z06 and ZR1 motors which also saves money, and that allows GM to price the Z06 where it should hopefully sell well (talk about a crazy performance bargain) and still turn a profit.

Frank Grimes > Illegal Machine 08/22/2014 at 13:55

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Maybe cheap crash testing for motorsports think of all the knobs who will buy and crash them! collect data=win