Corvette GT2 C6.R spotted in ZR1 body
Click above for a larger image along with more shots of the new GT2 Corvette
We recently reported Chevrolet was rumored to be switching from the bespoke wide-body Corvette used in GT1, to a more stock-looking body styled like the ZR1 as it moved into the GT2 class in ALMS. Now, the first few pics of the new Pratt & Miller Corvette C6.R GT2 have surfaced courtesy of Teen Kaas at AmericanLeMansFans.com. Set to challenge the existing front-runner Ferraris, as well as the M3s, Porsches, Viper, Ford GT and Panozes, the ZR1 might be just what the General needs to stay at the head of its class.
As you can see from the photos, the hood window is gone, but the car does bear a resemblance to the ZR1 with a few minor tweaks for the track. There's a revised grille in front, a large spoiler out back and a new diffuers underneath, but other than that it looks fairly close to the stock unit. If the hood window remained you'd see a 6.0-liter LS7 this year, which will be replaced by a 500-hp, 5.5-liter race-tuned LS3 for 2010 when the rules change next year.
Gallery: ALMS GT2 Corvette
[Source: AmericanLemansFans via BadBoy Vettes via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr.Oak 9:11AM (4/15/2009)
They'll be in the fight, and wrestle it away from Ferrari & Porsche in year 2.
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forty 9:24AM (4/15/2009)
The Corvettes will not be fighting Porsche 911's and Ferrari F430's next year. Those cars will be homologated in GT2. The Corvette will be homologated in the revamped GT1. It will be up against the GT1-spec Nissan GT-R, Matech Ford GT, Lamborghini Murciélago, and other cars with 600 - 650 bhp engines of 5.5L or greater.
tenfifteen 10:23AM (4/15/2009)
Corvette Racing is not spending all this time and development to run the GT2 car for half a season. Next year they're running a 5.5L LS3 with output of 500hp.
What impending rules change would homologate the car into GT1? I'm asking because I haven't heard, not being a smart-arse. I thought the next rules revision wasn't until 2011, and haven't heard anything about restrictions based on cubic inches.
Btw, I know their rules are close, but to my knowledge, ACO hasn't yet figured out the GT-R, and imho, the FIA is using an awfully liberal interpretation of homologation by letting it run sans-AWD but with a V8.
forty 10:44AM (4/15/2009)
tenfifteen, it can be a bit complicated. Here's the deal: In 2010 the new GT classes will come into effect (they settled on 2010 for the GT cars. ACO LMP1 and LMP2 have been postponed until 2011). The technical regulations for the new GT1 category are largely based off the current GT2 regulations, with some additional aero details and more powerful engines of 5.5L or greater. This means that a car built to current GT2 spec would be very close to the next generation GT1 class. Thus, by building a Corvette under the current GT2 spec, they are making a car that is very close to the 2010 GT1 spec. They'll be able to take the interim GT2 car from this year, put the new 5.5L engine in it and do some other minor tweaks, and have a new GT1 car with many parts having been proven under race conditions in 2009.
In short, they're doing GT2 this year because the current GT2 car will be next year's GT1 car with a new engine.
RG 9:20AM (4/15/2009)
Wow, with the competition it has, GT2 is going to be the class to watch this year.
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forty 9:21AM (4/15/2009)
Technical note: The 5.5L V8 to be used in 2010 will make 600 bhp as per the new GT1 regulations put forth by the FIA and ACO. It could be tuned to 650 bhp, but the car would be given a weight penalty for the extra horses.
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EJ25RUN 9:32AM (4/15/2009)
Does that look to be Road Atlanta?
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UCJR 9:55AM (4/15/2009)
Race-tuned LS3? Wonder if it'll have a GM Performance Parts catalogue number???
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jerry lipke 9:48AM (4/15/2009)
The misinformation here in only a few posts is amazing.It is a GT2 car and will not be a GT1 car !! Look........no carbon brakes, smaller wing, simple aero package as noted, and simple rear diffuser, all part of the GT2 rules. If you want to run in GT1 next year just buy one of the old cars from P&M after LeMans , modify it , and run it in GT1 .
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forty 10:11AM (4/15/2009)
It is a current GT2 car. The revamped GT1 regulations for 2010 are largely based on current GT2 regulations. The C6R is being built to current GT2 regulations as part of the development for the 2010 GT1 car.
This is all spelled out in press releases from the FIA and Corvette Racing.
FIA:
http://www.fiagt.com/newsitem.php?key=1436
Corvette Racing:
http://www.corvetteracing.com/history/2008releases/general/racing5.shtml
The 'new GT class' referred to in the Corvette announcement is the 2010 FIA GT1 class.
The only misinformation posted here is being done by those who haven't done enough proper research and prematurely post their presumptions without understanding what's really going on.
Cypher09 11:01AM (4/15/2009)
@forty
The link you posted to the FIA's site it says:
"For cars with engines between 5.0L and 5.5L, the manufacturers or tuners will be able to choose homologation in either GT1 or GT2.
In order to make each category unique, one and the same model cannot be homologated in both GT1 and GT2."
So by this logic the new Pratt & Miller Vette is going to be in the GT2 class for 2010, since it's already going to be homologated as a GT2 and the same model can not be homologated in both classes.
"The only misinformation posted here is being done by those who haven't done enough proper research and [b]prematurely post their presumptions[/b] without understanding what's really going on."
You might want to heed your own advice since your assumption is exactly the kind of thing you're attempting to rally against.
forty 11:27AM (4/15/2009)
@Cypher09
The car will be homologated for GT2 in 2009. It has not been homologated in either class for 2010, unless you have access to information that indicates otherwise. Information publicly available is somewhat ambiguous at this point. What you and others have posted does not invalidate any of my assertions. I had some information passed to me in person, which obviously cannot be verified by others, so I won't assert too much based on it other than to say I have good reason to believe in my stand.
I have no desire to get into any kind of flame war, so that shall be that.
Internet: Serious Business!!!1!
why not the LS2LS7? 12:18PM (4/15/2009)
Forty:
Neither ALMS, LMS or Le Mans are FIA series. LMS and Le Mans series are run by the ACO, ALMS by IMSA. The ACO does not currently use FIA spec for GT cars, do you have any info from the ACO indicating they will do so next year?
The ACO has a long history of running their own show, I'd be mildly surprised to see them subjugate to the FIA.
Although I do question your info a bit, I think the idea of dumping the existing GT1 and making a new one that is actually more production-based is a great idea. It'll not only add more cars and brands to the race, but allow the fans and owners of production cars to connect more with the cars out there on the track.
Of course, over time, they'll wander back away I'm sure. But resetting to the start once in a while generally works well, and the ACO has shown themselves to be quite amenable to moving the goalposts in the past.
forty 12:51PM (4/15/2009)
why not the LS2LS7? -
I am quite aware of the differing sanctioning bodies and the current differences in regulations. The only quotable links I have are from FIA sources indicating that these regulations have been drafted in conjunction with the folks at ACO and will be applied to series run by both bodies. I remember reading some info some time ago from the ACO Sports Committee acting under Plassert's direction stating the same, but I cannot find the link to it. I don't think Ratel is talking out his arse when he makes that assertion, and given the current climate in motorsport I think both parties would want to work together rather than fight each other.
As for the dumping of the current GT1 in favor of a more affordable production-based specification, that is indeed what the 2010 regulations are meant to accomplish. I believe you'll find that in the information on the FIA GT website.
Mike 10:03AM (4/15/2009)
What's with the Punisher logo?
And to the people saying this is a GT2 car... it's not, it's GT1.
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forty 10:15AM (4/15/2009)
The 'punisher' logo is Jake - the badboy Corvette thingy for the Corvettes.
And, once more for the record, this is a car built to current GT2 spec in preparation for the 2010 GT1 class which is largely based off the current GT2 spec.
griphy 10:27AM (4/15/2009)
The corvette team are changing for the GT2 class this year after Lemans.
tenfifteen 10:47AM (4/15/2009)
I know they're trying to align ACO/FIA rules, but assuming that happens and ALMS uses them, if the CI restrictions apply next year, the LS3 GT2 Corvette will still be at, not over, 5.5L. Wouldn't it therefore be able to choose which class to be homologated into (GT1 or GT2)? And doesn't their decision to run the 500hp/5.5L in a car we already know is slightly heavier portend their aim to run the 500hp/1250kg GT2 variant? Why all this work with the LS3, when to re-roll themselves into GT1, they could just stick with a destroked LS7 engine and stay in GT1?
From your link:
"The GT2 category will be reserved for cars with engines under 5.0L. The manufacturers or tuners will be able to choose between homologation at 500bhp/1250kg or 450bhp/1200kg.
For cars with engines between 5.0L and 5.5L, the manufacturers or tuners will be able to choose homologation in either GT1 or GT2."
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tenfifteen 10:48AM (4/15/2009)
Sorry should've been to forty above.
forty 11:02AM (4/15/2009)
Yes, both are technically possible. However, a car can only be homologated in one class - so its either GT1 or GT2 from 2010 on. Starting with a GT2 car now sets them up to run either class. Either variant is a possibility at this point, but the information I've seen points to the Corvette being entered in the new GT1 World Championship. That was the gist I got from the team at Sebring.
They could end up changing their minds and pursuing GT2 from 2010 since they'd have that option.