OCTOBER 27, 2021

(Chevrolet images)
The original Corvette Z06 made its debut in 1963, as an optional Special Equipment Package intended for racers. It included a stiffer suspension, heavy-duty brakes, a thicker front stabilizer bar, and a large, 36-gallon fuel tank that reduced the number of necessary pit stops in longer races. A fuel-injected 5.4-liter engine (327 cubic inches) and a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission were required with the package. And now? The next chapter in the mid-engine Corvette story begins with the introduction of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Arriving two years after the first production mid-engine Corvette Stingray made its debut, the Z06 is designed and engineered to act as a precision tool for the track, "a new American supercar that puts the world on notice," according to Chevrolet PR minions. While the Z06 was created to dominate on the track when it debuted in 1963, the Z06 nameplate has also come to symbolize "the perfect combination of track beast and supercar," Chevy's PR minions continued. “The new Corvette Z06 defines the American supercar,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss. “It builds on the distinctive design and groundbreaking dynamics introduced with the mid-engine Corvette and elevates them to deliver refined but uncompromising track capability with world-class performance.” The Z06 is set apart by its all-new 5.5L LT6, the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V-8 to hit the market in any production car, ever.

An all-new flat-plane crankshaft design allows drivers to push the tachometer to a lofty 8,600 rpm, creating 670HP. Engineers spent two years crafting a distinctive, rich exhaust tone unlike anything ever heard from a Corvette. The sound and appearance of the Z06 take direction from Corvette Racing. The direct knowledge transfer from the track to the street has never been more evident. The C8.R has been referred to internally as the Z06 hiding in plain sight. “Racing was the reason the Z06 was developed in 1963, and it continues to support development of the road models that make them better on the street and the track,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette. “It also means we’ve tested the Z06 on the best tracks around the world, from Circuit of the Americas here in the United States, to the Nürburgring in Germany.” Additional highlights of the 2023 Corvette Z06 include:

• A stance 3.6 inches (9.4 cm) wider than the Stingray, accommodating massive 345-series rear tires and more airflow through side air vents
• Unique front and rear fascias, a first for Z06. The front fascia is designed to optimize the Z06’s cooling needs, including channeling air to a center heat exchanger, which is one of five for maximum cooling performance
• A unique, standard reconfigurable rear spoiler with adjustable wickerbill elements designed to improve high-speed stability and cornering capability on a racetrack
• Standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminum “spider” wheels (with five available finishes) — the largest wheels ever available on a production Corvette
• Available lightweight and rigid carbon fiber wheels that deliver a 41-pound (18.6-kg) reduction in unsprung mass, which contributes to more agile and responsive handling
• Specific suspension tuning, including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and larger brakes (six-piston front) than the Stingray, contribute to making the 2023 Corvette Z06 the most track-capable Corvette ever
• Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a specific, “shorter” 5.56 final drive ratio compared to the Corvette Stingray, which enhances acceleration capability
• Elevated cockpit surrounding the driver, with rich materials and textures, including more carbon fiber trim and new options
• Available Z07 performance package that offers the greatest track capability and provides 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, more than any Corvette ever. It includes a carbon fiber high rear wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration and unique Michelin® Cup 2 R ZP tires, along with Brembo® carbon ceramic brakes and optional carbon fiber wheels

“Virtually every component that distinguishes the Z06 was developed to support or enhance its capability,” said Juechter. “By leveraging the mid-engine architecture’s inherent advantages, we are able to achieve six percent more downforce than a seventh-gen ZR1 at eight percent lower drag.” More than horsepower, the new LT6 is designed to complement all aspects of the Z06’s track-focused performance experience. From its 8,600-rpm redline and full racing-style dry-sump oiling system to meticulously tuned induction and exhaust systems, this engine exudes an entirely new and emotional character. The key to the LT6’s performance capability is a lightweight, low-inertia rotating assembly rooted in an all-new flat-plane crankshaft that, along with a comparatively short stroke, allows the engine to rev to its maximum range. A version of the LT6 has powered the C8.R race cars since 2019, and the rigors of endurance road racing helped engineers refine the engine’s performance and durability. Additional LT6 highlights include:

• All-new aluminum cylinder block casting with the Small Block engine family’s signature 4.4-inch (111.76 mm) bore spacing
• All-new dual-overhead-camshaft cylinder head design with fully CNC-machined combustion chambers and intake ports, supporting a mechanical “finger follower” valvetrain
• Dual-coil valve springs to support titanium intake and sodium filled exhaust valves
• Forged aluminum pistons and forged titanium connecting rods for low mass and high strength 
• Distinctive Edge Red camshaft covers
• All-new active split intake manifold with twin 87 mm throttle bodies
• All-new six-stage dry-sump oiling system with individual crank bay scavenging
• Four-into-two-into-one stainless steel exhaust headers
• 670 hp at 8,400 rpm (GM tested per SAE J1349)
• 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque @ 6300 rpm (GM tested per SAE J1349)

The LT6 is hand assembled by master engine builders at the Performance Build Center within the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Builders use precision tooling and hand fit pieces of the engine to meet Chevrolet’s exact specifications. Each engine features a plaque on the intake manifold with the signature of the technician who crafted it from start to finish. 
Almost every exterior detail unique to the Z06 serves a purpose for aerodynamics, handling or cooling, with styling cues that accentuate the car’s sense of motion. The wider fenders accommodate larger, wider wheels and tires for more grip. Larger vents — including a new front fascia that, like the C8.R race car, draws clean air into a center heat exchanger — provide more cooling air to the engine, brakes and transaxle for increased track capability. Additionally, a more aggressive aerodynamic package is designed to enhance cornering grip and high-speed stability. The wider wheels and tires include 20 x 10-inch (50.8 x 25.4 cm) front wheels wrapped with 275/30ZR20 tires and 21 x 13-inch (53.3 x 33 cm) rear wheels, used with 345/25ZR21 tires. Michelin® Pilot Sport 4S ZP tires are standard, with Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires included with the available Z07 package. Designers pulled out the fenders in the front and rear to cover the wider tire tread, which are 30 mm front and 40 mm rear wider than the Corvette Stingray. These extensions give the Corvette Z06 a wider, lower appearance further emphasized by a unique rear fascia that also features centered floating exhaust bezels. This floating design was key to the precise tuning in the exhaust note. The wider rear fender also allows for the larger air intakes required for the car’s cooling. Additionally, the new Z06 will offer three increasing levels of aerodynamic support:

• The standard Z06 features a front splitter and a unique rear spoiler, which includes an installable fixed wickerbill – a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce, providing 365 pounds (165.6 kg) more at 186 mph (299.3 km/h).
• The available carbon fiber aero package adds a larger front splitter, front-corner canards (dive planes), a pedestal-mounted rear wing and underbody aero strakes for the maximum track-capable downforce and maneuverability.

The new Z06 retains the SLA-type front and rear suspension design of the Corvette Stingray, but uniquely calibrated for its higher performance capabilities. Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0 is standard and can be adjusted for touring comfort or maximum track performance via the standard Driver Mode Selector. Like the Stingray, the Driver Mode Selector tailors more than a dozen features of the Z06 to suit the driver’s environment, including:

• Launch control: Available in Track mode for maximum off-the-line acceleration
• Active handling (StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control): Z06 has performance traction management standard
• Traction control: Weather mode tailors traction control and engine torque for driving in inclement conditions
• Performance Traction Management: Available in Track mode and offers five settings of torque reduction and brake intervention for track driving
• Electronic Limited Slip Differential: Adjusts the rate at which the limited slip engages to balance between steering response and stability in different driving conditions

The Z06’s greater track performance capability is also matched with greater braking capability, with larger 14.6-inch-diameter (370 mm) front and 15-inch-diameter (380 mm) rear Brembo® rotors, compared with the Stingray. Z06 has six-piston front calipers compared to four-piston calipers on Stingray. Even larger, carbon ceramic rotors are available and also included with the Z07 package, which takes the Corvette Z06’s performance to its zenith. 

Z07 Performance Package additional features include:

• Carbon fiber aero package with larger front splitter, front-corner dive planes, a rear wing and underbody strakes that enhance downforce
• Unique FE7 suspension with specific Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 calibrations
• Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires developed specifically for the Z06
• Available carbon fiber wheels that deliver a 41-pound (18.6 kg) reduction in unsprung mass
• Brembo® carbon ceramic brake system featuring larger, 15.7-inch-diameter (398 mm) front rotors and 15.4-inch-diameter (391 mm) rear rotors

When equipped with the Z07 performance package in the track prepared configuration on a 300-foot diameter circle, the car is capable of 1.22 g of road-hugging grip. The Z06 is based on the same robust architecture as the Stingray — a rigid structure that enabled engineers to fine-tune the car’s chassis and suspension components with exceptional precision. The Z06 is so stiff that the track-capable Z06 is offered in a hardtop convertible model, and there is no variance in the suspension calibrations between it and the coupe. In the driver-focused cockpit, unique features include an available carbon fiber-wrapped steering wheel, shift paddles and new carbon fiber interior trim package level 2. The Z06 also features hand-wrapped leather interior options, including the all-new, available fully trimmed interior in Adrenaline Red. Additional new wheel, color and trim options offer Z06 customers the most personalization choices in the Corvette lineup, including:

• Twelve available exterior colors
• Seven available wheel packages, including five finishes on the standard forged aluminum wheels and available carbon fiber wheels
• Seven interior colors with the opportunity to expand it to thousands of combinations
• Three seat choices and six seatbelt options
• Two interior carbon fiber trim packages, plus Stealth Aluminum trim option
• Six available brake caliper colors

Production of the  2023 Corvette Z06 begins in summer 2022. It will be built at Bowling Green Assembly in left- and right-hand drive. Watch the intro video here.

(Range Rover images)
The New 2022 Range Rover "leads by example with breath-taking modernity, peerless refinement and renowned Land Rover capability informed by over 50 years of evolution," according to the boffins in Range Rover PR. They go on: "The new 2022 Range Rover is defined by presence and formality, achieved by the harmony of proportions, surface and lines." Well, alrighty then! But the big news with this fifth-generation Range Rover? It will not have permanent four-wheel-drive. Instead, the new system switches to rear-wheel-drive only at highway speeds in order to save fuel. Standard All-Wheel Steering is also new, combining high-speed stability with exceptional maneuverability at low speeds – and the smallest turning circle of any Land Rover SUV. What else? Integrated Chassis Control with Dynamic Response Pro utilizes Electronic Air Suspension that primes the vehicle for corners using eHorizon data to read the road ahead and provide appropriate responses. New MLA-Flex body architecture provides Standard and Long Wheelbase body styles with four, five or seven-seat interiors. (That's a big deal in the Range Rover universe, folks, and it was a contentious point internally to get it done.) A new 523HP Twin Turbo V8 is available with Dynamic Launch enabling 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds. A battery-electric Range Rover is promised for 2024 (we'll see about that). In the meantime, a new 434HP plug-in hybrid is slated to arrive in the 2023 model year delivering an electric range of up to 62 miles. Still more? Built-in Amazon Alexa and SiriusXM with 360L. As is the trend with luxury automakers, alternatives to traditional leather for the new Range Rover include a new premium textile that combines Ultrafabrics™ and Kvadrat™ wool-blend. And next-generation noise-cancelling is offered with the headrest speakers. The New Range Rover is available to order now. How much? Bring boatloads of ca$h-ola. Prices in the U.S. start at $104,000 for the Mild Hybrid 3.0L Turbocharged I6 (395HP/406 lb-ft) Range Rover P400SE, and go all the way up to $163,500 for the 4.4L Twin Turbocharged V8 (523HP/553 lb-ft) Range Rover P530 First Edition (LWB). Deliveries begin next Spring.

(GMC images)
All-new technologies — including trailering-capable Super Cruise — along with new levels of premium craftsmanship and capability, make the new 2022 GMC Sierra "the most advanced and luxurious Sierra ever," according to GMC PR minions. The lineup is led by the new Sierra Denali Ultimate (above, right), the most advanced and luxuriously appointed Denali model ever "and the most advanced and luxurious pickup in its class," according to those aforementioned PR minions. Sierra Denali Ultimate trim offers exclusive design and premium materials, along with technologies including trailering-capable Super Cruise driver-assistance technology and a standard 420HP, 6.2L V-8 engine. Accompanying the Denali Ultimate is the first-ever Sierra AT4X (above, left) — which is "the new peak of premium off-road performance with serious capability and uncompromising refinements." We told you the truck manufacturers were going all-in on the off-road performance thing, and this AT4X is the latest evidence of that. The all-new AT4X trim offers an exclusive premium interior and advanced off-road capability, with features such as Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, front and rear e-lockers and Terrain Mode with one-pedal crawling; 6.2L V-8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission, standard; Unique springs increase maximum front and rear suspension travel by 50 mm and 25 mm, respectively, compared with the standard AT4 suspension; Two-speed transfer case, with selectable modes for different off-road conditions; Specific off-road chassis and suspension calibrations; Unique, larger steel transfer case shield; 18-inch black wheels with LT265/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires and an available rocker guard accessory. GMC is on a roll, and 2022 seems to be shaping up to be even more cowbell for GM's alternative truck brand.
The 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X.
The 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate.
The 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate interior.
The 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate. 

(Super73 Images)
Now, for something different: “SUPER73 is proud to partner with Roland Sands Designs to take a fresh look at what two-wheel electric mobility should look like. With a focus on moto-style, ergonomics, and the attention to design that has made RSD so iconic in the motorcycle industry, the Malibu is a perfect fit for any rider's lineup,” said Michael Cannavo, Co-Founder and CMO of SUPER73. The result? The SUPER73-RX MALIBU. The Malibu upgrades are intended to enhance the already highly capable SUPER73-RX, which features an aircraft-grade 6065/7071 aluminum-alloy frame and a powerful internally geared, brushless DC hub motor capable of up to 2000 watts of peak power. It’s driven by a state-of-the-art 960 watt-hour battery, which is the largest in its segment. The removable battery can be charged from any standard 110v outlet, resulting in an estimated range of more than 40 miles at 20mph under throttle-only operation, and in excess of 75 miles using ECO pedal assist mode. (Remember: Battery range estimates depend on conditions such as rider weight, speed, temperature, wind, tire pressure, terrain, incline, etc.) The SUPER73-RX features the company’s smart technology, which pairs with IOS or Android devices via the SUPER73 app. It allows over-the-air software updates to ensure efficient charging and power usage. The app also gives access to multi-class riding modes, including Class 2 throttle and pedal assist up to 20mph, pedal assist Class 1 up to 20mph, pedal assist Class 3 up to 28mph, and Unlimited throttle activation for speeds above 28mph. (Please consult local bylaws regarding permitted riding modes, or consult the Support page at super73.com.) Other standard features on the SUPER73-RX include adjustable suspension, powerful disc brakes, a 600 lumen LED headlight, and a 32” seat height to accommodate riders from 5’3” to 6’8”. The RSD x SUPER73-RX Malibu will retail at $4500 and is limited to 1000 models globally. Visit super73.com for more information or to place an order.

(Chevrolet)
From the "More Cowbell" File: Chevrolet Performance has introduced the ZZ632/1000 crate engine, "the largest and most powerful crate engine in the brand’s history," according to Chevrolet PR minions. The naturally aspirated 632-cubic-inch V-8 produces 1,004HP and 876 lb-ft of torque. “This is the biggest, baddest crate engine we’ve ever built,” said Russ O’Blenes, GM director of the Performance and Racing Propulsion Team. “The ZZ632 sits at the top of our unparalleled crate engine lineup as the king of performance. It delivers incredible power, and it does it on pump gas.” The Big Block V-8 reaches peak power at 6,600 rpm and revs to a recommended maximum of 7,000 rpm. Fuel is delivered by eight port injectors with the engine breathing through CNC-machined high-flow aluminum cylinder heads featuring symmetrical ports. While Big Blocks have traditionally been designed with variations in port shape from cylinder to cylinder, all eight intake ports of the ZZ632 have the same length, volume and layout. Similarly, all of the ZZ632’s exhaust ports are identical. This symmetry ensures individual cylinders all produce similar power. These RS-X Symmetrical Port cylinder heads are named for powertrain engineer Ron Sperry, who designed them as one of his final accomplishments in more than 50 years working on General Motors performance and racing engines. Sperry also introduced symmetrical ports to Chevy’s iconic Small Block V-8 with the Gen III LS1 engine that debuted in the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette. The ZZ632’s iron block shares a mold with Chevrolet Performance’s ZZ572 crate engines, but the castings are machined to accommodate the massive 632-cubic-inch displacement. The bore grows by 0.040 inch compared to the 572-cubic-inch V-8s, with most of the displacement gain coming from a stroke that’s 0.375 inch longer. To provide clearance for that long stroke, engineers modified both the block and the connecting rods. Four-bolt main caps and a forged rotating assembly ensure strength and durability. During development, a single engine endured more than 200 simulated drag strip passes on a dynamometer. The ZZ632/1000 crate engine will be on display at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 2–5. Chevrolet Performance dealers will begin deliveries in early 2022. 

The AE Song of the Week:

I'm up on the tightwire
one side's ice and one is fire
it's a circus game with you and me
I'm up on the tightrope
one side's hate and one is hope
but the tophat on my head is all you see
And the wire seems to be 
the only place for me
a comedy of errors
and I'm falling

Like a rubber-neck giraffe 
you look into my past
well maybe you're just to blind to - see
I'm up in the spotlight
ohh does it feel right
ohh the altitude 
seems to get to me

I'm up on the tightwire
flanked by life and the funeral pyre
putting on a show 
for you to see

Like a rubber-neck giraffe 
you look into my past 
well maybe you're just too blind to - see
I'm up in the spotlight 
ohh does it feel right
ohh the altitude
really gets to get to me

I'm up on the tightwire
flanked by life and the funeral pyre
putting on a show for you to see

"Tightrope" by Leon Russell, from the album "Carney" (1972)*. Written by Leon Russell. Watch the Original Music Video here. Also, watch this fantastic video from Leon's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame introduction - with Elton John - here. 

*"Tight Rope" was the debut 1972 hit single for singer-songwriter Leon Russell and the lead track on his LP, Carney. The song reached number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Cash Box Top 100. In Canada, it reached number five. This song is a circus metaphor about clinging to life while being on a high wire. In the instrumental section, this song quotes a couple of times, a slow version of the "Entrance of the Gladiators" March, played in a mysterious descending scale, before Russell finishes the last half of the bridge section. The B-side of 45 RPM for "Tight Rope" was "This Masquerade", also penned by Russell, which became a Top 10 hit for George Benson in 1976. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Leon Russell is one of my all-time favorites. As I've mentioned before, I had the privilege of seeing the debut performance of "Mad Dogs and Englishman" featuring Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge (her very first live performance) and Leon RUssell as the musical conductor and, of course, on piano, at the Eastown Theater in Detroit in 1970. Other rock luminaries were present as well: Chris Stainton; Bobby Keys, Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner and many others. It was a phenomenal performance and one of my most memorable concert experiences. Joe was full-on great, Rita was nervous but excellent, but the star for me was Leon, who did a solo set in the middle of the show that was just sensational in every sense of the word. -PMD P.S. If you're interested you can watch a clip from the concert film here. And check out this review: 'Learning to Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen, A Luscious Rock Nostalgia Trip' here.