Callaway C16 Speedster: Naked Ambition

Motoring Channel Staff - 24/July/2007

Connecticut, USA — Here's something you don't see every day - a speedster. Not unlike Audi's roofless concept car and with a passing resemblance to Speed Racer Mach 5, the TT Clubsport, this Callaway's new 'Americana' speedster has no roof, barely any windscreen, and a divergent design that's both attractive and somewhat repulsive.

With a top speed of 338km/h (210mph), the C16 Speedster's tiny 'bubble' wind deflectors look as though they would be fairly useless at such speeds. But they look good and ultimately that is the point with cars such as this one; creating the right image, and making sure the driver and passenger benefit aptly from the car's hard-to-avoid looks.

Powered by a hand-built supercharged LS2 6.2-litre V8 engine, the Callaway C16 Speedster is unabashedly powerful, but the design is less 'muscle car' than many of Callaway's creations, and lends the car a certain level of pomp.

The third model in the C16 line-up, and also said to be the flagship model, will make it's public debut on the concept lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, on August 19, 2007.

An exclusive made-to-order model, the C16 is at first glance a very strange design. It's oddly eye-catching, and is the work of Paul Deutschman, who is sometimes credited as the architect of the 'Callaway look'. He also penned the original 1990 Callaway Speedster. 

According to the America performance car group, every panel of the vehicle was redesigned (compared to the Callaway C16 Cabrio) "...to speak to style and aerodynamics". Door sills, the steering wheel and dash area all carry signature Callaway badging, but the company is quick to point out that each Speedster is tailored to the buyer's specifications, including interior and exterior colors and a personalized build plate.

The car currently has a price tag of US$305,000.

Company founder Reeves Callaway said the new Speedster marks a number of milestones, and also praised it's design: "This is Callaway Cars' most exquisite vehicle to date."

"The C16 Speedster marks our 20th anniversary with Corvette and 30th year in business," continued Mr Callaway, "and having this statement of our passion for the automobile featured on the concept lawn at Pebble Beach is a high water mark for us."

As well as being an attention-grabbing design, the vehicle has been tuned to deliver high levels of performance, both in terms of raw engine power, and also chassis setup. 

Firstly, the Callaway C16 Speedster is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 522kW (700hp) 6.2-litre V8 engine, which will always make it's presence felt due to the car's roofless design. Racing helmets and earplugs are likely to be a necessity, rather than a nicety. According to Callaway, the new C16 Speedster will provide a 'visceral' open air driving experience unlike any other, and of that we don't doubt.

Building on the strengths of its spiritual predecessors (the 1990 Callaway Speedster and 1998 C12 Speedster), the latest C16 Speedster can charge from zero to 96km/h in just 3.2 seconds. This is made possible due to the vehicles boosted V8 powerplant, producing 522kW (700hp) and a staggering 894Nm of torque. As mentioned, the car can reach speeds of around 340km/h.

Secondly, the chassis has been modified to provide race-track precise handling, and consists of a newly developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension system. Callaways says the joint development effort produced an advanced spring/damper system, featuring 10-position compression and rebound adjustability, which then allows drivers to customise the settings for specific road conditions, whether that be a track day thrash, or a relaxed drive to the coast.

Decelerating the C16 Speedster from its 300km/h+ speeds are brakes developed by both Callaway and StopTech. The brake discs are sized 355mm x 32mm, and are equipped with 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers.

One of the few features the Speedster shares with its C16 siblings, the Coupe and Cabrio, are the wheels. The Callaway/Dymag carbon wheels are super-light, weighing about 40% less than the lightest cast aluminium wheels. As such, the lighter wheels reduce unsprung weight which results in improved acceleration, cornering and braking. They're not small either. The wheels measure 19-inches x 10-inches at the front axle and 20-inches x 13-inches at the rear. 

The very first C16 Speedster of the series will be delivered to its new owner at Pebble Beach. For those who are interested, the attention-grabbing Callaway C16 Speedster will be available for purchase in the Fall of 2007 and starts at US$305,000 (A$345,000).

Related articles:
- Callaway C16 (2006)
- Callaway C16 Cabrio (2007)