German Corvette Ups the Ante

Motoring Channel Staff - 30/Jan/2006

Chevrolet's new C6 is easily the quickest 'Vette the company has ever built, sporting a powerful 6.0-litre, 2-valve V8, and if customers want more shunt the factory-tuned Z06 model features a 7.0-litre V8, beefed up brakes and modified suspension.

Some drivers will inevitably want more; quicker 0-100km/h sprints, more noise and an exterior finish that is far from 'stock-standard'. This is where GeigerCars comes into the picture, having just released information on their latest project, a Stage 1 performance tuning kit.

GeigerCars is a German-based tuning group which specialises in modifying American cars. These range from the vehicle in question - Chevy Corvettes - to Hummers, Buicks, Cadillacs, Dodge, Fords, Chryslers, Pontiacs and more. Simply put, GeigerCars caters for the European-based American car lover.

For €93,000, which is about $A150,000, you can get GeigerCars to build you a very special Z06 Corvette, which gets a range of upgrades, including a number of tweaks to the car's already beefed-up 427ci (7011cc) V8 motor.

As GeigerCars points out, in order to achieve a power increase from standard 377kW (512hp) to 389kW (542hp) it has developed a Stage 1 performance kit.

The tune-up contains a free-flow intake system with a sports air filter, special exhaust manifolds, steel bed catalysts, four large chrome exhaust tips and modified mapping for the ECU (engine control unit).

GeigerCars explains that the engine tuning makes the Corvette Z06 even more agile, with quicker revving up and higher road performances: The sprint time from 0–100km/h is reduced to 3.7 seconds from 3.8, and maximum speed is increased from 318km/h to something more like 327km/h.

On top of the engine tuning, GeigerCars also offers custom body kit components for the fastest production Corvette ever built. The German company has developed a front spoiler lip to fit on the standard front apron, which in addition to giving it a more aggressive image, it also ensures that lift on the front axle is further reduced. Its aerodynamic counterpiece is a diffuser to fit on the rear apron.

To be able to always safely control the high-velocity road performances of the tuned Z06, GeigerCars offers high performance brake and suspension system tuning for the new super sports car. The German group has designed a custom spring strut sport suspension for use on the Corvette, which replaces the standard transverse springs to achieve even more dynamic handling.

To perfectly fill the existing space inside the wider Z06 wheel houses, the GeigerCars technicians developed an equally spectacular, not mention exclusive, wheel/tyre combination. The multi-piece chrome wheels were designed in the dimensions 10.5J x 19-inch front with 285/30 ZR19 tyres and 13J x 20-inch rear with 345/25 ZR20 tyres. On their own, the 19/20-inch wheel and tyre combo can be had for €9,450, which is about 15,200 local bones.

To match the upgraded Z06's exterior, GeigerCars explains that it can also tailor the interior for a fully-realised custom car, from carbon panels in the cockpit up to handcrafted leather trim in every imaginable color and design.