December 4, 2006 Callaway Cars has released details of its Callaway C16 – the 16th in the lineup of exclusive, built-to-order Callaway automobiles. Based on the current Chevrolet Corvette platform, the C16 produces 616 supercharged bhp and 582 lb-ft of torque. The C16 was drawn and modelled by designer Paul Deutschman, the architect of the Callaway look—from the 254 mph Sledgehammer and our C4-based Le Mans race cars to the C7, the C12 and now the C16, Deutschman’s handcrafted bodywork replaces every panel of the standard body to achieve its integrated look. The C16 also attains a new level of manufacturing efficiency. “In making this car we went from CAD design straight to tooling, bypassing a full-sized model—a first for us,” says company founder Reeves Callaway. “It’s tools like PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER software, our technology partner, that make such efficient car design possible.”
“The C16 says exactly what we want to say about the capabilities at Callaway Cars: It’s gorgeous, it has class-leading performance—and it’s a true daily driver based on one of the best sports car platforms ever made,” says Callaway.
The Callaway supercharged 6.0-liter LS2 V8 produces an impressive 616 bhp at 6,200 rpm and develops 582 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. The Callaway C16 does 0 to 60 in 3.3-seconds, and a quarter mile in 10.9 seconds. Top speed of the manual transmission coupe is 206 mph. Equally impressive is its fuel efficiency rating of 18 city/28 highway. It is emission compliant worldwide.
Yokohama “AdvanSport” 295/30ZR19 (front) and 345/25ZR20 (rear) tires complete the package. “The secret to this level of road-holding starts with the tire,” says Callaway. “As a specialist manufacturer, we are honored to have Yokohama be our exclusive tire partner, which gives us access to technology that results in our extraordinary performance numbers.”
The car’s excellent handling and ride feel are courtesy of the newly developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension. This advanced spring/damper system features ride height, corner weight, and pitch angle adjustability. The aluminum-bodied dampers feature 10-click-position compression and rebound adjustability and have remote mounted reservoirs, allowing the driver to control a range of ride stiffness settings for track or road.
Inside, the C16 cockpit is completely retooled in German leather and Alcantara. Also fitted are Recaro Pole Position seats with a choice of harnessing styles. Door sill panels, steering wheel and passenger dash area also carry signature Callaway badging. Each automobile is serialized and identified by its build plaque. C16s are built to order. Clients choose body color and interior appointments to individual taste.
The C16’s Callaway exhaust system is manufactured from stainless steel and features Callaway’s signature Double-D exhaust tip design. As demonstrated by the car’s horsepower throughput, the exhaust system is the least restrictive and is generally known as the best-sounding solution for C5- and C6-generation Corvettes.
To bring the Callaway C16 from 200+ mph to rest, Callaway 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers grip 355mm diameter rotors. Super-lightweight Callaway Dymag wheels, the lightest road wheel in the industry, are fitted in sizes 19-inch x 10 front and 20-inch x 12 rear. The Dymag wheel features a remarkable hybrid of forged magnesium centers surrounded by carbon fiber rims - another example of Callaway bringing their race experience to their road cars. Dymag has been supplying advanced road wheels to Callaway since 1986.
There are three transmission options on the Callaway C16: two 6-speed manual transmissions (one incorporating the Z51 Performance Package’s shorter ratios in the first four gears), or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shift. The Callaway C16 delivers the feeling of a fully integrated driver’s car, maintaining the company’s legendary hallmark of easy-to-drive, super high-performance road cars.
Callaway C16 automobiles are built by Callaway facilities in California, Connecticut, and Germany. The Callaway C16 is available exclusively through Callaway Cars’ authorized dealer network in North America, Callaway Competition in Leingarten, Germany, and CorvetteTotal, Bonstetten, Switzerland.
Pricing for a well equipped C16 coupe is around US$119,865.
All Callaway C16 components are available individually, for both new and currently owned Corvettes, through Callaway authorized retailers and installers.