When the DT Cars team drove the Corvette Z06 as part of our inaugural Car of the Year Awards in April, the vehicle’s performance capabilities were never in question. Simply put, it’s one of the best-handling cars any of us had ever driven, and with 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque on tap, it’s not exactly a dud in a straight line.
That being said, there’s always room for improvement, and American tuner Callaway is here to help. And when we say help, we mean scare the bejeezus out of you and any lucky soul that happens to occupy the passenger seat.
Callaway’s latest iteration of the iconic ‘Vette is the brand’s most powerful ever, as it equips a GenThree Supercharger that’s 32-percent larger than the stock unit. The result is a ridiculous 757 hp and 777 lb-ft coming from the 6.2-liter V8, which is enough to push the car to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and past the quarter-mile marker in 10.5. That shaves a few blinks off the standard Z06’s numbers, and will finally take the stress out of freeway overtakes. 0 to 60 mph in 2.95 seconds? Come on Chevy, we’ve got appointments to keep.
The new model, dubbed SC757 by Callaway, boasts a myriad of aesthetic enhancements as well, including a unique supercharger hood surround, carbon fiber engine covers, anodized aluminum door sills, and new badging all around. A short throw shifter and Callaway’s “Double-D” sports exhaust can be tacked on as options.
777 lb-ft will put a lot of stress on the Corvette’s transmissions (you can choose between a seven-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic) but Callaway offers a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty to ease your mind. A 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain service contract is available as an upgrade.
The cost for all this performance is a cool $16,995, on top of the $79,000 base price of the factory Z06.