Callaway Cars Finalizing Production Plans and Options for the C8 Corvette

Callaway Cars gave us a quick update on the Callaway C8 progress this weekend with an email to their newsletter members. In the message, they tell us the “first phase Callaway C8 being finalized for production” and it may be just a few months that a new Callaway C8 Corvette will be announced.

Callaway says that “further aerodynamic and styling features will be announced in the upcoming months, while Callaway engineers are working on developing powertrain offerings as well,” and this little nugget may be the most interesting from the email as Callaway tells us “A line of track day-specific improvements will also be developed.”

So while we wait to see the latest powertrain offerings and track-day improvements, we are provided a preview of the Double D exhaust and Callaway/O.Z. wheels that are coming to the eight generation Corvette. The Double D exhaust has been tradition on Callaways and this will be the fifth generation of its signature exhaust system. Here is what Callaway has to say:

Double D exhaust with new lower fascia panel
Callaway designs a 5th generation of its signature “Double-D” exhaust system, featuring a new iteration of the Single-Acoustic Chamber (SAC) originally developed for the Callaway C12 and later C7 Corvettes. Creating a unique sound signature, multiple baffled chambers inside a single canister are tuned to offer improved flow characteristics and frequency cancellation to eliminate in-cabin resonances, while offering a refined exhaust note. The center-exit Tips offer a balanced, unique appearance, and a new carbon fiber surrounding panel will allow for cooling airflow around the muffler, which is inherently thermally-challenged in a mid-engine configuration. Prototype testing and development in progress… stay “tuned”.

Callaway/O.Z. Racing Forged 9-spoke wheels
Finally, a fully-forged wheel produced in collaboration with O.Z. Racing, one of the world’s leading wheel manufacturers, supplying Formula 1, World Rally, and all levels of sportscar racing worldwide. Callaway and O.Z. have been working together on road car and motorsport applications for 30 years, including the championship-winning Callaway C7 GT3-R.

This year, we bring a fully-forged wheel in a revised 9-spoke design to complement the C8’s new styling.

The wheels are currently undergoing FEM and weight optimization with testing to exceed TüV and JWL standards commencing shortly. We expect the wheels to provide considerable weight savings over the OE offerings, which will yield dynamic handling benefits due to unsprung and rotating mass reduction. While they will be slightly wider than OE, will still utilize the phenomenal Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (ZP) OE fitments and compounds developed for the C8. Offset will be slightly reduced for a flush appearance and increased track width.

The forged/HLT® construction offers greater strength and stiffness at significantly less weight. Offering peace of mind against typical cast-wheel construction being prone to damage over poor road surfaces.

A variety of finishes will be offered, including a brilliant ‘ceramic polished’ finish with a clear protective coating which does not detract from the brilliance of the polished alloy.

Visit www.callawaycars.com for the latest offerings from Reeves and Pete Callaway and make sure you stay up today by joining their newsletter.

Source:
Callaway Cars

Related:
No Reason to Wait for a Corvette SUV When the Callaway Tahoe Offers Unexpected Performance
[POLL] Who is Your Favorite Corvette Tuner?
Corvettes for Sale: 2010 Callaway SC606 Grand Sport Development Car with 275K Miles