Callaway C16 Corvette
In 2006, Callaway introduced the Callaway C16, a fully custom variant based on the C6 Corvette.
The C16 was marketed as an alternative to the Porsche 911 GT3, the Lamborgini Murcielago, the Ferrari F430 and the 599 GTB, and was offered in three different body styles – the Cabrio, Coupe and Speedster. All of these cars were sold by Callaway directly, and included a five year/50,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Similar to the C12 before it, the only remnants of the original C6 that made it into the production C16 model were the roof panel, the rear hatch and the rearview mirrors. The car was produced from 2008 to 2012 and was most recognized for its substantial power outputs – 650 standard horsepower for the Coupe and Cabrio models, and 700 horsepower for the Speedster.
The Callaway C16 was Callaway’s 16th major automotive project. It was a limited production, bespoke automobile, built to order, by what the Press called “the best specialist engineers in the business”. These cars are seriously fast, beautiful, and exclusive. There were three versions of the C16 Callaway, a coupe, convertible and speedster. The coupe came first, with the convertible being announced a year later along with the speedster.
The Basics
Performance
- Engine Displacement – 6.2L/376 cu. in.
- Maximum Power – 650 hp @ 6600 rpm (SAE)
- Maximum Torque – 600 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm (SAE)
- 0 to 60 mph – 3.3 seconds
- 1/4 Mile ET/Speed – 11.0 seconds @ 128 mph
Standard Equipment
- Callaway C16 Body Package, in your choice of colors
- Callaway Deutschleder Interior, leather and Alcantara, in your choice of colors
- Supercharged, 650 bhp Callaway-prepared LS3 Engine
- Manual 6 Speed Gearbox
- Callaway Coil-Over Suspension System
- Le Mans GT Brake System
- Callaway ShortThrow Shifter (w/manual trans.)
- Callaway/O.Z. wheels, 19 x 10 front, 20 x 12 rear
- Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires
Optional Equipment
- Automatic 6 Speed Paddle-Shift Operated Gearbox (modified for increased torque capability)
- Callaway Sport Seats (snug, but great, seats for optimum car control)
- Callaway Carbon Ceramic Brakes (save another 10 lbs per corner of unsprung weight)
2006 Callaway C16 Corvette
OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT (November 30, 2006)
Callaway Cars today unveiled its Callaway C16 – the 16th in an impressive lineup of exclusive, built-to-order Callaway automobiles. Based on the current Chevrolet Corvette platform, the C16 takes performance and style to the next level, with 616 supercharged bhp and 582 lb-ft of torque. The new sports car incorporates Callaway’s race-proven technologies, superlative craftsmanship and arresting style.
The C16 was drawn and modeled by designer Paul Deutschman, who has a twenty-year portfolio of Callaway designs. ”He is 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,” says Callaway. The car’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.
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.
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.
All Callaway C16 components are available individually, for both new and currently owned Corvettes, through Callaway authorized retailers and installers. Pricing for a well equipped C16 coupe is $119,865 USD.
2007 Callaway C16 Corvette Convertible
OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT (March 16, 2007)
Callaway Cars today announced it will unveil the C16 Convertible the company’s latest variant in an impressive lineup of exclusive, hand-built ultra-high-performance automobiles at the New York International Auto Show.
Based on the current Chevrolet Corvette platform, the C16 convertible takes performance, style and open-air motoring to the next level, giving buyers an opportunity to experience premium supercar performance in a convertible, complete with the ease of a 6-speed, paddle-shift automatic transmission.
“Customers who want the exhilaration of a convertible and the daily driver convenience of a paddle-shift automatic without sacrificing the performance capabilities of a Z06 and beyond, can only get it here,” says company founder Reeves Callaway. “With this car we have maintained the C16’s class-leading performance, while creating a gorgeous convertible version, based on one of the best sports car platforms ever made. In true Callaway tradition it incorporates our race-proven technologies and superlative craftsmanship in an arresting and appealing style.”
The C16 Convertible, like the C16 Coupe, was drawn and modeled by designer Paul Deutschman, who has a twenty-year portfolio of Callaway designs. Architect of the Callaway look from its 254 mph Sledgehammer and Corvette-based Le Mans race cars to the current C16 versions he has masterfully remodeled the original design, redrawing every panel of the standard body to achieve the C16 Convertible’s integrated look while retaining the Corvette’s easy-to-operate power top.
Equipped with Callaway’s 560-hp supercharged 6.0-liter V8, the C16 Convertible is also available with an optional Performance Package that delivers 616 supercharged horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 582 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. The Callaway C16 Convertible does 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds, and a quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds. Top speed of the paddle shifted convertible is estimated at just over 200 mph. Equally impressive is its fuel efficiency rating of 18 city/28 highway. It is emissions compliant and backed by a 5 year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
There are three transmission options on the Callaway C16 Convertible: 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 Convertible, like C16 Coupe, 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, now available with the added pleasure of top-down motoring.
Inside, the C16 convertible’s cockpit is completely retooled in fine German leather and Alcantara, featuring seats with a choice of harnessing styles manufactured for Callaway by Recaro. Door sill panels, steering wheel and passenger dash area also carry signature Callaway badging. Each automobile is serialized and identified by its build plaque. Each C16 convertible is built to order. Clients choose body and top color and interior appointments to individual taste.
The car’s razor-sharp handling and comfortable ride are courtesy of 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 customize settings for track or road conditions.
To bring the Callaway C16 Convertible from 200+ mph to rest, the C16 utilizes a Stoptech brake system developed exclusively for Callaway using 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers gripping 355mm diameter rotors. Super-lightweight Callaway Dymag wheels – the lightest road wheel in the industry – measure 19″ x 10″ front and 20 x 12 rear. The Dymag wheel features forged magnesium centers surrounded by carbon fiber rims – another example of Callaway bringing their race experience to their road cars. Yokohama “AdvanSport” 285/30ZR19 (front) and 325/25ZR20 (rear) tires complete the package.
Pricing for a fully loaded C16 Convertible is $128 765 USD. All Callaway C16 Convertible components are available individually, for both new and currently owned Corvettes, through Callaway authorized retailers and installers.
2007 Callaway C16 Corvette Speedster
OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT (July 23, 2007)
Callaway Cars today announced it will unveil the C16 Speedster, the third and flagship model in the C16 lineup, on the concept lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, August 19, 2007.
The made-to-order C16 Speedster represents a pinnacle in American supercar design. The supercharged and intercooled 700 horsepower Callaway exotic produces class leading power, a topless cockpit with twin wind deflectors and extended headrests, exquisite bodywork and race-inspired chassis tuning. Much like its spiritual predecessors, the 1990 Callaway Speedster and 1998 C12 Speedster, the latest C16 Speedster offers a visceral open air driving experience unlike any other.
”This is Callaway Cars’ most exquisite vehicle to date,” said company founder Reeves Callaway. ”The C16 Speedster marks our 20th anniversary with Corvette and 30th year in business, 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.”
The C16 Speedster was penned and modeled by Paul Deutschman, architect of the Callaway look and designer of the original 1990 Callaway Speedster. Every body panel has been redesigned to speak to style and aerodynamics, and a hand-tooled German leather interior adds exclusivity. Door sills, the steering wheel and dash area all carry signature Callaway badging. Each Speedster is tailored to the buyer’s specifications, including interior and exterior colors and a personalized build plate.
Underneath the car’s stunning bodywork lies the heart of a racecar. The Callaway supercharged, intercooled, 6.2L all-alloy hand-built powerplant produces 700hp and 660lb-ft of torque, propelling the Speedster from 0 to 60 in an estimated 3.2 seconds. Maximum velocity of the C16 Speedster is over 210 mph.
Overall handling and road feel is transmitted by a newly developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension system. This joint development effort produced an advanced spring/damper system, featuring 10-position compression and rebound adjustability, allowing the driver to customize settings for specific road conditions.
A unique element the Speedster shares with its C16 siblings
– Coupe and Cabrio – are Callaway/Dymag Carbon wheels that weigh approximately 40-percent less than the lightest aluminum wheels, significantly reducing unsprung weight for improved acceleration, cornering and braking. These TUV- and DOT-tested wheels feature forged magnesium spiders surrounded by carbon fiber rims and measure 19″ x 10″ front and 20” x 13” rear. Residing behind the wheels is a Callaway / StopTech brake system, which utilizes 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers gripping 355mm x 32 mm rotors.
The Callaway C16 Speedster will be available for purchase in the Fall of 2007 and starts at $305,000 USD. Speedster No.1 of the series will be delivered to its new owner at Pebble Beach.
