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Callaway Cars launched the C16 on the expectant world at the New York International Auto Show in March this year and added to its range of hand-built, beautifully crafted and very exclusive automobiles.
We shouldn't forget that this a very high performance supercar with serious style, truly a combination of beauty and the beast.
The C16 is based on the existing Corvette chassis and has 6 speed, paddle shift transmission adding to the thrill of a convertible and with race car technology underpinning the driving experience. Paul Deutschman is the architect of the C16 Convertible and redesigned every body panel of the C16 Coupe version to implement the Corvette fold away power top without sacrificing the smooth lines and grace of the Coupe version.
For the technically minded, under the hood is the Callaway 560 bhp supercharged 6 liter V8, however if that is not enough for you there is also the Performance Package as an optional extra, delivering a massive 616 bhp ! What this means to the no so technically minded is that this will move from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds and will run a quarter mile in 11.2 seconds – plenty of time for you to put your hair back in place if you have the top down.
The published top speed with the paddle shift system is just over 200 mph, but the actual top end remains to be established but when you look at the gas consumption this really is an efficient engine with 28 mpg on the highway. You get the choice of three transmission options, 2 manual and the 6-shift automatic with the paddle-shift.
When you are moving at speed, the handling is sharp as a surgeons knife using the Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension with an advanced damper system. The damper system features 10-click position with rebound adjustability which together with the remote mounted reservoirs allows the driver to adjust the suspension for all driving conditions whether on the road or on the track.
While getting to 200 mph may be what you're looking for, at some point you're going to have stop and the C16 is equipped with the Stoptech braking system exclusive to Callaway and incorporating 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers braking against 355mm diameter rotors.
The road contact is from forged magnesium centered Callaway Dymag wheels, the lightest road wheel available and a good example of Callaways race pedigree being incorporated in their road cars.
Moving to the interior, there are a choice of seat harnesses for Callaway made by Recaro to complement the German leather.
Each C16 Convertible is manufactured to each individual customer order specifications and to set the seal on its' individuality, each car is stamped with a unique serialized builders plaque.