C6 (Street Car):
* Engine: Various LS-series V8 engines, ranging in power depending on the year and trim level. These are designed for reliability and drivability on public roads.
* Transmission: Manual or automatic transmissions available, designed for street use.
* Suspension: Street-tuned suspension for comfort and handling on various road surfaces.
* Body: Steel and aluminum body panels, designed for aerodynamic efficiency and safety in street driving.
* Interior: Features amenities like air conditioning, stereo, comfortable seats, etc., for everyday use.
* Aerodynamics: Designed for reasonable fuel economy and stability at highway speeds.
* Weight: Significantly heavier than the C6.R due to the inclusion of street-legal features.
C6.R (Race Car):
* Engine: A highly tuned LS7-based V8 engine, significantly more powerful than any street-legal C6 variant. Optimized for high RPM and extreme performance.
* Transmission: A racing-specific sequential manual gearbox for incredibly fast shifts.
* Suspension: Fully adjustable racing suspension with components designed for track performance. Much stiffer and less forgiving than the street car.
* Body: Lightweight carbon fiber body panels for reduced weight and enhanced aerodynamic performance. Extensive aerodynamic aids (wings, splitters, diffusers) are added.
* Interior: Stripped-down interior focused solely on racing necessities: racing seat, roll cage, data acquisition systems, etc. No creature comforts.
* Aerodynamics: Highly optimized aerodynamics for high downforce at high speeds. Significant wing and bodywork differences.
* Weight: Substantially lighter than the C6 due to extensive use of lightweight materials and removal of non-essential components.
In short, the C6.R is a highly modified and stripped-down version of the C6 designed purely for racing, while the C6 is a street-legal sports car. They share a familial resemblance in overall shape, but the C6.R is a completely different beast in terms of performance and capability. It's like comparing a production car to a purpose-built race car; the goals and resulting design are vastly different.
