First look: Callaway gets 'way cool'

WE SAW the sleek coupe and its even slinkier cabrio derivative: now US master-tuner Reeves Callaway has revealed the flagship of his ultra-exclusive Callaway C16 supercar range, the Speedster.

Designed by the architect of the original circa-1990 Callaway Speedster and the man behind the “Callaway look”, Paul Deutschman, the Speedster will make its official public debut at the famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 19.

Every one of the Speedster’s body panels is said to be redesigned in the interests of both style and aerodynamics, following in the footsteps of both the Callaway Speedster and the 1998 C12 Speedster.

As with its C16 stablemates, the Speedster is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 6.2-litre Chevrolet alloy V8 that is hand-built to produce a class-leading 520kW (700hp) and a staggering peak torque output of 895Nm.

Callaway Cars claims it’s enough to propel the lightweight Speedster to 60mph in an estimated 3.2 seconds (faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo), and on to a top speed in excess of 340km/h.

The US performance car-maker, which produced the 300kW 5.7-litre V8 for HSV’s previous-generation GTS flagship, says the topless C16 represents the pinnacle in American supercar design.

Like its engine, the Speedster’s chassis is also race-inspired and features a new jointly-developed Callaway/Eibach Multi-Pro coil-over suspension system.

The advanced spring/damper system offers 10-position compression and rebound damping adjustment.

Like the C16 Coupe and Cabrio, the Speedster rides on Callaway/Dymag Carbon wheels that are claimed to weigh about 40 per cent less than the lightest aluminum wheels. Significantly reducing unsprung weight, they feature forged magnesium spiders surrounded by carbon-fibre rims and measure 19x10-inch up front and 20x13-inch at rear.

Within them reside massive 355x32mm brake rotors, gripped by six-piston front and four-piston rear callipers.

Adding to the made-to-order Callaway Speedster’s exclusivity is a hand-crafted German leather interior featuring Callaway badging on the door sills, steering wheel and dash area, plus extended head restraints and twin wind deflectors.

Each example is tailored to the buyer’s specifications, including interior and exterior colors and a personalised build plate.

Callaway’s number one C16 Speedster will be delivered to its as-yet-unnamed new owner at Pebble Beach, with further examples going on sale from around September – for a cool $345,000 ($US305,000).

“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.”

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