StopTech Carbon Ceramic Brake System makes its supercar debut on Callaway C16 Speedster at 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

StopTech has been working in conjunction with Callaway to develop the ultimate brake system for Callaway’s most exclusive vehicle, the C16 Speedster. The made-to-order, 210mph C16 Speedster features a 700hp Callaway V8, custom adjustable Callaway/Eibach suspension, topless cockpit with integrated helmet holders, and a host of other new technologies. Company founder Reeves Callaway said of the car, “This is Callaway Cars‘ most exquisite vehicle to date.” This dynamic new vehicle will debut on the concept lawn at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18, 2007.

To drag this speeding bullet to a halt, Callaway is relying on StopTech’s new Carbon Ceramic Brake System (CCBS). Lurking behind the Callaway/Dymag Carbon wheels are 380mm (15″) rotors with six piston calipers in the front, and four piston calipers in the rear, clamping 355mm (14″) rotors. The total unsprung weight savings from the carbon/magnesium wheels and the carbon ceramic brakes is a staggering 80 pounds vs. an aluminum wheel and iron rotor set of comparable dimension, or 20 pounds per corner.

StopTech Sales Manager Jeff Ritter commented, “StopTech is thrilled to be associated with a vehicle of this stature, and with the highly regarded Callaway team. The C16 Speedster is the perfect showpiece for our latest technology, and we believe the discerning Callaway customer will truly appreciate what our innovative CCBS system brings to the overall package.”

The primary benefit of the StopTech Carbon Ceramic Brake System is a roughly 65% reduction in weight vs. a traditional gray iron rotor of the same dimension. The result is an overall vehicle weight reduction, unsprung weight reduction, and lower moments of rotational inertia. To the driver, these results translate into improved steering response, less energy required to accelerate the wheel end, and more favorable road wheel compliance. In other words, the vehicle’s ability to stop, turn, and accelerate are all favorably impacted by StopTech’s lightweight Carbon Ceramic Brake System.

The StopTech Carbon Ceramic Brake System also eclipses iron systems and competitive ceramic systems in terms of durability and longevity. Instead of using the discontinuous chopped fiber composition of competitive systems, the StopTech discs use continuous fiber construction. The long fiber structure results in greater strength, less strand ends to oxidize, and greater thermal conductivity. In summary, these rotors are lighter and last longer than anything else on the market.

All of StopTech’s four wheel brake applications using 332mm, 355mm, or 380mm rotor combinations are now available with the Carbon Ceramic rotor option. Existing StopTech customers can upgrade their iron rotor systems to Carbon Ceramic as well.

StopTech will also be introducing a limited range of Carbon Ceramic rotors through our Direct Replacement Kit program. These rotors will be produced in factory sizes to mate with the factory calipers on assorted high performance sports cars, such as the Porsche 911 and Lamborghini Gallardo.

Source: StopTech

CALLAWAY C16 SPEEDSTER
SET TO MAKE WORLD DEBUT AT 2007
PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS d’ELEGANCE

Flagship Model in C16 Line Offers High-Speed Motoring in its Purest Form, Features Jet-Fighter Styling, 700HP Hand-Built Powerplant, Unrivaled Exclusivity

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 20 th 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.