GM has kept a steady train of specialty Corvettes rolling off the line for a few years now. It all started with the Z06, then came the ZR1, the Grand Sport package, and finally the Carbon Edition Z06. Slotted in-between the Z06 and ZR1 performance-wise, GM has been reluctant to release information on the cost and production date of the Carbon Edition.

Well, Corvette Blogger finally managed to get the information out of them. The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition will start at $90,960, and production begins towards the end of the first quarter in 2011.

$90,960 is just the base MSRP for the Carbon Edition Z06. If you elect for all the options, the Carbon Edition will set you back $99,925. The Carbon Edition Z06 is like a Z06 that has been rifling through the parts bin of a ZR1. It shares the same ceramic brakes as its supercar cousin, gets Magnetic Selective Ride Control, a raised carbon fiber hood, and it has an upgraded suede interior. On the outside it rides on special black wheels, has black mirrors and headlamps, and has a ZR1-style spoiler.

Basically, it is a ZR1 minus the supercharged LS9 engine. It is for all intents and purposes a junior Corvette-supercar a “Diet ZR1.” Coming in at just $10,000 cheaper than the ZR1 though, it isn’t what one might call a bargain. Why not just go for the full Monty instead and get the ZR1, instead of borrowing a bunch of bits and pieces for 9/10^th of the price?