2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Review

Specifications

The Best Horsepower-per-Dollar Proposition in the High-Performance Arena

For the last four years of the C5-generation car, through 2004, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 offered a bit more of everything to the Corvette enthusiast, including exclusivity and performance.

For 2006, though, the new C6 Z06 has a lot more of what enthusiasts want, given it is a barely-tamed race car developed over the last few years on the tracks of the world by the likes of Ron Fellows.
   
Links between racing and the production Z06 are both direct and indirect, as the street car was developed in conjunction with the C6-R. The technology transfer includes the application of lessons that could only have been learned after many laps of endurance racing - everything from suspension geometry to aerodynamics. What engineers developed in the Z06 is a totally unique vehicle that has powertrain, body structure and chassis system features that are distinct from other Corvette models. In fact, the Z06 even has a different body structure compared to ordinary Corvettes.
   
Start with the engine. Even though the term “cubic inches” has long ago been replaced by “litres” here, the number 427 holds a special place in the hearts of bowtie performance freaks, and yes, that, or 7.0 liters, is the displacement of the largest small-block Chevy ever, the mighty LS7 (another legendary code in GM-speak).

The engines equipment specs certainly read like a race cars. Unique cylinder block with wide bore spacing, titanium connecting rods and valves, forged steel crankshaft, ported aluminum cylinder heads, high-lift camshaft, 11.0:1 compression, dry-sump oiling system - there is nothing missing here. Output is 505 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 470 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm.
   
Thanks to this power and its 3,130 pound curbweight, the Z06 will do 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds - in first gear, 12-second quarter miles, and almost 200 mph - all while being easily drivable around town at low rpms. The wonders of modern electronics….
   
Putting that kind of power to the street requires a hefty drivetrain. The six-speed manual transmission has been strengthened to handle the LS7s increased torque load. It includes a pump that sends transmission fluid to the front radiator for cooling. Upon its return, the fluid removes additional heat from the differential lube before returning to the transmission. The six-speed transmission connects to a limited-slip differential, with enlarged ring and pinion gears. Stronger axle half-shafts with tougher universal joints transmit power to the rear wheels.
   
The Z06 rides on all-new wheels, tires, brakes. The rolling stock comprises 18 x 9.5-inch aluminum wheels and 275/35ZR18 tires in the front, and 19 x 12-inch aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear - the largest wheel-and-tire combination ever offered on a Corvette.

Bringing it all to a stop is a disc brake system consisting of 14-inch (355-mm) vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4-inch (340-mm) vented and cross-drilled rear rotors. Clamping the rotors up front are huge, red-painted six-piston calipers that use six individual brake pads. Out back, four-piston calipers with four individual brake pads are used.
   
The race-bred technology continues in the Z06s body structure. It has a unique aluminum body structure for optimum stiffness and light weight for the fixed-roof bodystyle (the only one available, and thankfully better looking than the C5 Z06s roof.) Perimeter frame rails are one-piece hydroformed aluminum members with cast suspension nodes, which replace many welded steel components on other Corvette models.

Advanced structural composites featuring carbon fiber are bonded to the aluminum structure. The wider front wheelhouses, for example, are carbon composites and the passenger compartment floors combine carbon-fiber skins with an ultra-lightweight balsa wood core.
   
The Z06 has a new magnesium cradle that serves as the attachment point for the engine and some front suspension components. It helps improve the front-to-rear weight distribution, as do carbon-fiber front fenders and wheelhouses. The battery has been moved from underhood to a position behind one of the rear wheels.

Externally, the Z06 is less of a radical departure over regular Corvettes, but clearly recognizable as something more muscular. There are certainly more air intake and exhaust scoops on the car, meeting the requirements of the upgraded mechanicals. There are splitters under the car, radiused wheel openings, wider rear fenders and a taller spoiler. Its all quite subtle, although a darker color than our testers wild yellow hue would allow a bit more of a stealth factor.
   
The Z06 is not some stripped out street racer that demands compromises of its driver. It is pretty much fully equipped with all the comfort and convenience amenities that a Corvette driver would expect, including air conditioning, leather seats (lighter and more supportive than the regular versions), power windows, locks and mirrors, all the usual stuff.
   
Options include Bose audio, navigation, side air bags, and, oddly, a telescoping steering column that should be standard on such a drivers car. The interior looks pretty much the same as that in the regular Vettes, and therefore cannot be said to be the most impressive part of the car. But in a sense, its somewhat basic design is in keeping with the Z06s mission in life - ultimate performance.
   
Words cannot adequately describe the performance of the Z06, and at this writing, we have only tried it on country roads. A race track evaluation will follow soon, but this much we know - it must be the best horsepower-per-dollar proposition in the high-performance arena. The asking price is $65,800 and only limited numbers will be available during the 2006 model year. Dont wait if you want one.