2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 First Drive

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

The new Z06 is a barely-tamed race car, developed over the last few years on the tracks of the world by the likes of Canada's own Ron Fellows (shown here during the C6R's introduction at the 2005 Detroit auto show). (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

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 Canada's own 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.

The Z06 is a totally unique vehicle that has powertrain, body structure and chassis system features that are distinct from other Corvette models. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

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 Even though the term "cubic inches" has long ago been replaced by "litres" here, the number 427 holds a special place in the hearts of bowtie performance freaks, and yes, that, or 7.0 litres, is the displacement of the largest small-block Chevy ever, the mighty LS7 (another legendary code in GM-speak).