Significance
In the 70-year history of the Corvette, it has rarely utilized cutting-edge technology or been more forward-thinking than its European rivals, but when it comes to performance, it has never been a letdown. This has never been more apparent than with the C7 Z06, which debuted for the 2015 model year. The Z06 was always designed to be the Corvette for the enthusiast who wanted to spend more time at the track and featured a power bump and more dialed-in suspension. But never before had the jump between the standard Corvette and Z06 been as large as in the C7. The engine gained forced induction in the way of a supercharger, Brembo brakes were fitted, and numerous unique carbon fiber body panels were added- all of which combined to make a blistering road car that could compete with some of the best cars to ever come out of the European manufacturers.
About this vehicle
This 2016 Corvette Z06 is finished in the official Chevrolet Racing Team color of Corvette Racing Yellow, paired with black wheels and accents around the car. When you look at the Z06, it is immediately identifiable by the exaggerated hood bulge with black contrast venting in the center and along the sides of the car, extractor vents behind the front wheels, and brake cooling ducts in front of the rears. At the back of the car, a black decklid spoiler sits atop the Corvette’s signature 4-brake lights, and below that sit quad round exhaust tips stacked right next to one another. One great thing about the majority of hardtop Corvettes from the last 25 years is that they are still fitted with a removable targa top to enjoy open-air motoring– this example is fitted with a glass top that makes the inside of the car feel more open and lets you enjoy the outside world even with the top on.
On the interior, this Z06 was optioned with the 3LZ interior package, which includes upgraded materials in the form of higher-quality Nappa leather, Alcantara, and deviated stitching. For years, one of the aspects of the Corvette that was frequently cited as sub-standard was the interior- the consensus was that for the C7, Chevrolet truly upped their game and brought the quality up to par. In front of the driver sits a multi-function leather-wrapped, 3-spoke steering wheel with stainless and carbon fiber elements and a pair of shift paddles in the rear to control the gearbox. Behind that, a combination of digital LCD and analog gauges allows the driver to change the layout and put the most important readouts right in front of them. In the center stack, an LCD screen controls the stereo, navigation and track recording system, and a dual-zone climate control sits below it.
The heart of the Z06 is the 6.2-liter LT4 V8 that sits up front. With the assistance of a 1.7-liter Eaton TVS Supercharger, this engine puts out 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque- making it the most powerful Corvette ever at its launch. One of the things that makes this engine so enjoyable to use every day is the mountains of low-down torque on offer- from idle, 457 lb-ft are available, and at just 2,800 rpm, that number balloons to a massive 625 lb-ft, making it exceptionally fast in any situation. In this car, the engine is connected to an 8-speed Hydramatic Automatic gearbox with paddle shifting capabilities- that sends power to the rear wheels through an electronic limited-slip differential. Utilizing a double wishbone suspension front and rear with General Motor’s famous Magnetic Ride Control, the Z06 offers pleasant manners on the road while also being a monster on the track.
When pitted against its rivals, the Z06 matches or betters cars that cost 2-3 times as much while also remaining reliable and simple to service. If you want the performance of a European exotic but are concerned about the hassles associated with that, the Corvette Z06 is an excellent alternative.
