[Z06] Car and Driver Aug 07
06-27-2007, 08:07 PM
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Car and Driver Aug 07
They compared Corvette Z06 to Porsche 911 Turbo, 911 GT3, Lotus Exige S, Audi RS4, Audi R8, Ford Shelby GT500, Corvette Z51, BMW 335i, BMW M Coupe, Pontiac Solstice GXP, Mini Cooper S, and Mazdaspeed 3. Basis of comparison was lap times at VIR 4.2 mile "Grand Course". Z06 was fastest, beating the GT3 by over 3 seconds per lap, the 911 Turbo by over 7 seconds per lap, the Lotus and Audi R8 by over 6 seconds per lap. The Corvette Z51 beat the Shelby by over 2 seconds per lap. Both Corvettes were top performers in their price category, and the Z06 was quickest overall. "In truth, the Z06 wasn't as satisfying to drive as the 911 GT3, but it's hard to argue with the car's incredible performance - or that lap-time record."
06-27-2007, 09:39 PM
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They compared Corvette Z06 to Porsche 911 Turbo, 911 GT3, Lotus Exige S, Audi RS4, Audi R8, Ford Shelby GT500, Corvette Z51, BMW 335i, BMW M Coupe, Pontiac Solstice GXP, Mini Cooper S, and Mazdaspeed 3. Basis of comparison was lap times at VIR 4.2 mile "Grand Course". Z06 was fastest, beating the GT3 by over 3 seconds per lap, the 911 Turbo by over 7 seconds per lap, the Lotus and Audi R8 by over 6 seconds per lap. The Corvette Z51 beat the Shelby by over 2 seconds per lap. Both Corvettes were top performers in their price category, and the Z06 was quickest overall. "In truth, the Z06 wasn't as satisfying to drive as the 911 GT3, but it's hard to argue with the car's incredible performance - or that lap-time record."
Were the C6 Z51 and the Z06 07 models or 08?
Not surprising about the results......
That the Z06 is not as satisfying to drive as a GT3 is nothing new......
06-27-2007, 11:10 PM
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
I don't know that I'd agree that the Z06 is "less satisfying" to drive fast 
. I think it is a bit easier to get good lap times in compared to the GT3, though. There's just so much power on tap all the time that a slight screw-up (too much braking, not carrying quite enough speed through a turn, etc.) doesn't hurt your lap time as much as it does in the GT3. I also shift quite a bit more in the GT3 to try to keep the car in the power band (5000 and above), whereas with the Z I don't need to do that as much because the power band is so unbelievably wide. So different driving experiences for sure, and both fun, but calling one "less satisfying" is completely subjective. They're both awesome cars, and I would assume finished 1 - 2 in the cars reviewed.
. I think it is a bit easier to get good lap times in compared to the GT3, though. There's just so much power on tap all the time that a slight screw-up (too much braking, not carrying quite enough speed through a turn, etc.) doesn't hurt your lap time as much as it does in the GT3. I also shift quite a bit more in the GT3 to try to keep the car in the power band (5000 and above), whereas with the Z I don't need to do that as much because the power band is so unbelievably wide. So different driving experiences for sure, and both fun, but calling one "less satisfying" is completely subjective. They're both awesome cars, and I would assume finished 1 - 2 in the cars reviewed.
06-28-2007, 12:42 AM
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06-28-2007, 01:57 AM
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The overall champ of the day was the Corvette Z06, which took nearly three seconds off the time posted by another example last year. The Z06’s 2:58.2 lap made it the first Lightning Lapper to get around VIR’s Grand Course in less than three minutes, which is all the more remarkable considering it does not have the sticky, racing-type tires the 911 GT3 enjoys. As before, the Z06’s combination of huge horsepower and light weight gave it an advantage on the two long straightaways and in the run up to the Sector Two esses.
But this time around, the revised rear shocks made the Z06 a lot easier to drive at the limit: It still oversteers under power or while lifting off the gas suddenly, but the slides are far more progressive and controllable than before. As a result, the Z06 launches better off the corners, leading to commensurately higher speeds along those straightaways. The brakes on the Z06 are fabulous, as is the engine’s midrange thrust, but the shifter is still clunky and slow. In truth, the Z06 wasn’t as satisfying to drive as the 911 GT3, but it’s hard to argue with the car’s incredible performance—or that lap-time record.
Yep, those new shocks on the 07 are friggin amazing!
But this time around, the revised rear shocks made the Z06 a lot easier to drive at the limit: It still oversteers under power or while lifting off the gas suddenly, but the slides are far more progressive and controllable than before. As a result, the Z06 launches better off the corners, leading to commensurately higher speeds along those straightaways. The brakes on the Z06 are fabulous, as is the engine’s midrange thrust, but the shifter is still clunky and slow. In truth, the Z06 wasn’t as satisfying to drive as the 911 GT3, but it’s hard to argue with the car’s incredible performance—or that lap-time record.
Yep, those new shocks on the 07 are friggin amazing!
Last edited by vegasdude; 06-28-2007 at 02:01 AM.
06-28-2007, 07:41 AM
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The overall champ of the day was the Corvette Z06, which took nearly three seconds off the time posted by another example last year. The Z06’s 2:58.2 lap made it the first Lightning Lapper to get around VIR’s Grand Course in less than three minutes, which is all the more remarkable considering it does not have the sticky, racing-type tires the 911 GT3 enjoys. As before, the Z06’s combination of huge horsepower and light weight gave it an advantage on the two long straightaways and in the run up to the Sector Two esses.
But this time around, the revised rear shocks made the Z06 a lot easier to drive at the limit: It still oversteers under power or while lifting off the gas suddenly, but the slides are far more progressive and controllable than before. As a result, the Z06 launches better off the corners, leading to commensurately higher speeds along those straightaways. The brakes on the Z06 are fabulous, as is the engine’s midrange thrust, but the shifter is still clunky and slow. In truth, the Z06 wasn’t as satisfying to drive as the 911 GT3, but it’s hard to argue with the car’s incredible performance—or that lap-time record.
Yep, those new shocks on the 07 are friggin amazing!
But this time around, the revised rear shocks made the Z06 a lot easier to drive at the limit: It still oversteers under power or while lifting off the gas suddenly, but the slides are far more progressive and controllable than before. As a result, the Z06 launches better off the corners, leading to commensurately higher speeds along those straightaways. The brakes on the Z06 are fabulous, as is the engine’s midrange thrust, but the shifter is still clunky and slow. In truth, the Z06 wasn’t as satisfying to drive as the 911 GT3, but it’s hard to argue with the car’s incredible performance—or that lap-time record.
Yep, those new shocks on the 07 are friggin amazing!
But it looks like this is a 07 model since they keep complaining about the Z06 shifter....
So this Z06 does not have the 08 revised shifter.......
06-28-2007, 08:14 AM
#13
Oh, no...........not the shocks thing again.
06-28-2007, 08:23 AM
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
And morontrend had the Z ranked ninth on handling using its subjective tests and a zombified "race" driver angelleli..
The BS stops where the rubber meets the road. Stopwatch don't lie.
(or maybe C&D just got a real driver who wasn't scared.)
The BS stops where the rubber meets the road. Stopwatch don't lie.
(or maybe C&D just got a real driver who wasn't scared.)
06-28-2007, 08:58 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
This rear suspension thing is really getting to be rediculous. How can Chevy keep telling them there was a change, but tell us there isnt????
I wouldnt be surprised if some of it has to do with alignment. I got my alignment right and the car feels completely different!!
I wouldnt be surprised if some of it has to do with alignment. I got my alignment right and the car feels completely different!!
06-28-2007, 09:04 AM
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06-28-2007, 10:41 AM
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I read that article. Its pretty awesome consdering the disadvantage in tires vs. the GT3. I would love to know how much they could improve on that 2.58 with some race tires on the Z.
06-28-2007, 11:04 AM
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06-28-2007, 11:07 AM
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It is a big mystery why Angelleli did that stupid video review of the Z06.
The only thing I could find is that they (Moron Trend) overinflated the tires (started with 35 psi all, by their own admission).
