Vehicle: 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Price as tested: CDN$98050

Performance: Corvette Z06 has always been the American standard of a proper sports car, the same goes for the latest iteration. For 2006, Z06 continues to up-the-ante with a 7.0L LS6 pushrod V8, which has a whopping 505 horses and 637 lb/ft of torque. Powerful is an understatement for this kind of performance. There are amazing torque and hp in each rpm, which never felt its gonna slow down at any speed. Even the maximum torque of 637 lb/ft arrives at 4800rpm, you have no problem but spin tires at 2rd or 3rd gear. Going from north to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds could also well be the fastest car I have ever driven. Speaking of its 6-speed stick shift, GM still refused to get rid of the annoying skip shift feature. In order to save fuel, GM decided to let the environmentalist decided which gear to shift. This skip shift feature is very irriating. You really have to slam on the gas and clutch pedals in order to avoid into 4th gear. Once you drive hard from 1st, 2nd and 3rd; you won’t save any gas anyway. On the other hand, the clutch is progressive with proper weight for such a high performance machinery. Gear change, however, feels rubbery and throws are long for a sports car. If you “drive” it properly without going into skip shift, this 6-speed also scores with nicely set gear ratios.

Handling: Z06 has all the right ingedients for being a great sports car. Everything from a rock-solid chassis to awesome Active Handling System. With this AHS, flat cornering is just the beginning to describe how great Z06 handles. The steering is sharp, precise and responsive; its also weighty enough for sports car of this caliber. The Magentic Select Ride Control also contributes to Z06′s civilized ride as a daily driver. If you select “Tour”, Z06 can become as civilized as any sports sedan out there. However, if you select “Sport”, Z06 is truly a beast with its track-ready setting. Although the ride quality feels a bit choppy on washboard pavement with “Sport” setting, this is just a little sacifice for enjoying a sports car with such an excellent rebound damping. There are almost no body rolls and oversteer is easy to control. In a nutshell, Z06 could well be the best handling American car out there.

Brakes: Z06′s brakes are equally impressive. With 6-piston front brakes, 4-piston rear brakes and cross-drilled rotors. The stopping distance is nothing short of astounishing. Let alone its pedal feel rivals those best of Porsches, which already considered as the benchmark in the industry. They are fade-free after a couple of hard stops while ABS won’t kicked in until absoultely needed.

Interior: Inside Corvette Z06, its a typical driver’s car environment. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. Stereo placed above the effective auto climate control for excellent ergonomics. The sports seats are of superb back and thigh supports. Not to mention the driving position is easily found and adjusted. However, the use of interior materials are completely unacceptable for a sports car of this caliber. There are just too many hard plastic with hollowing sound. GM still doesn’t know how to produce a proper interior when they can produce a great sports car. Its just not a totally satisfying package.

Conclusion: The Corvette Z06 could well be the best American car ever made, or the best car GM has ever made. If GM is willing to give a quarter of an effort for developing Z06 into any of their products, its future would be much brighter in the near future.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-f0r-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5