When it comes to turn of the century supercars, very rarely does the term "bang-for-the-buck" every really come along for the ride. We've seen cars like the McLaren F1 come and dominate the entire automotive universe for a cool million bucks. Or something like the ungodly fast, and expensive Saleen S7 storm on the scene and then disappear before we even have a chance to try and save up for one. Even more modern cars like the Audi R8 are insanely breathtaking, but are just out of reach for most normal people that don't want to re-mortgage their house.
After the demise of the beloved Pontiac Trans Am WS6, the hearts and minds of those of us looking for a powerful American sports car were desperate for Chevrolet and General Motors to come up with something we could latch on to. Thankfully, it was only in 2005 that the new C6 debuted and gave us all something to cheer for. But, that pesky Dodge Viper was still prowling the streets, and Ford not only released their reinvented GT500, but also resurrected their GT for a limited run. Suddenly even the stout C6 was just not quite enough, and so in 2006, the C6 Z06 was born
2006-2013 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06
- Hand-Built 7.0-Liter V8
- Available Carbon-Ceramic Brakes (in later years)
- Dual-Mode Exhaust
- Trim: Z06
- Model: Corvette
- Engine/Motor: 7.0-Liter Naturally Aspirated OHV V8
- Horsepower: 505-Horsepower @ 6,300 RPM
- Torque: 470 Pound-Feet @ 4,800 RPM
- Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- 7,000 RPM Redline
- 0-60 MPH In 3.7 Seconds
- 198 MPH Top Speed
- Fixed Roof Only
- Less Than Luxurious Feeling Interior
- Stiff Suspension For Daily Driving
C6 Z06 Powertrain
The crown jewel of the C6 Z06 is by far and away its engine, which arguably is the greatest that GM has ever put into a Corvette. If nothing else, it is at least the best small block Chevy has ever made. It's hard to imagine a 7.0-liter overhead valve aluminum block and heads V8 as a small block, but they did it, and it was called the LS7. Inside that monster motor are parts you'd expect to find on a gearhead's Christmas wish list - forged-steel crankshaft, forged pistons, titanium connecting rods, forged-steel main-bearing caps, and even an eight-quart dry-sump oiling system.
But the fun didn't just stop on the in the block. A composite intake manifold got fed by a low-restriction air cleaner and then funneled air into CNC-machined heads that used titanium for the intake and sodium-filled stems for the exhaust. Combusted air was then sent through hydroformed exhaust manifolds and ultimately out through huge three-inch exhaust pipes. The result of all this excitement? A stupid powerful 505-horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, and a sky-high redline of 7,000 RPM! Try to find another overhead valve seven-liter V8 that can rev that high.
C6 Z06 Drivetrain
As with any true modern supercar worth its salt is about more than just straight-line performance. That massive power is all but meaningless if it can't effectively get to the ground. From the engine, all that power got sent through a heavy-duty clutch and rear-mounted six-speed manual transmission, on to a 3.42 final drive ratio and finally to a set of 275/35ZR-18 front/325//30ZR-19 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. The suspension got upgraded from the base car with stiffer front springs and monotube shocks, as well as bigger anti-roll bars.
The brakes are also larger than the C6, measuring 14.0-inches up front, which got clamped down by six-piston calipers, and four-piston, 13.4-inch rotors out back. Beginning in 2011 with the Carbon Edition and then the Z07 package in 2012 and 2013, there were optional carbon-ceramic brakes available.Extensive use of carbon fiber for both the front fenders and the fixed roof, as well as a lighter, aluminum chassis allowed the svelte Z06 to tip the scales at just 3,150 pounds, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of just 6.2 pounds per horsepower, which edged out even the mighty (and more powerful) Ford GT.
C6 Z06 Performance And Handling Ability
Simply put, until the ZR1 came long in 2009, the C6 Z06 was the quickest and fastest Corvette ever produced. Period. The Z was capable of humiliating cars that cost many times over its base price, and didn't take a superhero to get the most out of it. The C6 Z06 could run from 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds, from 0-100 mph in just 7.6 seconds and through the quarter mile in a scalding 11.7 seconds at 127 mph.
Thanks to its nearly perfect weight distribution and race-ready chassis, the Z06 was able to whip around the skidpad to the tune of 1.07g. Those massive brakes help scrub off speed from 60-0 mph in just 93 eye-popping feet. For a 7.0-liter 505-horsepower V8, the Z06 even managed to post mid-to-high 20 miles per gallon on the highway, with credit going to a tall sixth gear, specifically meant for cruising.
C6 Z06 Interior Space, Quality, And Technology
To be fair, the C6 Z06 interior was a significant upgrade over its C5 Z predecessor. The floorboards for one, were a combination of balsa wood and carbon fiber, which allowed for the use of thinner carpets added weight savings, without having to deal with excessive noise and heat. The C6 Z06 also carried over the C5's heads-up display, but also debuted a built-in navigation system, climate-control, and even heated seats - a first for the Corvette. The Z06 also offered up a considerable 22.4 cubic feet of cargo volume.
But much like the previous C5 Z06, Corvette engineers decided to spend money in the places where it would be most effective - the power and drivetrain. But, in order to be one of the best bang-for-the-buck supercars in the world, something needed to get sacrificed a little bit. That "sacrifice" was the interior, and using some cheaper plastic bits about the cabin. But it wasn't as if the interior of the C6 Z06 was with the Spartan first-gen Dodge Viper. The Z had a very livable interior, even for driving on a daily basis.
C6 Z06 Pricing
At the time of its inception, the 2006 Z06 retailed for $65,800, which represented a premium of about twenty-thousand dollars over the base C6. In its final year of 2013, the Z06 had an MSRP of $75,600. According to Classic.com, the average resale price for a C6 Z06 is $43,188, with the lowest sale price being $25,300 and the highest coming in at a lofty $190,000.
The C6 Z06 was the first time the Corvette entered the world of the supercar. There are tons of videos around the internet showing high-end exotics getting put out to pasture by the C6Z. The Corvette was always a competitive sports car, but the 2006-2013 Z was nothing short of amazing, and there was no car on earth that could compete with its combination of speed, power, and style for anywhere near the same price.