Overview
With a $20,000 premium, the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is much more expensive than the standard ‘Vette – and it may well be worth every penny.
You only need one Z06. That’s enough, especially with the impressive array of technology and engineering found in the 2006 edition. Available at a base price of $65,850, the Z06 is about $20,000 more expensive than the standard Corvette coupe. You probably get more than $20,000 in thrills.
The 2006 Z06, after all, upgrades the ‘Vette to super car status: its new LS7 7.0-liter V8 engine (427 cubic inches for you old farts) makes 505 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 470 lb.-ft. of twist at 4,800 rpm. That makes the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 the fastest ‘Vette ever, getting to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, ramming up to 198 miles per hour, and registering a decent 16 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles on the highway according to the EPA. The engine, which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, gets racing-bred technology such as dry-sump lubrication, and heavy-duty coolers for the power steering, gearbox, brakes and rear differential. Built on the same frame as the standard Corvette, the Z06 gets a lighter and stiffer aluminum structure, a magnesium front cradle and fixed roof panel, and carbon fiber front fenders – all of which make the Z06 faster then ever. Handling all that speed are big wheels measuring 19-inches in back and 18-inches up front, clad with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar run-flat tires, sized 325/30ZR19 at the rear and 275/35ZR18 in front. That’s the largest wheel-and-tire combination ever offered on a Corvette. The Z06’s brakes are also bigger, with red-painted, six-piston calipers and large, cross-drilled rotors spanning 14 inches in front and 13.4 inches in back. Suspension differences include Sachs monotube shock absorbers, stiffer springs and heavy-duty struts.
Exterior styling differences include a wider front fascia with a larger grille opening, an air scoop at the leading edge of the hood, wider rear fenders with flares to cover the massive rear tires, and a brake cooling scoop in front of the back wheels. There’s also a rear spoiler, unique 10-spoke wheels, four stainless steel exhaust outlets, and special badges.
Inside, the 2006 Corvette Z06 loses the electric seat bolsters and power passenger’s seat in order to save weight, but upgrades the gauge cluster with the Z06 logo on the tach and a new readout on the oil pressure gauge to reflect the higher standard pressure of the dry-sump oiling system. Like other 2006 Corvettes, the Z06 has a new, smaller-diameter 370-mm three-spoke steering wheel. Seats feature two-tone leather surfaces, with Z06-logo embroidery and contrasting stitching. Standard features include high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting, fog lamps, dual-zone air conditioning, cabin air filtration, a head-up display (HUD) with track mode and g-meter, and a stereo with a CD/MP3 player. Options for the Corvette Z06 include a Bose audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer, XM satellite radio, polished wheels, a telescopic steering wheel, heated seats, side airbags, a navigation system, and a universal home remote.
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