2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Breaks 3-second 0-60 Mark

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Investing in an eight-speed automatic transmission for the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 already has begun paying dividends for the Bowtie brand: Configured with that paddle-shifting power manager, the range-topping Corvette catapults from 0-60 in just 2.95 seconds, confirming its position as the fastest-accelerating production Corvette ever released.

Prefer to measure performance by the quarter mile? The automatic 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 sets a new benchmark in that sprint, too, clocking an E.T. of 10.95 seconds at 127 mph. And even on longer-range runs, like the 2.9-mile road course at the General Motors Milford (Mich.) Proving Ground, the latest Z06 sets the pace; although Chevrolet didn't release lap times, the brand did note that the vehicle was the fastest production car ever tested there and a full second quicker around the track than the previous record holder, the previous-gen Corvette ZR1.

Raved Mark Reuss, General Motors’ executive vice president for Global Product Development: “The Corvette has long been known as America’s sports car. With the capability of the new Z06 rivaling the best performance cars in the world, we will also be America’s Supercar.”

Drivers who enjoy the throwback thrill of a manual transmission also can rest easy, as a seven-speed DIY transmission is standard for the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and provides some fairly fast times as well: a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds and a quarter-mile mark of 11.2 seconds (with the same final speed of 127 mph as the automatically transmissioned 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06).

Also, all of these times were set when the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe was configured with an optional Z07 Performance package. That setup pairs the Z06's standard supercharged, 650-hp V8 with upgrades like Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors, Michelin's Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and a significant aero upgradthat delivers more downforce than in any production car ever evaluated by General Motors.

The party line from Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer: “The defining aspect of driving the Z06 is seamless integration of power, technology and aerodynamics. As a result, the Z06 delivers ferocious acceleration, tenacious handling, and high-speed stability that few cars can match.”

Priced from $78,995, the first 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 models are expected in dealerships early next year.