2006 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6

By Don Sherman



The Corvette crew must have been biting lips bloody to keep this secret from leaking. The C6, the Porsche-baiting sixth-generation Vette, is a fin rejuvenation of America's favourite sports car but a mere Wilbur Milquetoast compared with the next project in the hopper. For those of you who are unimpressed by the C6's 400 hp and 186-mph top end, your redemption is nigh. At year's end, the ZO6 son of C6 hits the streets with Porsche's 911 Turbo in its crosshairs.
Challenging one of the most revered nameplates in sports-cardom with a car that has a pushrod engine is no mean feat. The Corvette folks prepped for that mission by lightening everything but the brakes, by hogging out the cylinder bores, and by nudging the redline ever higher. Other than wheelbase, little of the C6 makes the leap to the ZO6. What we have here is an all-new engine, major body alterations, sweeping chassis mods, and true supercar materials throughout. Calling it the ZO7 would have been warranted.

The Engine
The Chassis
The Body
The Interior

Adding 100 hp, subtracting 100 pounds, and improving weight distribution in a car that is already an exemplary performer is the sure way to pique the interest of the Porsche devout. At the unveiling ceremony for the new ZO6, chief engineer and vehicle line executive Dave Hill touted a remarkable set of performance stats: 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds, 0 to 100 mph in less than 8.0 seconds, quarter-mile acceleration in less than 12.0 seconds, and a top speed of more than 190 mph. He did this with a twinkle in his eye, born of confidence that he is ready for whatever Porsche---or Ferrari---intends to bring to the next supercar showdown.

2006 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 Stats