Drop the proverbial hammer on the fastest, most powerful and most technologically advanced American super car under six figures—the 2008 Z06 Corvette—and you just began the driving thrill of a lifetime. Just make sure those driving gloves are pulled on tight and the smile muscles well-toned before turning the key. There’s nothing else with a blue bow-tie that comes close to the instant turn-on factor the newest iteration of American muscle car lore than this sweet ride. With 505-well-bred ponies from 427 cubic-inches of American big-block at your wish and whim you have the ability to rip to 60mph in 3.7 seconds while still in first gear, run more than triple the average interstate speed limit, and turn every head within eye sight. The ’08 Z06 is a dream ride. But for all its race-inspired functionality, the truth is the Z06 is designed to be a daily-driver—a very quick daily-driver, but one none the less. This ‘vette has all the creature comforts of a luxury car mixed with a few high-tech features of a race car. It’s invitingly comfortable around town or on long-drives. The heated
deep bucket seats are leather, the interior Such good fuel economy comes from a superbly designed engine and the use of such production vehicle exotic materials such as a carbon-fiber body, aluminum frame, and magnesium structural and chassis components. When those elements are wrapped in the Corvette Z06 package you get a phenomenal American sports car that is light in weight and heavy in strength. Lest I forget to mention it has the most state-of-the-art suspension, handling, and safety features found in any GM product. It even allows the driver to dial-in the level of traction and handling management required of the computer. If you are at the track, switch to “competition” mode. On slippery streets, let the computer and active traction control system do all the work. The Corvette Z06 is truly the best of both worlds. Dollar-for-dollar
it’s the best performance ride on the Basic Specs Make/Model: ’08 Corvette Z06 Coupe Base Price: $69,175 Price As Tested: $77,230 (2LZ package) Engine: all-aluminum, 505hp, 7.0L (427.6cid) V-8 Transmission: 6-spd manual Axle ratio: 3.42:1 EPA fuel economy: 15 city/24 highway Fuel capacity: 18 gals. Curb weight: 3,162 lbs Performance*: 0-60mph: 3.7 sec ¼-mile: 11.7 sec @ 125mph Top Speed: 198mph *Factory numbers
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STILL
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quiet, the Bose stereo rich and powerful like the car. And, this
unbelievably fun coupe delivers 24 miles-per-gallon on the road and 15 in
town.
road.—Bruce W. Smith