Corvette C7 Z06 - (updated with road tests)

[SAJ]

Ever since the new C7 Corvette Stingray showed its face to the world I've always kept my eye on the car. I've on a couple of occasions in the past considered the previous Z06 but for one reason or another decided to not bother with it. Once was during my Europa ownership and the other time was before before the Exige was ordered.

Now the new Z06 is going to be available sometime next year and it has got me thinking again. Nothing wrong with the Evora and not bored with it either and I've been especially enjoy the car the last few months through the Rev Limits road runs but I just really like to look of this car, especially the convertible.

The stats of the car are incredible and the Z06 is definitely one of those cars that can handle and the new Stingray has been getting rave reviews from most of the British motoring press too.

So I was hoping someone here might have had experience with owning an American import. The Stingray is imported officially into the UK at the moment and I expect the Z06 will too so just really wanted to get some views on what the rest of the SE forum think is worth considering.

I've driven the previous C6 Corvette but not the Z06 and I plan to test drive the Stingray as soon as a demo is made available in the coming months. Price wise I have no idea at the moment so that could throw a spanner in the works if it is out of range but Chevrolet have been saying that if you could afford to by the last Z06 then you will be able to afford the new one. (Fingers crossed)

A few stats for those of you that like that sort of stuff:

Engine: Supercharged 6.2L aluminum V8 engine
Power: SAE certified 650 horsepower
Torque: 650 lb.-ft.
Brakes: Front 14.6"/ rear14.4" two-piece steel rotors or available Front 15.5" /Rear 15.3" carbon-ceramic rotors with the Z07 Performance Package

Pretty much a full on Supercar when compared to the usual exotics:



Full specs here http://www.chevycorvette.com/2015-corvette-z06

[GBOBM]

That is particularly pretty for an American car.

[jj]

The guys that I used to import the Pagoda from Virginia will be able to help and also have trusted sources for new cars. They also take care of all paperwork / hmrc / changing lights .

Www.shipmycar.co.uk

[Dominic]

For me, I'd be going for an Exige V6 - it's not all about the headline BHP figures... IMHO

[Andy G]

With you Dom, but this care will be rare as anything.

Seen the new vette a fair bit of late on my travels - not sold on the rear but great fun.

[tonyg]

Nice looking car - hope you get one, love to see it in the flesh.
Just remember SAE and DIN horsepower are two different measurements - IIRC there's about 20% difference, so in European measurements the Corvette power output would be about 500 hp (still more than adequate)

[SAJ]

For me, I'd be going for an Exige V6 - it's not all about the headline BHP figures... IMHO

Yeh totally agree it isn't all about BHP (I wouldn't have bought a brand new Evora in that case - same money would have bought much more powerful cars) I just put a few stats for the numbers guys out there. I mean really how much can you unleash 650bhp rear drive on the road, probably not much if any. I'd say the Exige is a fairly different car from this and one of the things about this car which makes me want it is just the way it looks. If I wanted it to be all about the BHP I could just go out and buy a newish GT-R drop a few thousand pounds(£) on top of it and have and hugely powerful car too so definitely not a BHP thing, but it's nice to know you have it under your foot.

The guys that I used to import the Pagoda from Virginia will be able to help and also have trusted sources for new cars. They also take care of all paperwork / hmrc / changing lights .

http://Www.shipmycar.co.uk

Thanks for that. I'll definitely look into it. Anything I should be wary of from your experiences?

Nice looking car - hope you get one, love to see it in the flesh.
Just remember SAE and DIN horsepower are two different measurements - IIRC there's about 20% difference, so in European measurements the Corvette power output would be about 500 hp (still more than adequate)

That's exactly why I left the SAE in there to be clear on the output as is. As you've said it will still be pretty rapid and I believe it isn't going to way anymore than 1500kg so not Exige light but still only a little over what the Evora S weighs.

With you Dom, but this care will be rare as anything.

Seen the new vette a fair bit of late on my travels - not sold on the rear but great fun.

Another pro of having this car, it will be super rare which is also kind of nice. At the same time that will maybe bring it's own cons when it comes to maintaining it but there are some pretty good specialists in Scotland that I've been told about.

[rossybee]

Nice looking car - hope you get one, love to see it in the flesh.
Just remember SAE and DIN horsepower are two different measurements - IIRC there's about 20% difference, so in European measurements the Corvette power output would be about 500 hp (still more than adequate)

Tony - I'm afraid you're wrong.

The difference is less than 2%, and the other way...so 650hp SAE is around 660hp DIN (or metric), which in turn is about 485kw

/power geek

[rossybee]

Oh and SAJ - nice - the C7 is a pretty car - my only concern would be size, but have they become more compact in recent years i.e. better suited to UK roads?

[SAJ]

Nice looking car - hope you get one, love to see it in the flesh.
Just remember SAE and DIN horsepower are two different measurements - IIRC there's about 20% difference, so in European measurements the Corvette power output would be about 500 hp (still more than adequate)

I was thinking about the estimate you gave and thought it was quite a massive difference so just did a bit of searching online for the conversion and found this:

DIN PS = SAE HP * 1.0142
SAE HP = DIN PS * 0.9860

So in this case 650 x 1.0142 = 659.23 PS

659.23 PS = 649.95 bhp

Unless I've completely misunderstood things.

[SAJ]

Oh and SAJ - nice - the C7 is a pretty car - my only concern would be size, but have they become more compact in recent years i.e. better suited to UK roads?

They are much more compact these days. The Evora S including wing mirrors is 2047 mm (width with mirrors) and a corvette stingray is 1880 mm without the mirrors so about as wide as an Evora by my estimates but it is a longer car.

Oh and just seen your post about SAE/DIN after I posted my followup reply

[Dominic]

For me, I'd be going for an Exige V6 - it's not all about the headline BHP figures... IMHO

Yeh totally agree it isn't all about BHP (I wouldn't have bought a brand new Evora in that case - same money would have bought much more powerful cars) I just put a few stats for the numbers guys out there. I mean really how much can you unleash 650bhp rear drive on the road, probably not much if any. I'd say the Exige is a fairly different car from this and one of the things about this car which makes me want it is just the way it looks. If I wanted it to be all about the BHP I could just go out and buy a newish GT-R drop a few thousand pounds(£) on top of it and have and hugely powerful car too so definitely not a BHP thing, but it's nice to know you have it under your foot.

Rarity is an appealing factor - as are looks.

550BHP is the most I have had under my right foot for rear wheels only to cope with. Without any driver aids either - would say it would be entertaining for sure! I seem to recall the previous 'Vette had a rep as being a bit of a handful - could not deploy its power very effectively - different model I know, but how does this stack up in comparison?

[Andy G]

Drove the F12 at Millbrook last month - 740bhp

C7 does look a good bit smaller than previously, and variety is the spice of life - so many cars so little time

[j2 lot]

My only concern would be servicing/ reliability/ parts .
Chevrolet have officially quit the UK iirc so there will be no direct dealer back-up.

Probably not a car I would go for but I can definitely see the appeal. :thumbsup
I would prefer a Mustang which I believe is going to be officially on sale in the UK market (available with a 4 pot too :? )

[SAJ]

For me, I'd be going for an Exige V6 - it's not all about the headline BHP figures... IMHO

Yeh totally agree it isn't all about BHP (I wouldn't have bought a brand new Evora in that case - same money would have bought much more powerful cars) I just put a few stats for the numbers guys out there. I mean really how much can you unleash 650bhp rear drive on the road, probably not much if any. I'd say the Exige is a fairly different car from this and one of the things about this car which makes me want it is just the way it looks. If I wanted it to be all about the BHP I could just go out and buy a newish GT-R drop a few thousand pounds(£) on top of it and have and hugely powerful car too so definitely not a BHP thing, but it's nice to know you have it under your foot.

Rarity is an appealing factor - as are looks.

550BHP is the most I have had under my right foot for rear wheels only to cope with. Without any driver aids either - would say it would be entertaining for sure! I seem to recall the previous 'Vette had a rep as being a bit of a handful - could not deploy its power very effectively - different model I know, but how does this stack up in comparison?

The only thing from a comparison to go on at the moment is something like this (Autocar youtube video) which is with the current Stingray. The Z06 will effectively be a better car so things are looking good for it if one assumes it will be better in the same way an M3 or RS5 is better than the standard cars they are based on.

Watch on YouTube

My only concern would be servicing/ reliability/ parts .
Chevrolet have officially quit the UK iirc so there will be no direct dealer back-up.

Probably not a car I would go for but I can definitely see the appeal.
I would prefer a Mustang which I believe is going to be officially on sale in the UK market (available with a 4 pot too )

Keith, interesting that you say that. I got in touch with the only offical UK dealer and the Stingrays they have are offical UK imports so have full warranty for 3 years. Servicing will mean a trek down to Manchester but then it is a good excuse for a road trip. That's of course assuming the Z06 becomes an official UK import, if not and I have to import it myself then everything you've said will probably apply although having spoken to a few importers there are recommended specialists in Scotland that seem to have a good reputation.

I do like the look of the new Mustang and I believe it will be right hand drive also when it comes to the UK but I think I'm still in the Camaro camp if I had to go 4 seats. Have you seen the Z/28 that's one hell of a car.