The 2006 Chevrolet Corvette

The 2006 Chevrolet Corvette was the second model year of the C6 Corvette.  There were almost no changes to the base model Corvette from 2005 to 2006, with the exception of the small GM badge to the lower fender areas (an addition shared across GM’s entire lineup).

Offered as either a coupe or convertible, the base model Corvette was the same as the 2005, with a 6.0L LS2 V8 making 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.  The 2006 Corvette is capable of dashing form 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds, running a standing quarter mile in the high 12 second range and reaching 0.96g on a 200 foot skidpad.  2006 Corvettes equipped with the LS2 were available with either a manual or automatic transmission and with a great deal of attention paid to the internal workings of the automatic transmission, very little performance is lost between the manually and automatically shifted 2006 Corvettes.

The only significant news for the Corvette in 2006 was the return of the Z06 trimline.  This high performance package was based around the new 7.0L (427 cubic inches) LS7 engine, offering a whopping 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.  That amount of power allowed the folks at Car and Driver to rip through the quarter mile in an impressive 11.8 seconds with a trap speed of 122 miles per hour and with a top speed of nearly 200 miles per hour, the 2006 Corvette Z06 was easily the quickest and fastest Corvette ever offered.  The Z06 features a dry-sump lubrication system and improved cooling system to help keep the LS7 cool and oiled under all sorts of driving conditions.

The Z06 was not just a base Corvette with a big engine.  General Motors fitted the Z06 with an magnesium engine cradle to reduce weight, resulting in a weight of just 3180 pounds.  The suspension was completely modified to turn the 2006 base model Corvette into a race-ready model and an increased brake package helps the 2006 Z06 handle the hard turns.