(Pics added) C7 Z51 in new Motor Trend: Refined Tuning
 

I'll cut to the their numbers which are below. Overall a pretty good article. Sorry if this is a repost.

1.11 g
3.9 sec 0-60 mph
12.2 @117 mph 1/4 mile
60-0 mph braking 104 ft

Here's the cover (see other posts for complete article)
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps471e219d.jpg

Damn! 1.11gs'?!?!

They promised us a car that could pull one G but come on - what a bunch of over achievers :)

Braking 60-0 mph was 104 ft.

The 1/4 mile is a bit weak, right?? GM quoted 12 flat @ 119mph. I know there might be margins to adjust due to elevation/temp/etc. but I was really looking for 11.9ish @ 120 or better...

impressive. any pics from the mag?

Wow, those specs are pretty amazing. Very cool.

What?!!! What?!!! What?!!! Mags out already? I thought it would be next week at the earliest...please give us more! Thanks for the post!

I receive it via e-subscription and it's hard to copy and save the pics. It's the cover article for the Sept issue of Motor Trend with a full 7 page article with the test drive and technical highlights.

I'll probably go ahead and order the mag tonight on my ipad then. Interested in reading the article

Ok then, could you tell us what they said about the handling, steering, seats and overall quality? Maybe if they said anything about how it compares to other cars, ie 911 and Caymans, etc?

The article's theme is how easy the C7 is to drive hard and comparing the different aspects to the C6.

- Test price was $68K so it a loaded Z51 with the NPP exhaust, MRC (gushed about this) and carbon fiber interior. They wrote favorably about all of those.
- they complimented the GT seats and noted they're much better compared to the C6 seats. They did mention the upcoming Recaro's are better suited for track use and not for long distance trips.
- There's a whole page for the interior highlighting the dial a mode suspension which allows you to create your own driving modes by combining the different PTM's, etc.
- The HUD and dash color displays look to be hd and easy to read.
- Big improvement on the tunnel heat compared to the C6.
- Ride quality is exceptional even with the roof removed.

Best quote of the article:

"The magical result is quite simply the easiest Corvette yet to thrash hard. and yes, it does so without emasculating the car or making it feel anodyne, while preserving its essential Corvetteness."

I wouldn't sweat it, it's .3 quicker and 2mph faster than a recently tested '12 Grand Sport. Lots more data will be coming in over the next few weeks.
:cheers:
S.

:iagree::cry

:lurk:

Be interesting to see if the other mags get the same results. Guessing not only the course, wind, elevation but also the actual test driver are going to have some impact.

This is great. I can't wait for the first C7 vs 911 comparison. Think I will down load this article when I get home from work. Thanks for posting.

BLKTA, you are the hero for the week!

I'm very curious what they said about the handling. How is the handling/steering better or worse? How about the tires? Did they test only the Z51? Where did they test it?

well, remember 1.1 g's is not what it used to be...

on good hoosiers a C6z will see 1.49+ g's on good concrete. (any kind of banking of course sends those numbers up.

even on old normal daily driver tires will see 1.2 or more even on flat asphalt).

Just depends on conditions, track, etc. I expect that is a pretty good number for the small tires they are running.