Skip to main content
HOME   |   ABOUT   |   NEWS   |   TECH ARTICLES   |   AT THE TRACK   |   REVIEWS   |   VIDEOS   |   CONTACT ME

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Test Numbers

Image
By



This isn't "A Closer Look". I don't have a second opinion, criticism or a different view. I simply have to include the performance numbers of a new Corvette Z06. Especially when they're blistering. 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds. 3 seconds flat. From a front (mid) engine, RWD car with a starting price under $80,000. With a manual, this number drops to 3.2 seconds. The full acceleration numbers are:

0-30 mph (auto/manual): 1.3 sec/1.5 sec
0-40 mph (auto/manual): 1.7 sec/2.1 sec
0-50 mph (auto/manual): 2.3 sec/2.6 sec
0-60 mph (auto/manual): 3.0 sec/3.2 sec
0-70 mph (auto/manual): 3.8 sec/4.1 sec
0-80 mph (auto/manual): 4.7 sec/4.9 sec
0-90 mph (auto/manual): 5.6 sec/5.9 sec
0-100 mph (auto/manual): 6.8 sec/7.2 sec
1/4 mile (auto/manual): 11.1 sec @ 127 mph/11.3 sec @ 126 mph




It is worth mentioning that the numbers were recorded by different sources. Car and Driver tested the automatic and Motor Trend tested the manual but the gap makes sense so take that for what it's worth. Handling shouldn't be different between the manual and the auto. Braking from 60 mph to 0 took just 91 ft. Braking from 70 mph took 128 ft. That's just mind boggling compared to cars either magazine have been testing.

Motor Trend got 94 ft from 60 mph from a Porsche 918 Spyder. Average lateral g was 1.12 g for the 918 Spyder. For the Z06? 1.16 g. The only handling number that's lower for the Corvette is Motor Trend's figure eight which was 22.2 sec @ 1.06 g average for the 918 Spyder and 22.5 sec @ 0.98 g average. Remember, though, the Porsche has a 237 hp advantage. Randy Pobst said that the Corvette's chassis could use another 100 hp. With another hp, you can look for that figure eight to be even tighter. Still, the 22.5 sec time makes it the second fastest ever, only after the hyper fast 918 Spyder. 




The reviews from both magazines are filled with comments about it being incredibly fast, stable, and easy to drive. It comes with an automatic. It comes as a convertible without a performance penalty. For a purist, that's blasphemy. But as an accomplishment, it's astonishing. 

The only thing you could complain about is that it weighs 3,533 lb which is nudging 4 seater territory of this caliber but how can you complain when the numbers are that fast? I have recently learned that an electronic differential can be over 60 lb heavier than a Torsen limited slip differential because of all the clutches and motors (Source: Car and Driver on the Lexus RC F). Chevy also says that, with the third stage aero package, it produces more downforce than any other car they have ever tested including Porsche 911 Turbo S, Ferrari 458 and McLaren 12C and I'm sure the aero components add a few pounds. I would like it, though, if GM did a more focused version without the luxuries like heated and cooled seats, WiFi, and many others that I'm sure the Vette has.

The standard Corvette with the Z51 package already stunned me at Car and Driver's Lightning Lap 2014 with a lap time of just 2:53.8. I have no doubt that this car will be well within the 2:40's at next year's Lightning Lap, probably with a lap time in the 2:45 to 2:48 range. I can't wait to see it. Ford cannot come back with a new Ford GT soon enough! For full test reviews, here are links to tests done by Motor Trend (manual) and Car and Driver (auto).


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment






Does An Aftermarket Grille Really Increase Airflow?
I put a Saleen S281 grille to the test to answer that question.

Stock Suspension S197 Mustang With Square 305/30/19's
What you need to fit a proper size square tire setup.

How Limited Slip Diffs Make You Faster on Track
What you need to know about how they put power down and pros and cons.

Can Telemetry Explain Schumacher's Talent?
A comparison between Schumacher's and then team mate Herbert's data.





Cayman GT4 Track Review
The first Cayman with proper (911-challenging) power.

Is an EcoBoost Mustang any good on Track?
Two days at the track in a Mustang short 4 cylinders.

2016 BMW M4 DCT Track Review
It's quick (properly quick). But is it fun?

Can a stock Golf Diesel handle a Track Day?
Not your every day track beater.



🔥 Most Visited This Week

Falken Azenis RT615k+ Street and Track Review

By
Last year, I picked up a 2009 Lancer Ralliart to do a long term test with it as a dual duty track/daily. One of the first things I knew I was going to do was put a decent set of tires on it. The car came without OEM wheels which was actually good because I didn't have to hesitate about getting a good set of aftermarket wheels to support going wider. Thankfully, my friends at YST Auto Halifax  set me up with a great set of Superspeed RF03RR wheels. The Wheels I had never even heard of Superspeed but I trusted the good folk at YST Auto who mentioned some customer cars running on track with them. These wheels are rotary forged which is basically a prerequisite to be taken seriously in this market populated by companies like TSW and Fast Wheels. The wheels looked like a high quality, well finished wheel and each had a "QC" check sticker on. Just for appearances? Maybe, but I found no defects. The wheels seemed easy to balance (didn't need many weights) and at 18.1 lb. f
5 comments
Read more

Limited Slip Differential Types Compared

By
BMW M2 equipped with an eLSD - BMW © A few weeks ago, I posted about traditional clutch-type limited slip diffs (LSD's) and how they work. You can read about those in the previous post: How Limited Slip Diffs Make You Faster on Track . But as you might know or have learned from reading the article, they aren't without their faults, which means engineers are always working to get around those limitations. You may not be surprised to learn that something like the Ferrari 488 GTB doesn't use a traditional limited slip diff, but it's not limited to super cars, far from it. Cars like the Golf GTI, the Civic Type R, various Mustangs, Corvettes, and BMW M cars, and even the Lexus RC F and GS F, all avoid a traditional limited slip diff in favour of one of these technologies. To keep things simple, I'll focus on two wheel drive vehicles. The vast (vast) majority of principles apply to all and 4 wheel drive vehicles, but there are some subtle differences that I'll
1 comment
Read more

Limited Slip Differentials - The Basics

By
I'm finishing up a comparison post (link to introduction: Intro: Focus RS vs Golf R vs WRX STI vs Evo X ) and, throughout the post, I realized that I have to go off topic a lot to talk about how each type of differential changes the way the car drives. As a result, I thought I'd write a separate post to go into more detail before I post the comparison to keep it more focused on the cars and avoid veering off topic too much. By saying "Limited Slip Differentials" in the title, I am including torque vectoring diffs because, although current conventional terminology treats them differently, a torque vectoring differential is, in essence, a very sophisticated limited slip diff (LSD) that can be manipulated to actively help the car handle better. And while none of the cars in the comparison use open (without help from the brakes) or non-gear mechanical LSD’s, I’ll briefly discuss them so that the post is more inclusive. I’ll only focus on using power to help the
3 comments
Read more

Michelin Pilot Super Sports vs Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 - Street Review

By
I've been a huge fan of Michelin PSS tires and exclusively bought them for the Mustang over the last four years. So how did I end up here? This year, I was hugely interested in trying an "R-comp" tire. I had my eyes set on Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R's for two simple reasons: price and reputation. Although not a true "R-comp" tire on paper, it performs like one by the account of every single test and review I've read (down to wear rates...). They seem like they're easily the most affordable (from a big brand) R-comp tire and combine that with a reputation for having tons of grip, it was an easy top contender. I had my concerns, though. For one, I'm told and have read that they are an autox tire, not really designed for high speed, pressure, and temps associated with open track. For another, the Mustang is a heavy car (as far as track cars are concerned) being roughly 3,800 lb. (including driver), which will amplify the unwanted open track load
6 comments
Read more