about Z06 vs european cars (old thread)

[z06socool]

Hello everyone,

on an unrelated search I found this old thread on your site talking about the performance of the corvette Z06 vs. 360 modena vs. Porsche (GT2/3).

if anyone still cares, and I was pleased to see that you guys were fact oriented, the latest press release from GM on the new 2004 Z06 was:

"While the Z06 already had an excellent blend of extreme handling capability and surprising ride quality, we're never satisfied," Hill says. "The enhancements for 2004 provide a bit more poised and smooth response, connecting the car better to the driver's input, without the penalty of ride harshness."

These refinements are a result of extensive testing and development, including several high-speed test sessions at Germany's famed Nurburgring circuit. Corvette Z06 is one of only a precious few cars to have broken the 8-minute barrier for lap times at Nurburgring. Corvette testing at Nurburgring isn't just about raw speed, as the Z06 provides plenty of that. Engineers gathered important learning on tuning the chassis to enhance the poise, confidence and smoothness of response, attributes that are of great importance under the severe demands of a 14-mile course that has approximately 170 turns and virtually constant elevation changes.

"Nurburgring, at the extreme edge of the envelope, provides conditions that can't be easily duplicated anywhere else," says Hill. "But, even for the Z06, we spend considerable time ensuring we don't make adjustments that compromise the normal daily driving character of the car."

As far as I know the GT2 and GT3 hold the records for first and second on this track at 7min 42 sec or so and 7min 50sec or so respectively. Now I do not know what was the time for the Z, but I would be ready to speculate that it was around 7min 55 sec or so. Not too bad for a car that is only good in straight line, no?

No flame intended here. I just wanted to bring these facts to your attention. Oh, I own a 2003 Z06 and have driven quite a few times the 360 Modena. There is no comparison between the two cars. I love them both for very different reasons. I love the Z more because I can afford it!

Cheers.

[FYRHWK1]

I believe the official time is 7:56, as leaked by some GM PR people and posted on the z06vette.com website, I believe (not flaming) that someone brought this up though, just in case any assholes com in here giving you trouble, good info either way.

[z06socool]

Thanks for the feedback. Like I said, after finding this old thread while browsing the net, I thought I would only bring some clarifications. BTW, you are right, the info came from z06vette.com (I am a member there).

I would love to own one of the new GT3 however it is a little bit out of my league (for the time being)

Cheers

[NISSANSPDR]

Porsche 911 GT2....wow...462HP and capable of 196 mph

Hehe...

[flylwsi]

with 60 less hp, isn't the zo6 right up there?
190ish, i think...

so add 60hp to a zo6 and break 200? hmm...

[FYRHWK1]

Originally posted by flylwsi
with 60 less hp, isn't the zo6 right up there?
190ish, i think...

so add 60hp to a zo6 and break 200? hmm...

Essentially, the Z06 is rev limited, topspeed of 172 is reached in 55th and 6th is simply a gas gear, its far too wide for even a Z06 to pull in above 170 MPH, .50:1 so less then half of the engines torque is making it to the wheels. If 6th were regeared it has the Cd numbers and power to go much higher then its current topend, but who cares? nobody needs more then ~150 in a car like this, and THAT would need a wide open track like mulsanne to reach.

[z06socool]

I think that I would not mind having a stronger 6th gear in my Z. I would love to know that I could go to 200mph+, even though I would probably never get there ever!

I agree that I rarely go over 130-140mph on an open road. The only time I reach these kind of speed is on short burst and immediately shut down.

In the four years that I owned a Corvette, the only time I reached 150mph was in a 99 FRC! not even in the Z did I ever had the chance to do that safely

I am probably going to a track later this year to do my car justice and find out more about its great racing characteristics.

[YogsVR4]

I'm impressed. I didn't realize the Vette ran so well on the track.

[z06socool]

YOGSVR4

Not only they are track-ready cars essentially right of the dealership, but you can comfortably cruise around as well.

I am from Europe, so believe me I know what top end sport cars are like. I nearly drove them all. My friends make fun of me when I tell them how amazing the Z06 is. Most of them, if not all of them that I let drive it changed their minds.

Not to get a long winded reply, but most people who say bad things about the Z have generally never driven it. I am aware that it is certainly not the best car around on many aspects, but I can only say that since I have one, every day I drive, it is a real pleasure. I had a prepped Audi S4 before, and no matter how fast it was, the rush factor was not as intense as in the Z...