First Test: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

MotorTrend

We find out that fitting a set of R-compound rubber onto a Corvette Z06 is a good way to end up in an argument with the laws of physics.

Transcript

00:00 (car engine revving)

00:03 (car engine revving)

00:06 (car engine revving)

00:33 - Recently, we were lent a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

00:38 3ZR Centennial Edition,

00:40 equipped with the Z07 Performance Pack.

00:43 What does all this mean?

00:45 Well, the 3ZR designates the highest normal trim package,

00:48 including a premium bow stereo,

00:50 heated leather sport seats

00:52 with adjustable lumbar support and bolsters,

00:55 and a special interior package

00:56 which covers much of the cabin in leather.

00:59 The Centennial Edition option adds plenty of references

01:02 to Chevrolet's 100th birthday,

01:04 but what really makes this vet something special

01:06 is the Z07 Ultimate Performance Package,

01:09 consisting of Brembo carbon ceramic brakes,

01:12 two-mode magnetic ride dampers,

01:14 and the full carbon package aerodynamic add-ons.

01:17 Now, savvy viewers may recall that earlier this year,

01:20 we tested a nearly identical 2011 Corvette Z06.

01:25 The big difference here comes with the tires.

01:28 This car features the newly available

01:30 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires.

01:33 With a tread wear rating of just 86

01:36 and a near-slick tread pattern,

01:37 expectations were high,

01:39 and the Sport Cups did not disappoint.

01:41 With those wide, gooey Michelins warmed up,

01:47 this thing gripped our test track

01:49 with the tenacity of chewing gum on a warm summer's day.

01:52 Enveloping the asphalt in damn-near race-spec,

01:55 barely-dot-legal, play-it-doesn't-rain type rubber.

01:59 When all is said and done,

02:00 we got a time around our figure eight

02:02 of just 22.8 seconds at 0.98 average G.

02:07 That's the fastest time we've ever recorded

02:09 with a production car,

02:11 narrowly beating out that 2011 Corvette Z06

02:15 we tested several months back.

02:17 Besting the 2011 car by 0.05 G,

02:22 the 2012 pulled a 1.13 average G around our skid pad.

02:27 Of course, those Michelins helped more

02:29 than just on the figure eight runs.

02:31 They also helped enable a 60 to zero braking distance

02:33 of just 94 feet,

02:35 but ran an identical zero to 60 time of 3.8 seconds

02:39 and a quarter mile time of 11.9 seconds

02:42 at 122.5 miles per hour.

02:45 One caveat on that acceleration run,

02:49 our associate road test editor claims

02:51 that the time could have been as low as 3.5 seconds

02:54 if it wasn't for gearing that places 60 miles per hour

02:57 right at the top of second.

02:59 Shifting at 60 miles per hour often involved

03:01 bumping the rev limiter before the two three up shift,

03:04 resulting in lower quarter mile acceleration times.

03:07 We decided to optimize quarter mile runs

03:10 at the expense of a slightly lower zero to 60 sprint.

03:13 Say what you will about build quality,

03:16 prestige and curb appeal,

03:18 there's no denying that the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

03:21 is a serious performer at any price.

03:24 The fact that it cost a fraction of the sticker price

03:26 that several of its toughest competitors demand,

03:30 well that's just icing on the cake.

03:32 (rock music)

03:37 (rock music)

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