I just spent a solid hour with this 'Vette at Mid-Field Raceway, and while I went into the experience with feelings of excitement and confidence, I came out of it with feelings of disappointment and frustration. Let me explain...
Understeer. You're going to see a lot of it. With a weight distribution of 53/47, the Z06 could use some more weight in the back. It has quick and sharp turn-in abilities, but can't hold the line whether you're on the gas or not. The only time I kicked the back end out was in slow, tight corners when the sheer amount of torque helped shimmy the car towards the apex.
Z06 means business in a straight line. A maximum speed of 150 mph on the front straight is certainly nothing to scoff at. Overall, the Z06 feels like a muscle car for the 21st century. Not a supercar by any means, and not a sports car because it can't corner at least as well as it can accelerate. I hear things are different for the C6 and C7 versions. Maybe they worked out the kinks 💡
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5) '00
378 hp / 6,000 rpm
358 ft-lb / 5,000 rpm
1,409 kg (3,106 lbs)
Cars within 0.500 seconds:
1:19.452 - 522 - Ferrari California '08
1:19.454 - 558 - Ford Shelby GT500 '13
1:19.460 - 477 - Opera Performance S2000 '04
1:19.461 - 526 - RUF CTR "Yellow Bird" '87
1:19.475 - 516 - SRT Viper GTS '02
1:19.551 - 512 - Mine's Lancer Evolution VI '00
1:19.573 - 497 - BMW M3 GTR '03
1:19.593 - 486 - Shelby Series One Supercharged '03
1:19.598 - 513 - BMW M5 '08
1:19.612 - 521 - Aston Martin V12 Vantage '10
1:19.743 - 493 - Lotus Esprit Sport 350 '00
1:19.880 - 490 - BMW M3 CSL '03
1:19.885 - 531 - High End Performance G37
1:19.890 - 483 - Spoon S2000 Race Car '00
1:19.894 - 500 - TVR Tuscan Speed 6 '00
1:19.900 - 497 - TVR Tamora '02
1:19.952 - 504 - Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5) '00
1:19.989 - 500 - Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione '08
1:20.207 - 474 - Mazda RX500 '70
1:20.404 - 483 - Oullim Motors Spirra Prototype '04
1:20.418 - 482 - Lotus Esprit V8 '02
1:20.423 - 488 - Mitsubishi CZ-3 Tarmac Rally Car
Both the TVR Tamora and especially the Tuscan Speed 6 are prime targets for this car. Perhaps the Lotus Esprit's as well. The Viper '02 is half a second quicker.
I wanted to like the Z06, but its understeer quality in stock form just ruins the car for me. It needed more oversteer dialed in. With upgraded suspension, this car would be a dream to drive. As it stands, BEATER