First Test: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
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.
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00:00 (car engine revving)
00:03 (car engine revving)
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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)