2001
ICOTY Awards - Sports Car
Most
Sex Appeal: Corvette Z06
Just
when you thought the Chevrolet Corvette couldn’t get
any sexier, any cooler, or any faster, the insatiable folks
at the Bowling Green, Kentucky, plant have rolled out an
even hotter version of America’s longtime favorite
sports car that is sure to scorch its own page in the automotive
history books. Dubbed the Z06, this new ‘Vette is only
available as a hardtop—sorry, targa roof and convertible
fans. Nonetheless, the Z06 looks relatively innocuous (as
far as Corvettes go), with its only visual differences being
a side vent aft of the door, mesh in the front air dam and
some serious looking dark gray wheels that hold enough rubber
for three Cavaliers.
And
the Z06 needs all the rubber it can get, too, to keep the
tires from melting under the engine’s 385 horsepower,
40 more than lesser Corvettes and way more than any sensible
person needs. But then again, the Corvette Z06 is not a
sensible purchase (and may it never be!). It’s low,
imposing and anything but practical. Its high-contrast interior
(usually rendered in black and red) borders on garish. And
although only two people can enjoy this $52,000 ride at
a time (that’s more than $26,000 per seat!), none of
that matters. Because once you turn the key, listen to the
engine growl, shift it into first and step on the gas, any
concerns of cost, space or anything else sensible is promptly
left in the dust. For
more on Corvette Z06 directly from Chevy!
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