'VETTE & WILD: Mean, green Z06 goes from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds on less gas

[WalterBellhaven]

PHOENIX -- The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 used to play first chair in the Corvette hierarchy. It's the performance-oriented virtuoso from a powerful family; the ultimate achievement after 50 years of fabulous vehicles.
The upcoming supercharged ZR1 relegates the Z06 to second fiddle for some. They're bowled over by the 620 horses under the ZR1's carbon-fiber hood. Sure, it's 115 more horsepower, but the 505 in the Z06's 7-liter, heart-stopping V-8 is more than most drivers should legally be allowed to handle.

Continues at link:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...802200422/1149

[carscomblogger]

That's a pretty misleading headline. The Z06 is far from green and when you're driving it you're never going to be cruising at 65 mph on the hwy to get the 24 mpg.

I think when I tested it I was getting 12 mpg avg. Of course I was having a lot of "fun" but what owner wouldn't be?

[chakis24]

i read in an article, i cant remember which one, i think it was motortrend maybe?, that gm might require professional driving/racing experience or the passing of a profssional driving course in order to be able to purchase the zr1. if i remember where i read it, ill post it, but i just cant right now for some reason.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by carscomblogger

That's a pretty misleading headline. The Z06 is far from green and when you're driving it you're never going to be cruising at 65 mph on the hwy to get the 24 mpg.

I think when I tested it I was getting 12 mpg avg. Of course I was having a lot of "fun" but what owner wouldn't be?

There is lots of Z06 Vettes here in San Diego. I see them cruising casually on the freeway sometimes below 65 Mph, while everyone is doing 80. Most people who can afford a Z06 are sane enough to only speed at the track.
And its true, the Z06 engine is clean burning and can give you up to 27mpg highway.

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by carscomblogger

That's a pretty misleading headline. The Z06 is far from green and when you're driving it you're never going to be cruising at 65 mph on the hwy to get the 24 mpg.

I think when I tested it I was getting 12 mpg avg. Of course I was having a lot of "fun" but what owner wouldn't be?

Perhaps after you've owned one for a while, you might be able to keep your foot out of
it somewhat. Of course I'd agree with you that it would be difficult to do that however.
Perhaps one tradeoff with the new " Top Dog" ZR1" is that the Z06 might depreciate
a bit more than it has, making it more affordable for Corvette lovers.

[skylark68]

"is more than most drivers should legally be allowed to handle."

I disagree. One should be able to buy any car they can afford. If an auto maker produces it and it's certified to use on U.S. streets, there should be no limitations.

[ogg vorbis]

the article said that it gets the same highway mileage as the lexus 400rh hybrid, driven the same. so either the z06 is green, or the lexus sux.

and it was quoting highway mileage...not average mileage in 'spirited' driving

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Most people who can afford a Z06 are sane enough to only speed at the track.
And its true, the Z06 engine is clean burning and can give you up to 27mpg highway.

Bingo! Yep. As a proud owner of a 2002 Z06 I cruise in the right lane and keep it to the speedlimit when travelling highway. I let the Neons and "riced" out Civics race around between lanes. I know what it can do, so nuthin' to prove. I got that up to 90 mph in nothing flat once, however.

And I can vouch for those mpg numbers. I took a road trip to KC last summer to buy fireworks and get some B-BQ. It was about a 4 hour trip, about 300 miles. And I got there with a half tank left. I averaged 28 mpg according to the DIC, and was sllightly better wihen I calculated by hand. Assuming I drove another 200 miles and got the tank near empty, I might be able to see 30 mpg. Impressive ride through and through, for what you get for the price, and the the fuel economy. And I think GM is capable of squeezing a few more mpg out of the LSx engine considering the current CAFE is 27.5 mpg and the current Z06 comes in at a convenient 28 mpg. I think that is more than conincidence. Point being, a re-tuned LSx engine with higher mpg could get wedged into the Zetas to help them get closer to the new CAFE. I still say consumers of the Zetas would be willing to pay the CAFE penalty.

[hrcslam]

Am I the only one that noticed this guy states that the Lexus has a "two mode" hybrid? What?! I thought 2 mode was GM not Toyota. When did Toyota copy right infringe on GM?

[wtgkb8]

I read an article posted on here one day (not sure which one) of a reviewer in CA that tested a Z06. That person was driving in rush hour and got 16-18 mpg. That person then drove the same stretch of freeway later that night...when they were able to use cruise control at around 70mph...a the car got 30-31mpg!

[ctaylorzl1]

That is one of the better articles I have read latley, to mad most people wont see it. I am not suaprised it get the same mileage as the Lexus Hybrid. Toyota tries to fool people with that monstrosity. If they were really serious about being green they would replace it with a high efficiency V6. I am not Toyota hater in the least, but I hate how everyone thinks the RX 400h is a awesome eco-friendly car, all it is is a big gas sucking V8! But for some reason its OK for Lexus to produce it, but GM Zeta cars???? NO. Either way, good article that shows GM in a positive lite.

[ctaylorzl1]

Originally Posted by hrcslam

Am I the only one that noticed this guy states that the Lexus has a "two mode" hybrid? What?! I thought 2 mode was GM not Toyota. When did Toyota copy right infringe on GM?

They actually had it long before GM did, 1997 I think. But it differs from GM's 2-mode system, but it is still concidered a 2-mode due to its 2 modes of operation. Its called Hybrid Synergy Drive in Toyotas or Lexus Hybrid Drive in Lexus. Its actually kind of cool because the 4WD is electronically powered and when the ICE shuts off(in traffic, or at slow speeds) the air conditioner still runs because the compressor is powered via the electric motors.

Originally Posted by wtgkb8

when they were able to use cruise control at around 70mph...a the car got 30-31mpg!

They might get good mileage, mabey even upper 20's. But I do not believe anyone got 30+!

[SUPERBADD75]

Originally Posted by carscomblogger

That's a pretty misleading headline. The Z06 is far from green and when you're driving it you're never going to be cruising at 65 mph on the hwy to get the 24 mpg.

I think when I tested it I was getting 12 mpg avg. Of course I was having a lot of "fun" but what owner wouldn't be?

he gets to the point here...

That may not make the Z06 the greenest machine on the planet, but its greener than most sub-4-second 0-to-60 mph super or near supercars: The 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo, 15 mpg on the highway; the Maserati Quattroporte, 15 mpg; and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, 15 mpg.

So if you love speed and are passionate about trees, this 'Vette is your best bet.

for what it is, it gets pretty damn good fuel mileage. i think that's what the headline alludes to. it's not about being a competitor to the Prius or anything for sure.

[racy]

Originally Posted by carscomblogger

That's a pretty misleading headline. The Z06 is far from green and when you're driving it you're never going to be cruising at 65 mph on the hwy to get the 24 mpg.

I think when I tested it I was getting 12 mpg avg. Of course I was having a lot of "fun" but what owner wouldn't be?

I am a Vette owner. After a while, racing from stop sight to stop sign gets old. There are many of us with Vettes as our daily driver.

The only thing misleading about the article is the 24 mpg number. Its higher than that, with a modicum of effort.

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

That is one of the better articles I have read latley, to mad most people wont see it. I am not suaprised it get the same mileage as the Lexus Hybrid. Toyota tries to fool people with that monstrosity. If they were really serious about being green they would replace it with a high efficiency V6. I am not Toyota hater in the least, but I hate how everyone thinks the RX 400h is a awesome eco-friendly car, all it is is a big gas sucking V8! But for some reason its OK for Lexus to produce it, but GM Zeta cars???? NO. Either way, good article that shows GM in a positive lite.

RX? No that's a gas sucking V6. It shares drivetrain/platform with Highlander Hybrid.