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Today’s top of the Corvette lineup is the ZO6. Five-hundred-five horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque from its 7.0L V8 engine. Brembo brakes with red painted calipers showing conspicuously through its spoked 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels. This car is the ultimate of the boy racer set. Put on your gold chains and let’s go!

After months of waiting, the fine folks at Chevrolet finally got us a ZO6 for three days of evaluation. We had been on the list four times before, but apparently Southern California journalists don’t know how to drive a car with 505HP and kept pranging the thing. Finally, out of the repair shop (or is it an all new car?), we got our chance at the ZO6.

Clearly, the C6 Corvette is the best ‘Vette ever. Even the package is better. While Corvettes have never been the easiest cars to get into and out of, this one is reasonably easy. Fall into the car. Sit inches from the ground. Study the lug nuts of the Peterbilt in the next lane. Crawl out. No problem. Visibility is OK with the prominent front fender arches showing where the front end of the car is. Much more solid than ever before, and with a reasonably supple ride even in its most aggressive configuration, it does not require a kidney belt to drive it.
On the downside, the ZO6 has a typical Corvette interior that still comes across more like an economy car that costs $70,000 MSRP. The materials just aren’t there. The finesse isn’t there. The steering wheel is uninspired. With the newest models to come out of GM getting great interiors it will be the Corvette’s turn next time around. It really needs an upscale, still sporty interior with all the latest bells and whistles.

But driving the ZO6 is where it is at, right? A bit of practice is required to launch the car from 1st gear without a bit of a shudder. Flick through 2nd and then hit 3rd. YEEEEEEEEEEEHAW!!!!!!!!!!. That 3rd gear is a beauty. Keeps you pressed back against the seat forever. When you decide you have had enough, the Brembo brakes pull the car down with confidence. Compared with a 2006 ZO6 we drove last year at the inaugural meeting of the Flying Bull Auto Writers Club at the former El Toro Marine Air Station subtle changes in the ’07 model is much more “of a piece”.
But, frankly, we wouldn’t want to live with it every day. The ZO6 is a thrill to drive, but as a daily driver, the consensus around VehicleVoice and AutoPacific is that we’d take a regular ol’ C6 Corvette. Sure, we’d option it up, but stop short of the GO FAST ZO6.

But, how about this for a concept? Take the ZO6 as base. Make a shiftable automatic available. Spend $5,000 more on the interior and increase the price by $15,000. This would make the ZO6 into a car you could drive every day AND earn an even more tidy profit for the folks at Chevrolet.