2007 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Fast and Faster

The Chevrolet Corvette remains a force to be reckoned with, especially the top, 500-plus-hp Z06.

The basic formula remains the same for the venerable Chevrolet Corvette: high performance and handling in a stylish package that offers reasonable comfort at a (relatively) affordable price.

The Corvette was last redesigned in 2005 for its sixth generation since the original version premiered in 1953. Chevy added a higher-performance Z06 version in 2006.

The two-seat Chevrolet Corvette Coupe comes with a removable, body-color roof panel. A transparent panel is optional. The higher-performance Z06 variant has a fixed roof. The standard version is also offered as a convertible (reviewed separately).

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The present Corvette’s basic exterior styling is a refinement of, not a radical departure from, the previous generation. It is the first Corvette since 1962 to feature exposed, rather than flip-up, headlamps. The present car also has high-intensity, Xenon-discharge bulbs, which cast a dazzling, bluish light.

The current model is the most aerodynamically efficient Corvette ever, generating more aerodynamic downforce than before to enhance high-speed stability. The interior features aluminum accents and makes bold use of color. It's also roomier and affords easier entry and exit than that of previous models.

But looks aren’t everything in the sports-car market, and fortunately the Chevrolet Corvette delivers earth-shaking performance. The car’s 6.0-liter small-block V8, code-named LS2, delivers 400 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque, making it the largest and most powerful small-block ever offered in a standard Corvette.

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A six-speed manual transmission is standard. An electronically controlled, six-speed automatic transmission is optional. It has three modes: Drive, which has predetermined shift points designed for smoothness; Sport, which automatically optimizes shift points for aggressive driving; and Paddle Shift, which allows drivers to select gears manually with steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

Despite its explosive power, the LS2 engine remains relatively fuel efficient. Chevrolet says that the standard Corvette is the first 400-hp production vehicle not to get slapped with a federal gas-guzzler tax. (By contrast, you’ll have to pay Uncle Sam an extra $3,000 for the privilege of owning a Dodge Viper.)

If that’s not enough muscle for you, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe includes a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8 engine, code-named LS7. It can reach 60 mph in less than four seconds (and in first gear, no less). Top speed is 198 mph. The LS7 also includes a dry-sump lubrication system that’s designed to keep engine oil fully circulating throughout, even during the most extreme high-speed cornering maneuvers. A beefed-up version of the six-speed manual is the only gearbox offered with the Z06. A distinctive front fascia, functional hood scoop and rear spoiler cosmetically distinguish the Z06 from the rest of the line.

Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Vehicle Summary

The Chevrolet Corvette tenaciously holds the road through corners with the assistance of a four-wheel independent suspension, featuring run-flat, high-performance tires in the front and slightly larger wheels at the rear. All-speed traction control, which actively aids handling and stability, and four-wheel disc antilock brakes are welcome standard safety measures to help tame any unruly behavior. Run-flat tires allow a driver with a flat to keep going at a reduced speed to find a safe place to pull off the road, or if they’re lucky, to reach a facility where the tire and/or wheel can be fixed, or more likely, replaced.

The Z06 includes upgrades to the wheels and tires, chassis, braking, suspension and exhaust, for added levels of performance. To that end, the battery has been moved from under the hood to the rear of the vehicle for better front-to-rear weight distribution.

An optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control system — variations of which are used on a number of GM products — uses shock absorbers filled with oil infused with metal shavings. An adjustable electromagnetic field reacts with the metal in the fluid to stiffen or dampen the shock absorbers in relation to road surface. The process is constantly measured by special sensors.

This ingenious system further improves the already aggressive handling, or conversely can maintain a smooth ride, based on settings the driver chooses. Hardcore enthusiasts can also opt for a Performance Handling Package, code-named Z51, on the base version that includes even beefier suspension components and brakes, as well as more-aggressive gear and axle ratios, among other items. These all work to sharpen the handling, at the expense of a rougher ride.

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Other available high-tech features include a reconfigurable head-up display that projects various readouts onto the windshield in the driver’s line of sight. It is part of the so-called 3LT equipment package on the base model. There is also a voice-operated satellite navigation system that can be ordered on top of the 3LT package. The navigation system is also offered as a stand-alone item on the Z06 variant. A keyless access system with push-button starter is standard.