In celebration of Chevrolet's 100th birthday, the company has launched the Centennial Edition Corvette, which receives better seats, a better steering wheel, nicer interior appointments, and a special paint and graphics package, most of which will become standard on all Corvettes. The Z06 model is the track-oriented performer of the lineup with a massive, naturally aspirated V-8 and track-tuned suspension. The optional Z07 performance package on our test model adds adjustable magnetic shock absorbers, carbon-ceramic brakes, additional cooling capacity, some carbon-fiber bodywork, and optional barely street-legal race-compound tires.
RANDY POBST'S IMPRESSIONS
On handling... "Like Corvettes have for years, the steering does react quickly, the initial turn-in. But then there's the movement in the springs and shocks, and then after that there's some kind of movement that might be bushings. Almost like there's a little toe steer or something. With these tires, it's controlled. And on the stock, street-type tires, it's not so much and it's a lot harder to keep a hold on it. I mean, I could be deep in a corner and it's all loaded up and I'm going for some power...and I feel the rear change attitude a little bit. Which might be something like bushing flex, 'cause it happens so late in the corner, so late in the entry, kinda in the middle when everything's really loaded up. It's a lot more fun to drive on these tires. I mean, they're track tires for a reason. It's just that I'm used to cars with this kind of power wanting to snap loose and definitely the Corvette wanting to snap loose. It was such a beast when we tested it at Willow Springs on regular street tires. Well, now it's got the grip for its capabilities. It's a whole 'nother animal. But, kinda soft, in all ways."
On the transmission... "I actually needed a lower gear in the turn 11 hairpin. I could give it everything it had pretty much in second gear. I got a little drift, but even when it hooked up, it wasn't on the power band; it wasn't really boiling yet. The car's geared really high. I barely needed fourth gear. I went ahead and used it a couple times 'cause I knew it was getting close and tickling it, and I didn't wanna tap the limiter. I started using second gear in turn 2, in turn 3, even turn 3, and it got a good run out of there; it had plenty of gear for it. Manual shifting gearboxes, I hate to say this, they're starting to feel like such antiques. I enjoy the experience, but it feels like an anachronism now, like a throwback to the old days."
On the brakes... "It stopped really well, but the pedal had kinda long travel. I stepped deep down into it and it just kept braking harder, braking hard. Extremely capable car. The brakes started to go away on the second lap, so they're not going to take much track work on these tires, I'll tell you that. Those brakes are enormous; it's hard to imagine that they would've been fading, but that's what it felt like. Carbon's not supposed to be able to fade, right? So maybe there's something else going on. Fluid getting hot enough to boil maybe? Maybe these new pads are still getting broken in and they're fading. 'Cause I know that can happen with brand-new pads."
On the seats... "I had this conscious feeling of the seat being soft, just kind of squishing around in the seat."
On the engine... "Fabulous engine. Broad torque curve and high RPM power, a pushrod miracle. The power curve is very useable, no surprises. Revs out, makes those good American noises."
Overall... "I'll tell you what, much easier car to drive on R-compound tires. I felt like the car was really fast. It was generating a lot of grip. The Corvette is far better on this tire. It can handle the power. It kinda felt a little bit soft, which makes you feel a little bit...dull around the edges. There's less precision in the movements than other cars here."
TURN NOTES
Turn 2: "Long brake pedal, super short stop, some dive. Typical 'Vette, lightning-fast turn-in and soft, roll-y feel, but lots of grip. Balanced mid-corner, you feel pushed deep into the seat."
Turn 6: "Snapped loose once when I held the brake a little too long. Soft suspension really soaks up bumps -- big bumps at apex no problem. Pulls hard uphill."
Turn 9: "Turns quickly, precisely. Lots of body motion, but stayed hooked-up and balanced."
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