[elegant]

Seeing/standing next to the Z06 today repeated my "pulse-quickening high school crushes" with the beautiful new girl I just met. I just couldn't take my eyes off of her. Literally spent hours and hours walking round and round, looking at her different parts, her beautiful shapes and angles. Found myself starring at a particular part or view.

Form follows function, and that is clearly evident in the Z06. Staring at the rocker panels, or side splitters if you prefer, I noticed that they were not of uniform front-to-back depth, additionally having cuts and angles. GM learned from their "largest wind tunnel in the world," that they could taper to the rear without sacrificing aerodynamic advantage, and at the same gaining both easy of entry and exit (don't stick out as much), and also reducing weight by a few ounces. You can see and feel "form follows function" as you stare at every part and shape of the car.

And I wasn't alone in this thinking and feeling. Today, Autoweek's editors declared the 2015 Z06 Corvette, the North American Auto Show "Best In Show." Here's what they wrote, with more of my impressions after this short article:

Simply put, the Corvette Z06 is incredible. Chevy's claiming at least 625 hp from its 6.2-liter supercharged small-block. The engine is called LT4 and produces 635 lb-ft of torque to go along with the monster horsepower. The LT4 has a new 1.7-liter Eaton supercharger; it only adds an inch to engine height and Chevrolet says the Z06 is recording lap times faster than the outgoing ZR1. The Z06 uses the standard Stingray's aluminum structure. For the Z06, bodywork has been modified for more speed, downforce and stability, and you'll also have the option to upgrade to a carbon fiber aero package with a new front splitter, rocker panels and a larger rear spoiler. Not enough? There's a Z07 performance package with larger winglets for the front splitter and an adjustable center section for the rear spoiler. Other body changes include a reworked front fascia to cool the supercharger's intercooler; both front and rear brakes benefit from cooling vents; and since 50 percent more air is directed toward the transmission and differential, the rear fascia has larger openings. Two-piece steel brake rotors are standard, carbon-ceramic rotors optional. Michelin Pilot Sports tires are standard, and the fenders have been widened more than 2 inches in front and more than 3 inches in the rear to accommodate the new rubber. Suspension is carried over from the Stingray, calibrated for the performance increase and Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard. So is the electronic limited-slip diff. Since last year's Stingray debut, we've been holding our breath for the Z06. Next up? Driving it, of course. From what we can tell so far, we won't be disappointed.

Others considered: None

We have all stood and looked at a regular C6 with a GrandSport parked next to it. The visual differences between the those C6's are repeated in the visual differences between a 2014 StingRay and the 2015 Z06. You have the much wider stance with its bigger fenders, etc. The 2014 StingRay -- the most decorated car this last year, is a phenomenal automobile, a striking, beautiful car. The 2015 Z06 could be also described using those words. However, I didn't heard the word beautiful, nor the word striking, nor similar words today. The word I most overheard others use at the show today -- and at least 90% of attendees which were not Corvette owners, was powerful. Other words and phrases I repeatedly overheard were, "killer, mean, awesome, or bad," and the phrase I heard more than a few times was that it is a "race car with a license plate."

Also realized that while the new girl in school was mesmerizing, that, just as the day before, there were other beautiful ones at StingRay High School. Found myself also returning to the five 2014 StingRays that GM brought, two fantastic convertibles and three coupes. Everyone there was getting in and out of those cars, gawking and staring, both at the inside and the outsides. Had a chance to sit in both the GT and the Comp seats for signficant time, and concluded, for me, that I will be happily staying with the standard GT seats. If you want the reasons for my seat choice, see this thread, post # 46: http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum...cussions/1830-living-competition-seats-5.html

It was a powerfully wonderful day, reflecting the awesome presence of the new girl 2015 Z06, and also enjoying the beauty and excellence of the rest of the StingRay class of 2014.

I am going to ask the new girl for a date.

 

[glen e]

I realize all the electricity was about the the Z06...but for the other 98% of the corvette story, what changes/impressions did you get about the base/z51 model that the majority of us will buy buy/own for 2015?

John - please give us another thread on that if possible.....

 

[jsvette]

Well written Elegant - nice to 'see' it through your eyes! Thanks.

 

[elegant]

In answer to glen e's request above, GM's did not being any 2015 coupes, convertibles -- Z51's or otherwise, to the show, and the only known '15 differences yet are the optional PDR and the standard internet/ap capability.

 

[glen e]

In answer to glen e's request above, GM's did not being any 2015 coupes, convertibles -- Z51's or otherwise, to the show, and the only known '15 differences yet are the optional PDR and the standard internet/ap capability.

wow!

very surprising.....

 

[Chip]

wow!

very surprising.....

When everybody is there to see Ozzy, nobody is interested in seeing Sharon.

 

[Soho]

When everybody is there to see Ozzy, nobody is interested in seeing Sharon.

HaHa nice...

 

[Rfong]

Very nicely presented John. You spin a good story. But unlike girlfriends, cars don't talk back and you can trade them in!

 

[Soho]

Very nicely presented John. You spin a good story. But unlike girlfriends, cars don't talk back and you can trade them in!

You can trade girlfriends in too

 

[longhornstingray33]

You can trade girlfriends in too

Especially if they talk back!!