2006 Chevrolet Corvette Review Summary & Specs
Base Coupe
A supercar bargain for the ages.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The 2006 Chevrolet Corvette is the best ever. It's easier to live with, easier to drive and more fun than past models. Of course, it should be. More to the point, it offers an excellent performance value when measured against other sports cars, and generates many grins per mile. The new Z06 raises the ante a good $20,000, but it borders on amazing. Its performance meets or surpasses that from cars that cost many times more. It pushes the envelope to limits hard-core enthusiast drivers wouldn't have imagined just 10 years ago from an off-the-shelf production car, at any price. If you've always wanted a Corvette, this is a great time to get one.
NewCarTestDrive.com editor Mitch McCullough filed this report from Detroit; Jeff Vettraino contributed to this report.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Sports Cars |
| Editor |
Mitch McCullough |
| Model Lineup |
Chevrolet Corvette coupe ($44,190); Convertible ($51,890); Z06 coupe ($65,800) |
| Engines (standard) |
6.0-liter ohv V8 |
| Engines (optional) |
400-hp 6.0-liter ohv V8; 505-hp 7.0-liter ohv V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) |
6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
dual-stage front airbags; child-seat lower anchor system; ABS, all-speed traction control with vehicle stability enhancement (electronic stability control); daytime running lights |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
side-impact airbags; OnStar |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Bowling Green, Kentucky |
| Manufacturer Phone |
800-950-2438 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.chevrolet.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$44,190 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Chevrolet Corvette Coupe ($44,190) |
| Standard Equipment |
dual zone automatic climate control with pollen filter; AM/FM/CD with auto-volume control and seven speakers; electric rear window defogger; manual day/night interior rearview mirror with dual reading lights; cruise control; power programmable door locks with lockout protection; power windows; dual 6-way power adjustable bucket seats with leather surfaces; manual tilt steering column; fog lamps; bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps with auto control; push-button hatch release with power pull-down; body-color one-piece removable roof panel; intermittent wipers; carpeted floor mats |
| Destination Charge |
800 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Z51 Performance Package ($1,695) includes larger cross-drilled brake rotors, performance-tuned suspension with Goodyear F1 SC run-flat tires and performance gear ratios; Preferred Equipment Group 3LT ($4,795) includes dual side-impact airbags, rear area cargo convenience net, luggage shade, heated sport bucket seats with perforated leather, adjustable lumbar and side bolsters and position memory, power telescopic steering column, head-up display, Homelink transmitter, compass, driver-side auto-dimming exterior rearview mirror, premium Bose audio with six CD in-dash changer and XM Satellite Radio hardware with three-month subscription; polished aluminum wheels ($1,295); special paint ($750); OnStar telematics ($695) with one year subscription |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$54,220 |
| Horse Power |
400 @ 6000 |
| Torque |
400 @ 4400 |
| Fuel Economy |
18/28 |
| Wheelbase |
105.7 |
| Length/Width/Height |
174.6/72.6/49.0 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
39 |
| Seating Capacity |
2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.0/54.0/43.0 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Trunk Volume |
22.4 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
|
| Front Suspension |
independent, double-wishbone with traverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber |
| Rear Suspension |
independent, double-wishbone with transverse counted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
3179 |
| Stock Tires |
P245/40ZR18 front, P285/35ZR19 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 SC run-flat |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
drilled disc/drilled disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
18.0 |