2002 Corvette Z06 6 Speed
Introduced in 2002 as a lightweight, ultra-performance coupe with a 6-speed manual transmission and a new 385-hp LS6 version of the 5.7-liter LS1 Corvette engine, the Z06 was the closest factory Vette in modern times to a track-ready racer. Calling it "simply the quickest, best handling production Corvette ever," Chevy said it was "aimed directly at diehard performance enthusiasts." For 2002, it got a 20-hp bump and a slew of additional refinement. The LS6's aluminum block provides better management of crankcase pressures and improved oiling during high-speed operation. Its cam profile is more aggressive and its 10.5:1 high-compression cylinder heads have improved porting, stronger valve springs and larger fuel injectors. A low-restriction titanium exhaust system-the first-ever in a mass-produced automobile-is 50-percent lighter than the stainless steel system it replaces. It delivers power through an exclusive 6-speed manual transmission with more aggressive gearing that increases torque multiplication in almost every gear for quicker acceleration. Driving our bright yellow test Z06 from Lansing, MI to Toronto, Canada to interview Corvette racer Ron Fellows, we couldn't get enough of its rocket-ship performance and truly incredible handling. Lead driver for GM's highly successful C5-R racing team, Fellows has scored back-to-back class wins (2001 and 2002) in the grueling 24-Hours of Le Mans, overall victory in the 2001 Daytona 24-Hour and 12 wins in 18 starts in the 2001 and '02 American Le Mans Series (ALMS). "Corvettes are terrific cars, especially for the money," he said, "and the Z06 is fantastic " Like all C-5 (fifth generation) Corvettes, the Z06 is also surprisingly solid, quiet and comfortable on the road. Over the many years of the Corvettes existence it has reigned supreme as the American sports car. To keep its title though the Corvette has had to change with the times and evolve with its competition, always striving to stay a step ahead. One of the Corvettes major combatants is the Mustang, released 11 and a half years after the Corvette, it is one of the only muscle cars that has endured until the 21st century with the Corvette. Creating an age old battle between these two automobile companies each pushing the other to better engineer a sports car for us, the enthusiast.
Besides changing the appearance of the Corvette the other major changes occurred under the hood. After the oil crisis in the 70's many muscle cars disappeared but the Corvette persevered and for a number of years had low powered motors to keep GM in the limits of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy mandate, and also so that consumers could afford to drive these beautiful machines with the sky rocketing gas prices. It wasn't until 1982 when the Corvette switched from being a carbureted motor to an early form of fuel injection. This was also the last year for the 3rd generation of the Corvette body style known as the C3. Chevrolet then took a year off to refine their Corvette and released the C4 Corvette in 1984, with a 350 cubic inch cross fire injection motor that produced 205hp and 290ft. /lb of torque.
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