At 24MPG Should The Corvette Z-06 Still Be Considered A Gas Guzzler?

The upcoming supercharged ZR1 relegates the Z06 to second fiddle for some. They're bowled over by the 620 horses under the ZR1's carbon-fiber hood. Sure, it's 115 more horsepower, but the 505 in the Z06's 7-liter, heart-stopping V-8 is more than most drivers should legally be allowed to handle.

The Z06's vital statistics prove my point: Zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds (in first gear); an 11.7-second quarter mile; and a top speed of 198 miles per hour. Its monster 14-inch vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4-inch rear rotors stop the 3,132-pound coupe from 60 mph in 111.3 feet.

It's far from a gas guzzler though: It gets 24 miles per gallon on the highway, matching the highway performance of the Lexus RX 400h two-mode hybrid, the all-wheel drive four-cylinder Dodge Caliber compact and the sporty V-6 Hyundai Triburon. That may not make the Z06 the greenest machine on the planet, but its greener than most sub-4-second 0-to-60 mph super or near supercars: The 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo, 15 mpg on the highway; the Maserati Quattroporte, 15 mpg; and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, 15 mpg.
 

ThierryHenry14 - 2/20/2008 3:35:08 PM

-17 Boost

Does it really matter that supercars get great gas mileage? I mean, good for Corvette, but its really pointless...

w209w114 - 2/20/2008 3:41:32 PM

+9 Boost

I think it does. Its a statement from GM and a smart evolution into the future.

We would still be driving those 7 Litre muscle cars from the 70s with 8 mpg, if not for this kind of work.

07G35J - 2/20/2008 3:48:20 PM

+4 Boost

It does matter, especially now with all the talk in Washington DC about raising the CAFE standards that require carmakers to build more fuel-efficient vehicles. I'm also impressed to know that a car like the Corvette can get 24MPG.

pushrod27 - 2/20/2008 4:17:06 PM

+4 Boost

Aren't you one of those Euro elitists that says things like:

'why do they need 7.0 liters to make that power? It's so inefficient!'

I'm sure that you are shocked to discover that GM made a motor that delivers such astonishing power and impressive fuel economy, but it's true. Give credit where credit is due.

w209w114 - 2/20/2008 4:41:05 PM

+2 Boost

Pushord

I dont know who you are addressing that comment towards but it certainly wasnt me. I fully stand behind the C63 AMG's 6.2L V8, its a great engine and is the first built entirely by the AMG performance division. You must be talking about DaHarder's comments.

ThierryHenry14 - 2/20/2008 5:09:43 PM

-1 Boost

well, supercars will get the limited production run status that will exempt them from the CAFE standards, so thats not the point. The point is, performance cars are not made to worry about mpg. If you are worried about MPG, get a eco-sedan.

pushrod27 - 2/20/2008 5:22:50 PM

+3 Boost

i was talking to ThierryHenry14. Euro fans always talk about how powerful AND efficient European engines are. Now that GM brings a package with 505 horsepower AND 24 mpg to the table, all of a sudden fuel economy is not impressive.

ThierryHenry14 - 2/20/2008 5:40:39 PM

-1 Boost

1. I never said its not impressive, I just say its not important in a performance car.

2. I have never been an advocate for efficiency, so please do not generalize when you speak.

3. Yes I am fan of certain european cars, but it doesn't mean you must categorize me as a Euro fan. I also love things that comes out of Japan and the states.

4. you sound really ignorant when you speak, generalizing.

DaHarder - 2/20/2008 3:35:44 PM

+5 Boost

Personally, I think not, but then again, I'm not making the rules/setting the standards on these matters.

I will say that it is quite an achievement that a vehicle of this performance caliber can get such good mileage.

Great Job GM!

MattB - 2/20/2008 3:43:18 PM

+4 Boost

No, I wouldn't call that a gas guzzler at all. Considering the Z06's performance, getting 24mpg is impressive.

Agent009 - 2/20/2008 3:56:39 PM

+7 Boost

Neither is the RX400h's acceleration compared to the Corvette's.

pushrod27 - 2/20/2008 4:29:13 PM

+8 Boost

First of all, a Z06 isn't much slower than any car.

Second, who was talking about the GT-R? The Z06 is both lighter and more powerful than the GT-R. Any accelerative advantage the GT-R has is due to better traction from its AWD system.

Obliv - 2/21/2008 2:22:59 PM

+1 Boost

Simply an amazing car. This "low tech" pushrod has been deemed the best engine this side of 250k. Funny how a 505hp sports car can get better mpg then a Lexota pleasure barge that, what was it again? "underperforms and overpromises?" I think that was it.

rocker - 2/20/2008 3:49:57 PM

+4 Boost

It is truly impressive considering how many people on this website give the old pushrod engine in the Corvette a hard time. Comparable Horsepower to a much higher revving non-pushrod engine but with 40% better gas mileage.

KZ258 - 2/20/2008 4:05:18 PM

-3 Boost

great job yes but whoever is in the market for 500+ horepower car, the last thing going through their mind is what they're gonna pay at the pump really

ThierryHenry14 - 2/20/2008 5:12:42 PM

-3 Boost

thats exactly what I am thinking... Its great that GM is able to do that, but I do not really care about MPG, owning a performance cars. I burn so much fuel at the track anyways... Thats why these things are usually second cars for people, because its the one that they will splurge on, not worry about MPG...

Whelan - 2/20/2008 4:17:11 PM

+2 Boost

Considering my 4cyl 1.8L 130hp Matrix AWD gets 25 city and 30+ highway, I'm impressed.

pushrod27 - 2/20/2008 4:32:39 PM

+1 Boost

i think that GM should do a better job of telling people about this. they should use the Corvette's use of lightweight materials and its engine performance in marketing messages. this would make the Corvette more effective as a halo car.

People have the perception that American cars are outdated and inefficient. It's impressive that the Corvette's engine gets 505 horsepower and 24 mpg on the highway.

SixxFive - 2/20/2008 5:50:17 PM

+2 Boost

ThierryHenry14...your comments sounds as if they are coming from a 14 year old. Chevy's mpg achievement with this Corvette is awesome because it is intelligent, smart and responsible engineering.

ThierryHenry14 - 2/21/2008 8:55:10 PM

+2 Boost

yes, while I commend GM on great gas mileage on certain cars, I do not see whats the point in bragging about gas mileage on performance cars.

SteedPub - 2/20/2008 6:37:51 PM

+2 Boost

The Corvette is a natural wonder of our time. How Chevrolet can manage to build the fastest car made in America that gets better gas mileage than our 2006 VW Beetle does on the freeway is something that should be looked into by Congress.

We had a 2003 Corvette Z-06 for a while and that car got as much as 25 mpg on road trips. It was a great thing. I only wish they could have worked the same magic on our 2005 Hummer H2, which could only muster 12 mpg :(

sailnfl - 2/20/2008 7:12:55 PM

-3 Boost

sorry, My 08 viper viper smokes z06's all day long. that why I traded my 06 z06 in on one. it looks better, little old ladies (old gizzers don't drive em and it gets 22 mpg. my z06 got 24mpg just as the viper gets 22 (600hp) but that is on the highway in 6th gear when the engine turns over 1500rpm. my brother has a maserati and he gets only 18 mpg on the highway. my viper smokes his car by 5 car lenghts by 120mph but I'll admit his in town mpg is much better than the viper (about 9mpg) and the z 06 about 12 mpg. but I love smokin any car on the road. havin came up on a bugasugly (Bugatti?) but

ILikeLambo - 2/21/2008 1:52:09 AM

+1 Boost

um.......who cares?

sailnfl - 2/20/2008 7:13:04 PM

-4 Boost

sorry, My 08 viper viper smokes z06's all day long. that why I traded my 06 z06 in on one. it looks better, little old ladies (old gizzers don't drive em and it gets 22 mpg. my z06 got 24mpg just as the viper gets 22 (600hp) but that is on the highway in 6th gear when the engine turns over 1500rpm. my brother has a maserati and he gets only 18 mpg on the highway. my viper smokes his car by 5 car lenghts by 120mph but I'll admit his in town mpg is much better than the viper (about 9mpg) and the z 06 about 12 mpg. but I love smokin any car on the road. havin came up on a bugasugly (Bugatti?) but

FULEXUS - 2/20/2008 7:40:28 PM

0 Boost

The Z06 is kind of old school compared to the 08 Viper. Better watch out for the 08 ZR1.

Htay7500 - 2/20/2008 7:43:07 PM

+1 Boost

but on the long run, the viper is gone.

Obliv - 2/21/2008 2:24:09 PM

+2 Boost

Your 08 viper is slower then a Z06. Sorry to break the news.

sailnfl - 2/20/2008 8:07:14 PM

-2 Boost

I had every add on on the Z06. 3,000K and I still wasn't feeling strong. I'm a bike guy, right now I have an 07 R1 and I sold the vette because I felt like I got into a taxi cab when I got off the bike. of course I don't feel to much different with the viper but,because it doesn't have traction control (like a cadillac)its hard to get off the line but like Htay7500 said, in the long run SEE YA!the viper already has a DODGE (not hennessy) option at 678hp. the vette hasn't been able to touch the viper since 2000. only at lemans and other races they beat them with the $. the viper slams everything. why not admit it. its an f-18 on wheels!

Obliv - 2/21/2008 2:25:52 PM

+1 Boost

It also sounds like crap.

sailnfl - 2/20/2008 8:07:23 PM

-2 Boost

I had every add on on the Z06. 3,000K and I still wasn't feeling strong. I'm a bike guy, right now I have an 07 R1 and I sold the vette because I felt like I got into a taxi cab when I got off the bike. of course I don't feel to much different with the viper but,because it doesn't have traction control (like a cadillac)its hard to get off the line but like Htay7500 said, in the long run SEE YA!the viper already has a DODGE (not hennessy) option at 678hp. the vette hasn't been able to touch the viper since 2000. only at lemans and other races they beat them with the $. the viper slams everything. why not admit it. its an f-18 on wheels!

sailnfl - 2/20/2008 8:27:44 PM

-3 Boost

the biggest weasel move was when the vette stole the headlamps and basically the front end from the viper. Thats worse than the japs stealing from the Germans.

sailnfl - 2/21/2008 8:54:55 AM

+1 Boost

not much can

sailnfl - 2/24/2008 10:50:40 PM

+1 Boost

come on geerkie. Just like my 08 viper that slams a z06 gets 22 mpg as the vette gets 24. its only because of the 6th gear traveling at 80 mph turning 1500prm. drive then in the city and you get 10 mpg unless you drive like your gramma in her lexus!