2010 Corvette Review Grand Sport Z06 Zr1
There are few things more American than the Corvette and the 2010 model lineup continues the tradition of rear wheel, rip roaring adrenaline infused fun. Mostly the same for 2010 the C6 brings two notable check items on the dealer spec sheet. With a manual transmission all Corvettes get the new for GM launch control which lets you maximize acceleration runs from a dead stop and the big one, the one Corvette owners and enthusiasts have been asking for, the Corvette Grand Sport.
The Corvette C5 was a major step up from the previous generation, a base Corvette C5 was closely comparable to the previous “King of the Hill”, the C4 ZR1 and the level of refinement and drivability was a marked improvement. The C6 took that ante and raised it considerably and the C6 ZR1 pushes all in.
GM’s focus with the C6 was to make it a platform which could compete in a world market, it was to be the iconic American sports car that Europeans could buy and enjoy, necessitating certain changes in design philosophy. Would it surprise you to know that a 2010 Porsche 911 is longer than the 2010 Corvette?
Since its introduction as a 2005 model, the C6 Corvette has been breaking all the traditional Corvette standards. It was the first Corvette since 1962 to have exposed headlamps instead of “flip ups”, and with the C6 ZR1 the use of forced induction making for the most powerful GM vehicle to date! For more posh customers an optional $8000 leather wrapped interior (in addition to the seats) has been available for the last few model years.
Whether you get behind the wheel of the base model rated at 430 hp (or 436 with the dual mode exhaust), the Z06 (rated at 505 hp) or the ZR1 (rated at 636 hp) you will not be disappointed with the performance. Base models are routinely getting high 3 sec low 4 sec 0-60 times and quarter mile times in the high 12’s. With the abundance of aftermarket goodies for the Corvette it is possible to add plenty of bolt on power and some not so bolt on power. The Z06 is the purists’ choice, incredibly fast, incredibly nimble, competitively priced and harsh as a mob on Black Friday. The ZR1 is the stuff dreams are made of, this January cover car is the fastest and quickest hunk of car ever put out by the General.
The big news for this year is the Grand Sport. The automotive journalist favorite option has always been the Z51 package, which was a base model Corvette with some handling upgrades with regards to suspension. The Grand Sport takes that several notches further by incorporating a more noticeable transformation. The looks and brakes of the Z06, the handling of the Z51 of last year and some unique touches for a price below midpoint point between a well equipped base model and the Z06, this is the Corvette to get. GM predicts that the majority of base model Corvettes sold this year will be optioned as a Grand Sport, which will make those looking for used versions in a few years VERY happy.
In typical fashion as far as sports cars go, the Corvette lineup is quite spacious. There is room for two sets of golf clubs and two overnight bags in the back of both the coupes and convertibles. Driver and passenger both get plenty of leg, shoulder and head room. The ergonomics are quite good, even though the keyless start takes a little getting accustomed to. The big gripe here isn’t the starting of the car; it’s the shutting down process. It has been a common complaint that instead of shutting down completely the car is accidently shut down and left in accessory mode. Not a big deal, just a nuisance.
Interior is excellent for typical American interiors, but has a way to go before it can compete with the European and Japanese interiors. Even with the leather upgrade option the interior is a little too ‘plasticky’ but not an eye sore. The C5 suffered from quality issues ranging from uneven gaps in the dash panels to foam pads protruding from the joints of the dash panels. The C6 has none of this, so in a way this is the best Corvette interior to date.
Reliability has not been an issue for Corvettes in a long time, a few gremlins here and there but in general better than average. A few Z06 customers have received new engines due to faulty valve springs breaking and causing catastrophic damage to the engine. At $15,000 an engine that’s not a minor issue, on a positive note, they usually fail within the warranty period.
Tire pressure sensors are notoriously finicky with temperature, colder morning startups will light up your dash board with ‘low tire pressure’ warnings, after a few miles of driving it goes away, like the keyless start, not a big deal just a nuisance.
Surprisingly fuel economy is actually pretty good, anywhere from low 12 mpg for the ZR1 to mid 20 mpg on a base model. Mix driving on a base model usually results in 17 to 18 mpg.
For the money you will not find a better sports car that can be a weekend fun toy or a daily driver. It is the most usable of the cars in this class and due to economies of scale one of the least expensive to maintain and repair. Features like the dual mode exhaust first introduced on the C6 Z06 have added an aural element that had been lacking on modern vehicles. Once those secondary butterflies open the sound emanating from the back of your car goes from a caged lion to a snarling wilder beast. Too bad spectators hear more of it than the driver.
Long term feedback for Corvette owners has always been positive and with the introduction of the Grand Sport and the continuation of the ZR1 there are more and more reasons for sports car enthusiasts to cross shop at the GM showrooms throughout the nation.
Happy motoring
