ALT-1 Is the Chevy Corvette Overrated
You've got to draw the line somewhere. If you're an ostrich and you've been standing around with your 'butt' in the air and your head in the sand for the last three years, I'll excuse you for asking, "Is the Corvette overrated".
Maybe this is where I need to post the 'Advisory': If you really don't know anything about what makes a great car, great....or you think the SUV is the greatest invention since the Model T, you may want to gracefully excuse yourself from this topic now. You are seriously in over your head.
Nurburg, Germany
The air is thick with excitement here at the world famous Nurburgring Nordschleife as Jan Magnusen belts himself into the new Corvette Z06. He will soon assault this 12.9 mile race course that has become the test bed for performance cars from around the world. The driver gets his signal to go, he drops the clutch and the Z06 roars out of the pits and races up the course. On hand for this event are respected automotive observers, reporters, engineers, and interested parties from a variety of rival manufacturers.
This track was originally intended to showcase German automotive engineering, but in recent years, it has become the standard for the world. Nissan, Toyota, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini and many others now test their performance models right here with the German Porsche, Mercedes, Audi and other European automobiles. This course, with its 170 turns and elevation changes, is considered to be the supreme technical challenge for performance automobiles. Success here is a direct validation of automotive performance engineering, design and technology. In other words, "This place doesn't lie"! The proof is reflected in the 'Time'.
The Corvette is no longer a car designed to merely meet what were once perceived to be American performance standards. The bar has been raised to a 'world standard'. The Corvette now answers the 'call of the world'. In order to do well at the Nurburgring against the top performance cars in the world, a car has to be more than simply good in a straight line as some uninformed car critics would have one believe. It also has to have exceptional overall handling and balance, superior braking, and tremendous top speed capabilities. These are qualities that have been engineered into the latest evolution of the Corvette.
Excitement rises in the pits. All those waiting to see what this new Corvette Z06 will do, now hear the big 505 horsepower Corvette roaring through the final long straightaway. They have their timers ready as the sound of the Corvette's deep V8 rumble draws nearer. Just for comparison, the Lamborghini Gallardo ran a 7:52 here earlier, the Lambo Murielago went 7:43.5, the Pagani Zonda C12 S ran 7:44, and the Ferrari F430 went 7:56. Mercedes' new futuristic SLR Mclaren ran 7:52 and Ford's new $200,000 GT went a quick 7:42. If you aren't familiar with these car names, maybe you might wish to excuse yourself now.
All eyes are back on the track now as Jan Magnasen brakes hard for the final turn, down shifts to second gear and accelerates hard toward the finsh line. The timers capture the Corvette Z06 at 7:42.9! There is no question that Corvette's performance is world class. It has been tested against almost every conceivable rival in all most every automotive magazine in the world over the past 3 years. It has been tested against rivals on tracks around the world. It has been tested on the streets, here and abroad. In every case, the Corvette has proven itself to be a worthy challenger for all comers.
Patrick Hong of Road & Track magazine said, "....the Corvette's performance and refinement have been elevated, making it a true competitor against the world's best."
Chris Walton of Motor Trend magazine says,"....but the fact remains this new Z06 is the hottest supercar you can buy anywhere for the money. There, we said it."
Frank Markus of the same publication said, "This time the Chevy folks are through messing around. They've pushed the button. Gone Nukyaler."
So, If you think the Corvette is overrated, see how many cars you can find that cost under five figures that pump out 505 horses, go 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, the quarter mile in 12.2, pull 1.02 G's on the 200 ft skidpad, maneuver through the 700 ft slalom at 69.6 mph and stop from 60 mph in 109 ft!
The truth is, if you were a "real car person", you'd already know all this stuff. And if you don't, get your "head out of the sand and park your 'butt' in a chair" and read all about it. Don't take my word for it, the facts have been in 'black and white' since the new Vette was introduced in 2005.
"Is the Corvette overrated?"......You do the math and then, excuse yourself.
