With 2014 almost over, TopSpeed thought it was time to take inventory of the past 12 months’ worth of vehicles and pick a few for top billing. The publication identified three categories for its 2014 awards: Performance Car of the Year, Best Car of the Year, and Best Truck of the Year. General Motors, Chevrolet, and Corvette fans will be pleased with the choice of the former.
Almost unanimously, the 2015 Corvette Z06 was chosen as TopSpeed’s 2014 Performance Car of the Year over the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe and even Corvette’s little brother, the Camaro Z/28. The 2015 Z06 received praise for its supercar-like performance and much-improved interior. It’s also the second Corvette to win an award from TopSpeed. Just last year, the publication selected the 2014 Corvette Stingray as its 2013 TopSpeed Car of the Year.
Of course, the Z06’s win shouldn’t be a surprise to folks keeping up with the C7’s development, especially given how it was developed alongside the C7.R race car. The Z06’s key attributes include its stiff and light architecture, powerful supercharged LT4 engine, ultra high-performance Brembo brakes, lightweight wheels rolling on Michelins, and the electronic limited-slip differential. But the influence of the C7.R isn’t all mechanical, as it also can be seen in the cabin of the 2015 Z06 and its flat-bottom steering wheel and high-performance seats.
And though the new Z06’s starting price of $78,995 is certainly out of reach of most middle-class Americans, it’s worth noting that the car can be taken to and perform well at the track, making it a great deal. So for that kind of money, it’s a veritable bargain.
Comments
I want to see the numbers reaching the Z06 on track and road tests against other rivals
Regards from Spain
Likewise, there’s a lot of talk about heat soak power pulls by the ECM and strange break in procedures that is supposedly the fix. Previous owners of C6 cars are saying those models had no such issues.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-z06-discussion/3579172-2015-z06-vs-2015-nissan-gtr-both-stock.html
Yeah this ECM tuning issue is ridiculous! I GM remedies this!
Not had a problem on my C6 Z51 436hp roadster. I bought it used 2 and a half years ago with 12,400miles. Kate has given me over 18,000 miles, 170 miles on watkis glen at over 14+ mph with no trouble at all. I have to thank the drs wife for making him trade it in on a pool for his children. Thanks doc.
One cannot use 650 hp on public roads. If the ECU prevents its use on a track, what is the use of this car?
Fun my boy, FUN. They still are fun cars to drive within the speedlimits or even a little out of same. Comfortable, fun a reason to live. See the USA in your corvette, Eehaaaa