The 2006 Corvette Z06 has a new magnesium cradle that serves as the attachment point for the engine and some front suspension components. Magnesium is lighter than aluminum yet incredibly strong. The 2006 Corvette Z06, sporting a stock 427 CI 505 HP motor, will actually have more horsepower than the race cars is rare, if not a first, as this will be a restrictor plate race.

Chevrolet returns to this year's Daytona 500 with an impressive win record - 17 victories, the most of any manufacturer. Chevrolet also kicks off the 2005 racing season as defending manufacturer's champion. Chevrolet makes about 35,000 Corvettes annually, making 2006 Corvette Z06 an instant-collectible. Those shopping the lower-end of the supercar market will find the 2006 Corvette Z06 safety, comfort, performance, overall quality and price a tough combination to beat. Chevrolet has it all - racing history, a loyal customer base, and great looking and performing cars. Which is why the Optra and the Aveo, good cars in their own right, don't fit the Chevrolet tag in my mind.

The answer came in the form of the C6 Corvette, an evolutionary development of the C5 that would arrive four years later with an even steamier 400-hp, 400-lb-ft rendition of the classic Chevrolet small-block. That the Chevy small-block remains a huge player in America's arsenal of high-performance internal combustion is as remarkable as it is inarguable, what with the engine celebrating its fiftieth production anniversary this year. Despite its classic 7.0-liter (427 cubic inches) size, the LS7 V8 is the largest iteration of the newest GM aluminum small-block V8. Its size and strengthened internal parts allow it to make 505 horsepower at 6300 rpm, with torque peaking at 470 lb-ft at 4800 rpm. Instead, it's yet another variant of the versatile mouse motor, the small-block Chevy V-8 that is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. Even so, it's rated at 500 horsepower-more than any of the bygone 427s and 454s-and these are SAE net horses, not the bogus gross ponies from the '60s.

Engineers also moved the battery from underhood to a position in the rear cargo area, behind one of the rear wheels. Engine certification is based on a series of self-certification tests conducted by the manufacturer that are witnessed and verified by an SAE-qualified observer. The procedure for certification is outlined in SAE's standard J2723; the actual horsepower testing procedure is described in J1349.

While there is only a moderately heavy clutch action to handle its prodigious power, the 2006 Corvette Z06 super tight driveline feels like it was carved from a single block of metal. The Z06's race-bred suspension sports a double-digit increase in roll stiffness when compared to the C6 Z51. And, like other 2006 Corvettes, the 2006 Corvette Z06 has a new, smaller-diameter 370-mm three-spoke steering wheel that provides a more agile, performance-oriented feel. The seats feature two-tone leather surfaces, with Z06-logo embroidery and contrasting stitching.

A racing-ready suspension and large, 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels help keep it glued to the tarmac, so it requires no drivetrain modifications to satisfy its role in front of the racing pack. In its official capacity, however, the pace car is outfitted with a variety of safety equipment and highly visible strobe lights. It includes a pump that sends transmission fluid to the front radiator for cooling. The battery for the car is placed at rear, which will remove the weight bias for the front end.

The 2006 Corvette Z06 hand-built LS7 aluminum-block V8 engine contains racing-derived components such as an eight-quart dry-sump lubrication system and titanium connecting rods. This affordable muscle car also has a six-speed manual transmission and four-wheel disc antilock brakes.