Tuesday 2nd August 2016

Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Spotted

Does 'The Big Nasty' really make sense in the UK?

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As has been discussed recently, the current Corvette Z06 is one of those American performance cars that is hugely exciting for a UK audience. Alongside the Mustang GT350R and Viper ACR, this new breed of US track special no longer requires qualification; they're no longer quick on a circuit "for an American car", they're just plain quick. Really, really quick, in fact, with a level of dynamism unknown to even their most direct predecessors. Put simply, we really, really want a go in all three, and that's not always something you've been able to say about American sports cars.

Pls change the numberplate

So while we did feature a standard Corvette C7 recently, this Z06 is most definitely worth a mention too as it is a very, very different car. There's the small matter of another 190hp (!) for a start, the Z06's V8 supercharged to 650hp against the standard car's 460hp. The compression ratio was upped, it was dry sumped and the Z06 also gained expensive internals like titanium intake valves and forged pistons. It's not messing around, put simply.

But then neither is it brute force and belligerence either. The aero was revised, the tracks widened and the magnetic dampers redone too. With the Z07 performance pack fitted - as is here - the Corvette also gets carbon ceramic brakes, an adjustable rear spoiler and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s. Even without the Z07 kit the Z06 is one intimidating Corvette as well, all in your face aggression and US bravado. In the confines of a Hampshire Bentley dealer, it looks like when Dwayne Johnson wears a suit - it just squeezes in, and looks smart enough, but you can tell it's not especially comfortable. And everyone else around is still scared.

For full driving god points, this Corvette also comes with a manual gearbox. Reckon more than 600hp needs an automatic? Chevrolet doesn't! And what else can you buy with a manual gearbox and more than 600hp? Not a lot, actually. A 911 GT2 RS, a Carrera GT, a few mental Mustangs a Noble M600. All incredible cars, but all are going to be more expensive than the Corvette.

Seven on the floor!

Even though this Z06 is listed as POA, a little delving on the automotive treasure trove that is mobile.de reveals similar cars in Germany at around 140,000 euros. At the current rate, that's a little under £120,000. A lot of money for the Corvette, but arguably not that much for the performance. What a dilemma...

The same hurdles all American cars face will be present here - left-hand drive, potential issues with maintenance, explaining what it is - but it's also a rare opportunity to buy what sounds like one of the most thrilling sports cars around today. If you think too many fast cars do too much for the driver, this could be the answer. Just get that numberplate changed pronto.

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CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06
Engine: 6,162cc, supercharged V8
Transmission: 7-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 650@6,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 650@3,600rpm
MPG: 15/22 (EPA estimated city/highway)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2015
Recorded mileage: 255
Price new: $78,995 (US)
Price now: £POA

See the original advert here

[jayemm89]

I visited Ian Allen Motors some time ago when looking at a C7. They'd just got their Z06 demonstrator in. The salesperson described it as "undriveable" on the standard tyres.

What it's like on more UK-friendly rubber, I have no idea. The regular car can be quite interesting!

[torchy6]

Top Yankee shed with manual, what's not to like? Well the con artist trying to double the value for a start. How do these thieves have the brass neck to try it on? If you want one import it for half the price.

[LuS1fer]

The new Camaro ZL1 is on the way, too, with 650hp, for about $60000
http://jalopnik.com/here-is-how-much-power-the-ins...

[rtz62]

$107,740
$107,740 or £80,787 delivered in the good of' US of A (using the Corvette configurator, and building it to the spec that is visible in the advert; possibly less if it doesn't have the competition sports bucket seats, body colour dual roof package and carbon fibre ground effects package, all of which add $7985 or £5985 to the price). Deleting those options makes this a £74,802 car
So where does that £39,213 mark-up come from (if you use the 'typical mobile.de benchmark price)? That's a heck of a lot of ££££ for a car that's a year old, even taking into account shipping, taxes etc which will admittedly make a good dent in that headline figure...
Shoot me down in flames, dear readers, as I'm sure I must have missed something here.....

[novus]

Just done a quote with ship my car for a fully managed import including Dvla bits etc to get it on the road here when it arrives on a new Z06 and also VAT that would be owed on the price of the car here apparently

£14600. Very rough estimate figures used by me mind you to get the quote

[j90gta]

rtz62 said:

$107,740
$107,740 or £80,787 delivered in the good of' US of A (using the Corvette configurator, and building it to the spec that is visible in the advert; possibly less if it doesn't have the competition sports bucket seats, body colour dual roof package and carbon fibre ground effects package, all of which add $7985 or £5985 to the price). Deleting those options makes this a £74,802 car
So where does that £39,213 mark-up come from (if you use the 'typical mobile.de benchmark price)? That's a heck of a lot of ££££ for a car that's a year old, even taking into account shipping, taxes etc which will admittedly make a good dent in that headline figure...
Shoot me down in flames, dear readers, as I'm sure I must have missed something here.....

Don't you have to add 20% VAT and 10% Customs Duty? Then there are shipping and insurance costs and the hassle of getting it registered in the UK, SVA, changing the lights etc. etc.....

[samoht]

I understand the current Z06 has a heat issue on track, under-cooled and can't manage more than a few laps flat out. Which, combined with the feeling that 650hp might just be overkill in a front engined, rear drive car, plus the six figure cost, would point me towards the regular Stingray, or even better the grand sport.

Well, if I lived in a LHD country, that is.

[LuS1fer]

j90gta said:

Don't you have to add 20% VAT and 10% Customs Duty? Then there are shipping and insurance costs and the hassle of getting it registered in the UK, SVA, changing the lights etc. etc.....

Shipping and 10% import with 20% VAt on the price, import duty and shipping combined.

[jayemm89]

The price quoted by PH may be a little misleading, there are a few trim levels and things which mean it is possible to option a Vette way beyond it's "base" price.

The Euro-spec cars (if this is one) tend to have the highest spec as standard. The pricing isn't always as unfair as it may seem.

[acr_nick]

Well shipping from collection to dock is roughly £1500 depending on taking marine insurance or not so car £80,000+1500 then add duty that becomes £89650 next comes then vat 20% that takes it to £107580 then the iva work and testing depending on how much labour could be another £1500 so that becomes £109,000. Dealer has to make a marching so not hard to see them asking £120,000 when you do the maths.

[Gixer]

I agree with the post above ref pricing. All too easy to moan about the cost differences but they've always been there thanks to our tax on tax system.not helped at the moment by the weak pound either

samoht said:

I understand the current Z06 has a heat issue on track, under-cooled and can't manage more than a few laps flat out. Which, combined with the feeling that 650hp might just be overkill in a front engined, rear drive car, plus the six figure cost, would point me towards the regular Stingray, or even better the grand sport.

Well, if I lived in a LHD country, that is.

I understand that the new models are getting changes to resolve this and let's be honest, anything more than 500hp in a road car is overkill and top trumps really

Not sure what the weight distribution of the new Z06 is but the outgoing model was 50/50 front rear so was well balanced, helped by the fact the LS7 was actually tiny despite its 7ltrs. The new car is nearly 200kgs heavier but I'm not sure how that weight is distributed.

As for LHD, you tried it? I have 2 LHD and 2 RHD and really don't think anything of it.

[tankplanker]

I thought you could still buy these new from UK Chevrolet dealers for £88k to £100k, or am I missing something?

http://www.chevrolet.co.uk/cars/corvette-z06/

[hughcam]

tankplanker said:

I thought you could still buy these new from UK Chevrolet dealers for £88k to £100k, or am I missing something?

http://www.chevrolet.co.uk/cars/corvette-z06/

Hmmm that is interesting - I never new they were avaliable for UK order. However I wonder in the price on chevrolet.co.uk is 'on the road'?

[woody2846]

You can buy them from the UK. The price quoted on the above link is OTR. There is only one official dealer in the UK based in Virginia Water, Surrey.

Edited by woody2846 on Wednesday 3rd August 10:49

[Krikkit]

In which case this one is £20-30k overpriced! The car above options out to about £105k

[Matt Bird]

hughcam said:

tankplanker said:

I thought you could still buy these new from UK Chevrolet dealers for £88k to £100k, or am I missing something?

http://www.chevrolet.co.uk/cars/corvette-z06/

Hmmm that is interesting - I never new they were avaliable for UK order. However I wonder in the price on chevrolet.co.uk is 'on the road'?

I didn't know about this either! Thanks for sharing. You'd think they would make more noise about it.

[tankplanker]

They might have a long wait for delivery if ordering new from a main dealer, which would explain the high premium for a very low mileage in stock example, but it doesn't excuse it.

I had a look at the Z06 when I was looking at the 911 and Evora 400 early this year before I decided carrying on with multiple cars suited me better. I discounted the Z06 as I was disgusted with the UK RRP when compared to the US price so you can guess how I feel about people flipping them for even more. Granted £90k of Z06 is going to be significantly faster than ~£90k worth of brand new Evora or 911.

Matt, you should be getting hold of a press car for a drive, I'd be very interested in what it is like to drive on UK roads.

[xRIEx]

Krikkit said:

In which case this one is £20-30k overpriced! The car above options out to about £105k

We don't know what the price of this one is, PH is just guessing based on vehicles in the EU with another country's duty/taxes and Euro exchange rates. This one could be £110k in which case it's only £5k overpriced or it could be £103k and so be £2k underpriced. Ish.

[jamespink]

rtz62 said:

$107,740
$107,740 or £80,787 delivered in the good of' US of A (using the Corvette configurator, and building it to the spec that is visible in the advert; possibly less if it doesn't have the competition sports bucket seats, body colour dual roof package and carbon fibre ground effects package, all of which add $7985 or £5985 to the price). Deleting those options makes this a £74,802 car
So where does that £39,213 mark-up come from (if you use the 'typical mobile.de benchmark price)? That's a heck of a lot of ££££ for a car that's a year old, even taking into account shipping, taxes etc which will admittedly make a good dent in that headline figure...
Shoot me down in flames, dear readers, as I'm sure I must have missed something here.....

You have ably spotted the car dealers god given right to swing back in his executive chair and dream up the largest number he thinks he can get away with. Our local Subaru dealer does it with all his "toys", 911 for £60k then next week its £50k...

[Matt Bird]

Hi all,

So I'm learning a lot about the availability of Corvettes! The nice folk at Ian Allan:

http://www.ianallanvirginiawater.co.uk/

have been in touch and will sell you a Corvette; standard, GS and Z06. Apologies for any confusion. Hoping my numbers come up this weekend even more now!

Cheers,


Matt