Z06 vs. Carrera S
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With the Z06, Chevrolet has yet again built an exceptional car with an unearthly amount of power. Unfortunately those pesky Germans are still hanging around with their perfect little sportscars. Can the Corvette finally thwart Ferdinand's empire with its mighty 505-bhp 427? Porsche does seem to understand that 505 is just one, relatively unimportant number.
They ask over $16K more for their prize fighter, the Carrera S, despite its modest 355-hp spec. The S, you see, has much more than an engine. It has smooth, solid steering with only the thinnest layer of isolation and a talkative chassis that dances playfully on the limit while still transmitting intimate details at any pace. Granted, the Z06 does pack an epic punch.Mashing the long-travel throttle produces stunning acceleration and the previouslysilent V-8 erupts into an earthquake of sound. The 911's motor wins the finesse war, however, with a more elastic power delivery and a wail that is opera to the Vette's heavy metal. The Carrera also generates a stout pace, but even with a superior shifter, it's no match for massive American cubes.