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Ron (Houston) said:... Can't wait to read your review, in particular the handling which seems to have been improved in '08 models...
Here is a review of a 1-day '08 C6 rental I did a couple of months ago back-to-back with my 996 C4:
I rented an '08 C6 for an extensive test drive. This was actually a convertible, 3LT, auto (A6), with the base suspension.
I drove it on fast freeways (light traffic) and some of the best twisty mountain roads in the world (with nearly zero traffic). [Note: please do not ask locations].
I was particularly interested in chassis, suspension, steering, and transmission performance through very fast and very demanding switchbacks with frequent elevation changes. The benchmark was my Porsche 911 (996) C4. To satisfy my needs I had the opportunity to drive back-to-back both the '08 C6 and my 911 through the same test roads in very similar traffic conditions.
I knew the Porsche is a stellar performer for that kind of driving. The question for me was, would the '08 C6 be a contender? The answer is emphatically yes! and it is so in spades.
Handling
These cars are very different. The Porsche is the iconic all-in-the-rear ultra-developed Butzi Porsche design. In its latest realizations is very stable, capable of dart-like acrobatics, with a very elastic 3.xL boxer-6 and a superbly matched gearbox (in my case a manual 6-speed). The driver sits in the middle of the car closer to the front than the Vette's; that makes the car feel nimbler and the scenery seems closer, particularly in turns. The Vette is a well-honed front mounted mid-engine design, with a quasi perfect weight distribution. It looks bigger than the 911, but it is actually the same length, 1-inch wider, and 2 inches lower. The driver sits further back and lower and that makes the car feel bigger and the scenery to be more remote.
On the same roads the Vette performs just as well the 911, with perhaps a little more balance and confidence-inspiring demeanor. It is at least as fast as the 911 on demanding mountain twisties and it may be faster, at least for my driving style and experience. It rotates authoritatively and grips powerfully. It benefits, I guess, from a lower center-of-gravity, its mass distribution, and equally sticky rubber. The '08 steering is just about on par with the 911's, a bit less communicative, but equally capable - I've driven a Z51 which I thought was more communicative, and that may have to do with its "supercar" stickier, more precise design, rubber.
Suspension
The Vette's handling says a lot about the base suspension. It performed remarkably well on average-to-good surfaces, soaking irregularities well. Having previously only driven Z51-equipped '08s, I was surprised how well the base suspension handled. Having a choice, I would favor a slightly tighter Z51 or an F55 (w/ or w/o Z51 sway bars), as I know they will feel/perform better, but the base did not flinch.
Transmission
I am a 6-speed stick driver - even though I'm very familiar with some very capable MB auto-trannies too - and I was very impressed with the '08 A6 both in D (auto mode) and Sport (manual mode). Perhaps because I tend to drive with the throttle, i.e., I fully modulate the throttle travel range, I managed to extract from the auto in D mode fantastic performance. Never did I encountered an occasion where the tranny was not in the right gear. It always shifted to the right gear for the required torque and acceleration. Seamless shifts too. [Note: this is also true too with Porsche, namely the latest Tip-S when used in a 997TT]. I note that to extract this level of performance from an auto you really need to know how to drive with your right foot - not an on-off deal, but a fine analog potentiometer, if you know what I mean. I used Sport mode in some of my mountain twisties drive, especially in down-sloping sections, where I wanted to maintain a low gear. Again... down-shifts were perfectly rev-matched, seamlessly, and fast. Yes, faster than I, and I suspect anyone else, can shift a manual. [Note: without entering the argument MN6 is better than A6 - I note that a lot of fun high-performance driving benefits can be had from a good auto tranny (like the '08s A6) allowing the driver to concentrate on proper line steering].
Engine
I do not have to comment on the LS3, you all know it. 430/436HP on tap with an almost flat wall of torque. This is power on demand which, between command performance mountain runs or high-speed circuits, runs normally under-utilized, rolling economically in 6th at 1200RPM at 70MPH!
So there you have it. I am impressed with the new '08 C6 and for the right reasons, my reasons that is. And today I share those reasons and evaluation with you.
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Note - My review only applies to the '08 C6. It does not apply, in my view, to older models. I've driven an 07 and the car lacks on steering feel, transmission shifting, both issues corrected on the '08.
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