The exposed headlights usually draw the first comments. Since the early 1960s, Corvettes used hideaway headlamps to complement their sleek designs, but advances in optics and lighting technology now enable designers to achieve those goals with exposed headlights. From an engineering standpoint, the new headlamps are better than the old hideaways: They are lighter, which means less weight hanging out over the front wheels, a critical area in terms of overhang, polar moments of inertia and all that engineering stuff that does affect handling. Trimming weight in front is always difficult in a high performance front-engine car, so this is an important reduction. The new lights also eliminate a lot of mechanical complexity and allow a higher-quality lighting setup. On top of all that, they offer better performance: Chevrolet says lighting is improved 85 percent. So the exposed headlights are good thing.
More important than the headlamps, however, are the Corvette's smaller proportions. The C6 is fully 5 inches shorter than the C5 (3 inches shorter in front, 2 inches shorter in the rear), and the standard models are one inch narrower. Smaller size and lighter weight improve agility. The C6 also cuts a tighter profile, and it does all that without eliminating usable interior space. In addition to the handling benefits, the more diminutive dimensions make the Corvette more appealing on the tighter roads found in other parts of the world, particularly Europe.
The C6 body work is smoother aerodynamically and generates less lift in front than the C5, which results in better grip and increased stability at high speeds. The sculpted fenders, sharp creases that sweep dramatically up to the planed rear deck and other aspects of the design call to mind race cars as well as jet fighters. The narrower rear end is the biggest improvement from a styling standpoint, offering more pleasing proportions. The four jeweled taillights make the new Corvette look like an F18 taking off in full afterburner mode.
The optics of the reverse lights magnify the light they throw out, helpful when backing up in this beast.
The headlights are only one part of Chevrolet's efforts to trim weight from the front of the Corvette. Rather than being attached directly behind the engine, the transmission is mounted behind the seats and connected to the differential. In the Z06, this quest for front-rear balance extends to the weight of the battery, which is relocated from under the hood to the rear cargo area.
The Z06 is distinguished from other 2006 Corvettes by lots of subtle appearance tweaks, starting with the roof. The Z06 roof is fixed rather than removable, to add an extra element of structural stiffness for track driving. So you'll never see a transparent plastic roof panel on a Z06.
In front, the Z06 has a wider, lower grille and a separate, unique air scoop above the bumper to shove more intake air under the hood. Its fenders are wider front and rear to cover massively wide tires and rims (the rear wheels are fully 12 inches wide, or two inches wider than those on the standard Vette). In back, the Z06 spoiler is slightly more prominent, and its exhaust outlets are wider, too (four inches in diameter at the tips). There are also several Z06 body and chassis changes that aren't apparent to the eye. The Z06 frame is made entirely of hydro-formed aluminum (the standard Vettes have steel rails), with a magnesium engine cradle, and its fenders are formed from ultra-light carbon fiber. As a result, and despite a much heavier engine and drivetrain, the Z06 weighs 50 pounds less than a standard Corvette coupe.
