Yes, we know that the Dodge Viper has 510-horsepower/535 lb-ft torque and the Ford GT has 550-horsepower/500 lb-ft torque, but those more costly exotics fall far short of the Corvette in terms of usability. The Corvette Z06 is a 365-day a year car.

The Z06 resembles regular Corvettes, but it has distinctive front fender air ducts. The unique thing about the front fenders is that they weigh a mere 3 pounds apiece since they’re carbon fiber. The fenders are flared to accommodate wider tires. The Z06 is approximately 3 inches wider in front and 4 inches wider in back. The rear spoiler is larger for added downforce.

The glass hatch rear window is the same as the base coupe, but the roof is fixed. We’ve always appreciated the removable roof panel because it offered the best of both open and closed cars. In the name of rigidity it was deemed best that the Z06 have a solid roof.

Rear brake cooling scoops are located behind the doors. Cool air for the front brakes comes through the front fascia.

Underneath the swoopy bodywork is an aluminum main structure and frame rails. That cuts about 130 pounds off the previous steel structure. The roof structure is cast magnesium.

The heart of the Z06 is its “big” small-block engine. If that sounds confusing it’s because the LS7 engine is based on the Gen III 5.7-liter LS1 small-block, but it displaces 7-liters. That equals legendary 427 cubic inch Chevy big-blocks. Engine features include an aluminum block and titanium connecting rods. It’s said that the factory 505 hp rating is actually conservative.

The sole transmission is a Tremec 6-speed manual. It was a little stiff on our barely broken in test car, but it does an excellent job of handling the monster motor. All that power is good for zero-to-sixty times in the low four second to high three-second range (depending on whose figures you believe). Quarter mile times can drop below twelve seconds with the right driver. Zero to one hundred to zero takes about 13-seconds. Top speed is only a couple mph short of 200!

Big wheels, tires and brakes are necessary to handle the Z06’s performance potential. The front wheels are 18x9.5 with 275/35ZR18 Goodyear Eagle tires. The rear wheels are 19x12 with 325/30ZR19 tires. Those are some real steamrollers. Front brakes feature 14-inch rotors and the rears are 13.4-inches in diameter. Grip and stopping power is awesome.

Interior comfort, features, and materials are standard Corvette, which is to say excellent. The interior doesn’t match European luxury sports cars, but neither does the price. Luggage space is outstanding and the Heads Up Display is vital to such a wickedly quick car.

Whines: We prefer mechanical door handles to the Corvette’s solenoid buttons. They work fine, but we like a direct linkage lever for emergency exits.

Bottom Line: People should buy a Z06 Corvette if for no other reason than to thank GM for making such awesome cars. The 2007 Corvette Z06 is far more car than anyone truly needs, but the fact that you can walk into your local Chevrolet dealership and purchase such an engineering marvel is one of those things that make America so great.