All that aside, which car would Pobst choose for track duty? "Automatic 'cause I have fifth gear," he said. "If I'm at a track where I don't need fifth, I might prefer the manual because I like the level of control." Pobst's issue with fifth gear was repeatedly hitting the dead space between fifth and seventh when attempting a four-five upshift at race speed with the manual transmission.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 center console

So that's what the racing driver thinks, but what about the mere mortals? We, too, like the automatic Z06 very much. Around town, it shifts very smoothly and is always ready to give you power if you request it, regardless of driving mode. The one-two upshift is occasionally stiff if you're aggressive with the throttle, but it feels as though the transmission is doing it to feel sporty rather than simply misbehaving. Driven hard, the transmission is very smart about which gear to be in when. Pobst had no issue with its gear choices on the track, and neither did we. From a driver's enjoyment perspective, we don't see any big drawback in choosing the auto over the manual, given that anyone making such a choice probably isn't a manual transmission purist to begin with. All that said, we did mention earlier the car responds a bit slowly to paddle shifter inputs, and its downshifts aren't dual-clutch quick, which some may find mildly frustrating. Finally, puttering around town with the exhaust valves closed, the automatic's choice of high gears and low rpm for fuel economy tends to create a droning exhaust tone that can get tiring. Best to drive it in Sport mode or lock those exhaust valves open.

All told, the Corvette Z06 automatic is a fantastic performance car and completely worthy of its coveted Z06 badge. The automatic transmission presents no serious detriment to even the above-average customer and can be just as fun to drive as the manual in the right hands. Chevrolet promised a car that drives and performs just as well as its manual transmission sibling, and this car just about delivers. It's not quite perfect, but damn is it close, and we have a feeling it will only get better.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Automatic (Z07 Package)
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door coupe
ENGINE	6.2L/650-hp/650-lb-ft supercharged OHV 16-valve V-8
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,550 lb (49/51%)
WHEELBASE	106.7 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT	177.9 x 77.4 x 48.6 in
0-60 MPH	3.2 sec
QUARTER MILE	11.2 sec @ 127.0 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	90 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	1.17 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	22.6 sec @ 1.01 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	13/21/16 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	259/160 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	1.24 lb/mile

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