- Acti

From page 45
aluminum driveshat.

Revised suspension

The Z06 features a
unique FES suspension
which is not available on
vther Corvette models, It
features a larger front stabi-
lizer bar, stiffer rear leaf.
spring and revised camber
settings,

The Z06’s special forged-
aluminum wheels are an inch
wider than those used on
coupes and convertibles and
its new Goodyear Eagle F}
Supercar tires :
(P265/40ZR17 front,
P295/35ZRI18S rear) are
lighter, wider and stickier
than the Eagle Fl GS EMT
run-flat tires on the 2001 ~
Corvette coupe and convert-
ible. The. four 034i ove igh

ilograms 4 ess
than the run-flat tires. This
reduces the “unsprung”

weight of the car, contribu:

ing to better. handling and,
ride. :

juncture

a Spare tire, a :
ator kit is

sealant and ii

‘included with. the car. ‘es
: However, I’m not sure if this .
would be effective in case of
-a major blowout...
All told, the 206 is 16 kg
2. (36 Ib.) lighter thanthe
-. 2000 model Corvette hard-..-

~ As the Z06 does fot have _

ST AORN A ARES EOP NCL OEE EINE EL IERIE NY, SE CL

ve Handi

top, and 53 ke (117 Ib.)
lighter than the 2001 coupe
and convertible,

Second-generation active

handling system

An important advance-
ment for 2001 is the second-
generation Active Handling
System and an improved
traction control system. In
the event of loss of control,
the Active Handling System
uses acceleration and vaw
rate sensors to instruct a
computer to auiomatically
brake individual wheels and
retard the throttle to regain
vehicle control. (This system
can be switched off). The
previous Active Handling
System was considered too
intrusive by many drivers, so
Corvette engineers upgraded
this new system to be more
subtle. Active Handling is
standard on all Corvettes for

2001.

Driving i impressions

2. Getting into the Corvette .
. 206 means getting down —

this is a low car! Once in to
the body-hugging bucket
seats, the driver locks over
the muscular hood with its
raised fender bulges and the
raised centre section...
Queward visibility is good
despite the low driving posi-.
tion. The big rear window in
particular ‘provides excellent

ing Standard

rear and rear three-quarter
4 isic aT

The driver faces large
round gauges including a
300 kni/h speedometer and
a tachometer with 2 6,500
rpm. redline. There are also
of pressure, coolant, fuel

and battery gauges, anda
comprehensive tip computer
just to the right of the
gauges.

In the centre dash area is
an AM/FM /cassette/CD
player and automatic climate
control with separate driver
and passenger temperature
settings (not spartan by any
means!)

The one-piece high-back °
bucket seats have prominent
side beisters for support and
the centre tunnel is fairly
high. The big gear shift knob
is positioned fairly high but
is easy to grab. The design
and shape of the controls is
significantly better than pre-
1997 Corvettes, but a stor-

©. age bin under the centre. .

armrest is Father shallow, and ©

* there’s only one cupholder

just to the right of the gear _
lever. °

‘- Behind the seats is an -
open trunk compartment
that’s also accessible from
outside by a trunklid. With

377 litres of cargo space, the

Corvette has as much car;
room as a small sedan! O

‘course, one of the reasons

“« Roomiest and safest car in its class
The most standard equipment in its class“ -
The most environmentally friendly in its class.
The best fuel economy in its class.

orveites

offer. The gear shift lever has
a large, leather-covered knob
that’s easy to grab and has a
strong, mechanical feel that
complements the macho a
appeal of this car. Engage the
fairly ight clutch and the .

= F would recommend
installing a net or wall just
behind the seats.
Turn the ignition key, and

the high-performance | S6

5.7 litre-V8 rumbles to tite
with the distinctive, deep-
throated sound that only
North American V8s can -

for this is that the Z06 has
no spare tire. A deep well
where the spare tire was pro-
vides additional trunk space.
One problem: since the
trunk is open to the passen-
ger compartment, it’s possi-
ble for items tu be thrown
forwards under panic braking See Make page 47
as a eS EY

ATTENTION!

Complete mechanical & electrical repairs
by factory trained technician
IMPEX AUTO 1166A West 14th Street Tei: 985-6237
(oft Peraberton Ave., entrance at rear) :

TSRROTVE va

[FALL SPECIALS 2

f ALL SERVICE BY GOVT. REGISTERED TECHNICIANS

Lupe, Ou & FILrer.

| Check batiery, antifreeze, belts & hoses. ~

Slires & brakes, visual inspection report” he, of erie
Possibly North Shores most professional lube Jobs. .

Super Lupe-dMasor CHECK
Ail above with written B.C.AA., inspection ~$
~£3 report, rotate tires, top up all fluids road test.

OPT. ALIGN. CHK. PRINTED REPORT $15. few s a

Finest cordiess Hunter cornputerized —
alignment, by certified technicians, .
produces full before & after report &

: technicians road test - your choice

Fuel Injection, etc... |
* Brake linings & rnuffier lifetime
"rice etc ia

4176 . North Van. TALKING -
(8 biks South of Mariya Drive) pee OW PAGES