For a Second Year in a Row, Road & Track Readers Name Chevrolet Corvette Best Car

America Wins Best Car Again, While Italian Exotics Continue to Capture Our Dreams

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Dec. 14 -- The ballots are in! Car enthusiasts have voted for the third-annual Road & Track Readers' Choice Award: The Best Car 2006. And the winner is ... the Chevrolet Corvette.

This marks the second year in a row Road & Track readers have declared the Corvette as the winner. Last year, it was the completely redesigned C6 that received the honor. This year, the high-performance 505-bhp Z06 led the remaining 11 Best Car finalists and never looked back. America's favorite sports car garnered nearly three times as many votes as its closest competitor.

"The Chevrolet Corvette is an American sports-car icon," said Patrick Hong, senior technical editor, Road & Track. "But with the latest iteration of the Z06, the Corvette's performance and refinement have been elevated, making it a true competitor against the world's best."

With a list price (MSRP) of $65,800, the Corvette boasts 505bhp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and the quarter mile accomplished in 12.2 sec., 0.99g around Road & Track's 200-ft.-diameter skidpad and 69.6 mph through the magazine's 700-ft slalom. Its massive brakes stop the car from 60 and 80 mph in a short 109 ft. and 197 ft. Much attention has been paid to the Z06's aerodynamics: Details such as a splitter underneath the front fascia, recontoured front fenders with larger side ducts, a small scoop on the hood and rear-brake cooling ducts all contribute to the car's impressible 0.34 drag coefficient and it s high-speed stability. Hidden under the hood is an endurance-racing-inspired 7.0-liter powerplant residing in an aluminum and magnesium frame. On the street, the high-performance Corvette cruises effortlessly, thanks to its abundant low-end torque and confidence-inspired traction.

Road & Track Readers' Choice Award: Dream Car 2006

In addition, Road & Track readers also named the Ferrari F430 Spider Dream Car 2006. Taking nearly 40% of our readers' votes, the F430 Spider wins thanks to its sexy looks, alluring Formula 1-inspired engine note and a phenomenal driving experience.

"Armed with a potential 483-bph V-8 engine and all-around double-wishbone suspension, the Spider is incredibly exciting to drive," said Hong. "Weighing in just 154 lb. heavier than the coupe, the open-top F430 is just a few ticks off in acceleration compared with its berlinetta sibling. Zero to 60 mph is accomplished in 4.0 sec., and the quarter mile is covered in 12.3 sec. at 116.9 mph. On handling, the Spider recorded an impressive average speed of 70.9 mph through Road & Track's 700-ft. slalom test."

Eligibility for Road & Track Readers' Choice Award: Best Car 2006

To be eligible for the Best Car 2006 award, every car must have what it takes to be an enthusiast's car -- above-average performance and handling, pleasing design and space and fuel-efficiency -- as well as the following criteria:

  -an all-new model or a model with significant upgrades

  -a model-year 2006 designation

  -a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than $100,000