Out there, somewhere. Out where red dirt meets black asphalt, and the miles melt under a brutal sun, slipping into sunsets better described by poets, songwriters and artists searching for earthy inspiration.

I need no such inspiration. Not on this trip. For under my feet is a machine, a work of metal and plastic that melds beast and beauty into a single, stunning 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. This is the reason people fall in love with automobiles, why auction halls are full of yesteryear’s Corvettes, and why, after a long and shameful absence, the Corvette is right back at the top of the list of everyman’s dream car.

Check your gold medallion at the door, fellas. There’s no need for excuses or pardon-mes with this latest iteration of The American Classic. This Corvette – sometimes known by the semi-insulting nickname ‘Vette – answers its critics with a prolonged shout from 400 horsepower, the spirit of 400 lb.-ft. of torque, handling that straightens corners, and a style that will likely make Barrett Jackson auctioneers smile. Ah, but looking at the machine isn’t enough. You must drive it. You MUST, if you appreciate a fast ride and a gruff attitude.

It’s about time. Past time, really, for the masters of Detroit metal to build a car that takes a whip to its overseas opposition and puts the sheen back on a brand in need of some spit ‘n polish. It would be easier if all new Chevys had a similar character, instilled with the inspiration and seriousness of the 2006 Corvette. Here is a good start that will, we plead, not go to waste under the heavy weight of bad cars and big rebates. Not even the new Corvette could shoulder that kind of a load, which is saying something, as this is a car that will handle just about anything a good driver can throw at it, smile and sit up straight for more.

On wide-open roads, the Corvette is a master, powered by a new 6.0-liter engine – the largest standard engine ever offered in a Corvette – that generates that beautiful 400/400 combination of horsepower and torque. You get from 0 to 60 in one long yeehaw, otherwise notated by GM at 4.2 seconds, quicker than the Porsche 911 Carrera. But then you know how good Corvettes are in a straight line. This one is better at that, true, but its most notable improvement is in the corners – generally a place where past, heavier Corvettes would shriek and dance around. The magnetic ride control suspension set up offers three modes, and feels as though it has been carefully calibrated to maximize driver feel, especially in Sport mode. The improvements made to the suspension are clearly evident during aggressive driving and casual cruising, though in some instances the ride felt floaty and disengaged. A lighter weight and better design proportions also help with cornering, and equate into a much better all-around ride. Plus, as you come out on the other side of that corner, you have the inviting notion of all that succulent 400/400 power.

Controlling that power are two new transmissions: An automatic (ugh) and a six-speed manual that feels lighter, shifts tighter and adapts to daily driving chores, such as stop-n-go and traffic. Ah. Traffic. While it’s nice to have a car that trims corners and provides world-class power, as the everyman dream car the Corvette also must take on errands and day-to-day drudgery. To that, the 2006 version does a better job of providing a quiet, comfortable ride. The interior is vastly improved, but not quite where it needs to be when the price tag is over $40K, and zooms past $50,000 for the convertible. The technology at hand – head’s up speedo, OnStar and more – is impressive, but the keyless start that GM is so proud of is much too complicated and, ultimately, just not something a Corvette dreamer needs. Other than that and an interior that’s halfway to the Promised Land, the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette is everything a red-blooded American car enthusiast dreamer could conjure up. – Brian Chee

Photos courtesy of General Motors