We knew that something big was coming when Chevy finally gave in and switched the Corvette from its conventional front-engine design to a mid-engine format. The result is the brand new C8 Corvette Stingray. And what many didn't know is that the new Corvette Z06 - particularly its naturally aspirated flat-plane V8 engine - was right in front of our eyes the whole time, in the form of the Chevy C8.R race car, which was introduced in 2020.
The Chevy Corvette Z06 2023 is now unveiled, and purists will appreciate the main reason for the engine relocation. "Practically every component that distinguishes the Z06 has been developed to support or improve its capabilities," said Tadge Jüchter, chief engineer of Corvette. "Racing was the reason the Z06 was conceived in 1963, and it continues to support the development of road models that make them better on the street and on the track.
Chevrolet developed the first Corvette Z06 in 1963 to dominate the racetrack, but over time, the Z06 has embodied the symbiosis of a race-ready supercar. "The new Corvette Z06 defines the American supercar," said General Motors President Mark Reuss. "It builds on the distinctive design and groundbreaking dynamics introduced with the mid-engine Corvette and elevates them to offer refined yet uncompromising track capability with world-class performance.
The Chevy Corvette Z06 2023 features an entirely new
5.5-liter naturally aspirated LT6 V8 engine that delivers 670 horsepower and
460 lb-ft of torque. There is no manual transmission, but Chevy has given the
standard eight-speed dual-clutch transmission a shorter final drive ratio of
5.56:1 to achieve even faster acceleration.
Thus, the LT6 is the most powerful V8 naturally aspirated engine ever produced, with its peak power output delivered at a stratospheric 8,400 RPM (a mere 200 RPM short of the 8,400 RPM redline for fuel delivery), and its maximum torque output at 6,300 RPM.
Rather than installing a compressor on a pushrod-valvetrain, GM insists on utilizing a flat-plane crankshaft, titanium connecting rods, and intake valves to suppress the reciprocating mass or "shake" that occurs in flat-plane V8 engines with oversized bores. Furthermore, all 32 valves are equipped with two springs to prevent valve float at higher engine speeds, while the direct-acting finger followers do not require valve lash adjustment throughout the engine's lifespan.
The new LT6 engine reaching nearly 9,000 revolutions per minute produces an intoxicating sound akin to that of the C8.R race car. Chevrolet has released a film titled "Putting the World On Notice" to celebrate the debut of the Corvette Z06, where you can hear the LT6 screaming at the top of its lungs.
Performance at the Core
The Chevy Corvette Z06 2023 is essentially the Corvette C8.R, and that's a good thing. The Z06 rides on the same chassis and has similar exterior proportions as the Corvette C8.R. However, it receives a 3.6-inch wider body with custom front and rear fascias to improve cooling and aerodynamics. Additionally, it features a reconfigurable rear wing with adjustable trailing edges (or wickers) to maximize grip and downforce.
"By leveraging the benefits of mid-engine architecture,
we achieve six percent more downforce than a seventh-generation ZR1 with eight
percent less aerodynamic drag," Jüchter said.
The Z06 comes standard with forged 20-inch front and 21-inch rear lightweight alloy wheels, which are available in five different designs and each wrapped in custom Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP tires. If you prefer an even more aggressive setup, there is an optional carbon fiber wheel package that reduces unsprung mass by up to 18.6 kg.
Z06 Performance Package
The Z06 Performance Package includes Michelin Sport Cup 2 ZR P racing tires (specially developed for the Corvette Z06), Brembo six-piston front brakes (15.7-inch discs at the front and 15.4-inch discs at the rear), Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension, and a carbon fiber aero package with a carbon fiber front splitter, underbody shield, front corner extensions, and a carbon fiber rear wing.
Custom Craftsmanship for the Interior
Previous Corvettes were not exactly known for their high-quality interior, but the C8 Corvette has changed all of that. Gone are the dull plastics, replaced with soft-touch and premium materials typically found in German or Italian supercars.
"The Z06 exudes an aura of raw power and performance with bespoke craftsmanship," says Phil Zak, Executive Design Director at Chevrolet, "from the wide array of chiseled surfaces to the premium and carbon fiber materials."
Buyers have the choice of seven interior colors (expandable to thousands of color combinations), three seat options, six belt options, and two available carbon fiber interior options. The available Carbon Interior Package also offers a carbon fiber steering wheel, carbon fiber shift paddles, and carbon fiber trim. The Z06 is also available in up to twelve exterior colors, seven wheel packages, and six brake caliper colors to ensure that no two Corvette Z06 models are alike.
Chevy Corvette Z06 2023: Prices & Availability
The prices for the Chevy Corvette Z06 2023 are not yet
confirmed, but we expect the starting price to be around €92,000 MSRP.
Production will begin in summer 2022 at the Bowling Green Assembly plant in
Kentucky. The new Corvette Z06 is available as a coupe and convertible (with a
hardtop roof) in left- and right-hand drive configurations.