Every Time We've Seen and Heard the 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06
The first of the upcoming high-performance C8 Corvettes will arrive on October 26, and you'll want to hear its 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 scream.
Chevrolet will debut the C8 Corvette Z06 October 26, and it'll be the first of the upcoming high-performance derivatives that are expected to also include the ZR1 and a hybrid model. The Z06 will use a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft similar to a Ferrari V-8, and it should produce upwards of 600 horsepower. It'll provide high-revving aural bliss all the way up to its 9000-rpm redline, and we've heard it testing a few times already. Before it makes its debut in a few months, these are all the times we've seen or heard the new Z06 revving its V-8 and all the details we know so far.
The Z06 Accelerating
A video posted to YouTube by GM Authority showed a C8 Corvette Z06 prototype accelerating into GM's proving grounds in Milford, Michigan. We knew it was the Z06 because the sound is higher-pitched and smoother than the C8 Corvette Stingray's cross-plane-crank V-8.
Testing Alongside a Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Chevrolet was benchmarking several C8 prototypes against a Ferrari 458 Italia, which uses a flat-plane-crank V-8 like the Z06, and a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which has a twin-turbocharged flat-six. We suspect that Chevy could have been testing the upcoming ZR1 model, too, which is expected to bolt a pair of turbochargers to the 5.5-liter V-8.
Launch Control
Our spy videographer caught a Z06 testing its launch control system on General Motors' north-south straight at its proving grounds. We can't wait to do this ourselves and see how quick the Z06 is in a straight line.
Listen to the Z06's Engine Revving
Chevy shared an audio clip of the new Z06's naturally aspirated 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 revving and accelerating. This is the clearest sound yet. You'll want headphones for all of them, but especially for this one.
The First Clear Look
Chevrolet was testing prototypes of the C8 Z06 on the Nürburgring and removed most of the camo that was hiding visual and aerodynamic details (including the wheels) on other test cars. This one has a larger rear wing, which we expect is included in the track-focused Z07 Performance package.
Levels of Equipment
The standard Z06 (pictured) will have less aggressive aerodynamic elements. The Z07 Performance package should include things such as a more aggressive front splitter, the larger wing, a stiffer suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and carbon-fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. Both of these Z06s have a quad-tip center-exit exhaust compared to the C8 Stingray's two exhaust tips on either corner.
Debut Announced
Chevrolet announced that the Z06 will debut on October 26 by sharing a video of a camouflaged prototype driving alongside the C8.R race car, which also uses a 5.5-liter flat-plane V-8. The video shows the prototype car testing at the Nürburgring and the Circuit de la Sarthe, the track where the C8.R will race in the 24 hours of Le Mans.
First Official Photo
Chevrolet shared the first non-camouflaged image of the C8 Corvette Z06, and it shows the standard car not equipped with the track-focused Z07 Performance package.
Sitting on the floor of the library and poring over issues of Car and Driver is one of Connor Hoffman's earliest memories. Choosing to attend the nation's top-ranked journalism school at the University of Missouri and graduating with a magazine writing emphasis was all part of chasing his dream of writing for Car and Driver. When he's not bragging about Mizzou having the best journalism program in the country, he's probably on a rant about Toyota trucks.
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