View Photos of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
See interior and exterior photos of Chevy’s new 670-hp, 8500-rpm supercar: an intoxicating thriller on the street and an iron-fisted killer on the track.
The Corvette engineering team put the already superb eighth-generation Corvette Stingray through a comprehensive upgrade to turn it into the track-eating Z06. The new model is built around its all-new, high-revving 5.5-liter V-8 with a flat-plane crankshaft, and the chassis and aerodynamics have been significantly revised to work with the new higher-power engine.
The Z06's new 5.5-liter, naturally aspirated 670-hp V-8 screams to 8500 rpm and produces 460 pound-feet of torque at 6300 rpm. Its peaky character is the complete opposite of the C7 Z06's supercharged small-block, which delivered tremendous low-end torque but redlined at 6500 rpm.
The Z06 model is available for both Corvette body styles—the hardtop convertible (pictured) and the targa-top coupe. Because the C8 was designed from the outset to be an open-roof car, the structure is the same for both models and did not have to be reinforced to handle the Z06's additional power and stiffer suspension.
The Z06's chassis components are unchanged from those on the base Stingray, but the suspension has been significantly revised to work with the new car's additional 180 horsepower and huge tires. Spring rates are up 30 percent—40 percent in the Z07 track model—bushings are stiffer, and the MagneRide dampers have been retuned to suit.
Thanks to the Z06 engine's flat-plane crankshaft, its sound is now much closer to that of Ferrari and Lamborghini V-8s than to virtually any previous Vette's—which have all run some version of the small-block pushrod V-8 with its conventional cross-plane crank. The new engine's sound as it approaches its 8500-rpm redline is an angry, intoxicating scream.
The Z06's aerodynamics have been revised from those on the C8 Stingray to supply more downforce. Base Z06s get improved rear spoilers, changes to the front underwing located under the nose, and rear bake-cooling ducts. The Z07s get the max-downforce aero package consisting of a large rear wing, an extended front splitter, front dive planes, underbody strakes, and a full front-end underwing.
All Z06s roll on fat rubber: 275/30ZR-20s in front and 345/25ZR-21s in the rear. The standard car is shod in the latest Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP tires while Z07s get super-aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ZPs. The latter are almost racing slicks.
Improvements were made to the Z06's thermal system to keep the temperature of the coolant, engine oil, and transaxle lubricant in check during track use. A front center radiator has been added—the base Stingray has only a pair of outboard radiators up front. Those outboard radiators have been enlarged, and more powerful cooling fans have been fitted. The body-side air scoops are significantly larger as are the coolers they feed.
Brembo makes the brakes for all Z06s. Base Z06s retain steel brake rotors and utilize six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. Z07s come standard with larger carbon-ceramic rotors and their own specific six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. Even the base brakes are rated for full-on track driving.
Though the Z06 is very much a track assassin, it can be ordered with every luxury item available on the base Stingray, from fancy leather to carbon-fiber trim—all of which can easily add 50 percent to its reasonable starting price.
Despite its muscled-up suspension, the new Z06 rides reasonably well—firmly, but still comfortable enough for daily use. Even the Z07 rides well enough to be daily-driven.
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z07
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z07
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z07
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z07
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z07
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z07
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z07
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