Oshawa: The next chapter in the mid-engine Corvette journey has begun with the introduction of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, a new American supercar that puts the world on notice.
Arriving two years after the first production mid-engine Corvette Stingray debuted and captivated a worldwide audience, the Z06 is designed and engineered to act as a precision tool for the track.
The Z06’s striking appearance, sound and tactile feel are the result of intense focus. With new, wider sculpted front and rear fascia designs that define a confident stance and exotic proportions, and a luxuriously appointed interior, the Z06 is the ultimate supercar experience.
“Since its introduction in 2020, the mid-engine Stingray has been sold out and demand remains strong. This new Z06 is the next chapter for Corvette, and a model we know many Canadian enthusiasts have been patiently waiting for,” said Michael MacPhee, brand director, Chevrolet Canada.
“It is the fastest, most powerful Z06 yet, with increased levels of craftsmanship, personalization and performance that will reward customers who choose to explore its limits.”
While the Z06 was created to dominate on the track when it debuted in 1963, the Z06 nameplate has also come to symbolize the perfect combination of track beast and 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 deliver refined but uncompromising track capability, with world-class performance.”
The Z06 is set apart by its beating heart – the all-new 5.5L LT6, the highest horsepower, naturally aspirated V8 to hit the market in any production car, ever. An all-new flat-plane crankshaft design entices drivers on the track to push the tachometer to a lofty 8,600 rpm, creating 670 horsepower.
Engineers spent two years crafting a distinctive, rich exhaust tone that’s unlike anything heard before from a Corvette. Racing at its core The sound and appearance of the Z06 take direction from Corvette Racing.
The direct knowledge transfer from the track to the street has never been more evident. The Z06 chassis has underpinned Corvette Racing’s C8.R since it began competing in 2020. Thanks to a shared chassis and similar engine architecture and exterior proportions, the C8.R has been referred to internally as the Z06 hiding in plain sight.
“Racing was the reason the Z06 was developed in the first place in 1963, and it continues to support development of the road models that make them better on the street and the track,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette.
“It also means we’ve tested the Z06 on the best tracks around the world, from Circuit of the Americas in the United States, to the Nürburgring in Germany.”
The Corvette C8.R shined during IMSA’s 2020 sports car championship series, capturing six victories and seven pole positions, and setting the fastest class race laps in six events. During the 2020 series, Chevrolet won the GT Manufacturers title – its 13th since 2001. Jordan Taylor and Antonio Garcia and the No. 3 Corvette C8.R crew won the GTLM Drivers and Team championships.
The performance envelope of Z06 builds on the foundation laid by Stingray, as does Z06’s design language and attention to detail. Expanded material offerings, new interior packages and features unique to Z06 enable owners to create their own bespoke American supercar.
Additional highlights of the 2023 Corvette Z06 include:
• A stance 3.6 inches (9.4 cm) wider than the Stingray, accommodating massive 345-series rear tires and more airflow through side air vents
• Unique front and rear fascias, a first for Z06. The front fascia is designed to optimize the Z06’s cooling needs, including channeling air to a centre heat exchanger, which is one of five for maximum cooling performance
• A unique, standard reconfigurable rear spoiler with adjustable wickerbill elements designed to improve high-speed stability and cornering capability on a racetrack
• Standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminum “spider” wheels (with five available finishes) — the largest wheels ever available on a production Corvette
• Available lightweight and rigid carbon fibre wheels that deliver a 41-pound (18.6 kg) reduction in unsprung mass, which contributes to more agile and responsive handling
• Specific suspension tuning, including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and larger brakes (6-piston front) than the Stingray, contribute to making the 2023 Corvette Z06 the most track-capable Corvette ever
• Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a specific, “shorter” 5.56 final drive ratio compared to the Corvette Stingray, which enhances acceleration capability
• Elevated cockpit surrounding the driver, with rich materials and textures, including more carbon fibre trim and new options
• Available Z07 performance package that offers the greatest track capability and provides 734pounds of downforce at 299 km/h (186 mph), more than any Corvette ever. It includes a carbon fibre high rear wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration and unique Michelin® Cup 2 R ZP tires, along with Brembo® carbon ceramic brakes and optional carbon fibre wheels “Virtually every component that distinguishes the Z06 was developed to support or enhance its capability,” said Juechter.
“By leveraging the mid-engine architecture’s inherent advantages, we are able to achieve six percent more downforce than a seventhgen ZR1 at eight percent lower drag.”
All-new LT6 The 2023 Corvette Z06 debuts an all-new 5.5L DOHC V-8 engine that marks a return to natural aspiration for the track-capable performance model. Engine responsiveness and trackability, two characteristics of naturally aspirated motors, were the top priorities for providing an engaging driving experience for purists.
As a result, it was determined that a clean sheet naturally aspirated powerplant was needed, with the goal of exceeding the power of any naturally aspirated production V-8 engine ever made. A lightweight, flat-plane crank design enables the engine to rev to the high RPMs needed to create significant power. More than horsepower, the new LT6 is designed to complement all aspects of the Z06’s trackfocused performance experience.
From its 8,600-rpm redline and full racing-style dry-sump oiling system, to meticulously tuned induction and exhaust systems, this engine exudes an entirely new and emotional character.
