- The Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 is the first high-performance version of the C8 Corvette, and you might be wondering what you get for the roughly $30,000 premium over the base Stingray coupe.
- The most significant difference between the Z06 and the base Stingray is the completely redesigned engine, which increases the Corvette's horsepower from 490 to 670 and increases its redline from 6450 rpm to an insane 8600 rpm.
- There are other ways in which the Z06 is simply larger: the body width, wheels and tires, brakes, and rear wing are all larger than they were on the previous model.
Chevrolet will release a few high-performance C8 Corvette models in the next couple of years, including the Corvette Z06. Because it is the first of these vehicles to hit the market, we anticipate that it will provide pure driving enjoyment. There are some significant differences between the Z06 and the base C8 Stingray, as well as some minor differences, but we'll go over them all to explain how the Z06 elevates the mid-engine sports car to a higher level of performance.
Engines
The C8 Stingray, which debuted in 2020, was the first Corvette to be built on a mid-engine platform. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is mated to a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 that produces 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque (495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet with the Z51 Performance package), and the vehicle is equipped with all-wheel drive. We were able to accelerate the C8 Stingray from zero to sixty miles per hour in 2.8 seconds on the way to a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds at 122 miles per hour. A brand-new engine was developed specifically for the Z06, and it is a 5.5-liter V-8 with a flat-plane crankshaft that is naturally aspirated and has double overhead cams. It generates 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful free-breathing V-8 engine ever installed in a road car, according to the manufacturer. It sends all of that power to the eight-speed DCT, but it has a shorter final-drive ratio than the previous generation. It will get better. The 5.5-liter engine, dubbed the LT6, can rev all the way up to 8600 rpm and produces a roaring sound. The fuel cutoff for the Stingray's 6.2-liter V-8 engine is set at 6500 rpm. The LT6 is expected to be fitted with a pair of turbochargers in the upcoming ZR1 variant, increasing power to well over 800 horsepower.
Chassis
The Z06's control-arm suspension has been specially tuned by Chevrolet, and magnetorheological dampers are included as standard. On the Stingray, they were $1895 each. Additionally, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, which is also available as an option on the Stingray, is included as standard.
Because the Z06's brakes are 1.2 inches larger than the Brembos included in the Stingray's Z51 package, and the Z06's front calipers have six pistons, as opposed to the Stingray's four pistons, the Z06's brakes provide better stopping power. The Z06's track-focused Z07 package includes carbon-ceramic rotors, which are an industry first.
Corvette Stingrays have tires with dimensions of 245/35 up front and 305/30 out back, while the Z06's rubber has dimensions of 275/30 up front and 345/25 out back. In addition to Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, the C8 Stingray's optional Z51 Performance package includes Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Although carbon-fiber wheels and Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, which were specifically designed for the Z06, are standard on Z06s at the front and rear, carbon-fiber wheels and Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, which were specifically designed for the Z06, are also available. The Z06 is 3.6 inches wider than the C8 Stingray, allowing it to accommodate the larger tires.
Some Z06s have a large rear wing, which you'll notice if you look closely. That package, which includes not only numerous other performance options but also aerodynamic tweaks such as the wing, as well as a front splitter and canards, which aid in cornering and stability, is installed on those vehicles. Cars that are not equipped with this package have a smaller adjustable spoiler than those that are. The front fascia is different from the Stingray's in that it allows air to feed into a center heat exchanger that better cools the powertrain. There is also more brake cooling, and the rear is also different from the Stingray's in that it has center quad-exit exhaust tips instead of the Stingray's. Its side air intakes have also been increased in size.
The Z06 is available in both coupe and convertible body styles, just like the Stingray. The same can be expected of the ZR1, which was available in both coupe and convertible configurations in the previous generation, but with even more aggressive aerodynamics.
Interior
Overall, the interior of the Z06 is identical to that of the Stingray, and there are three different seat options available. Although there are numerous other trim options available, the most notable are the two levels of carbon-fiber options available, as well as the option of aluminum trim. This includes a carbon-fiber steering wheel and paddle shifters made of carbon fiber. You can also choose from six different interior color schemes, including a completely red interior. A total of 12 exterior color options, seven wheel choices with a variety of finishes, and six brake caliper color options are available to go along with them.
Pricing
The starting price for the base 2022 Corvette Stingray coupe is $62,195. The price of the 2023 Corvette Z06 has not yet been announced, but we anticipate that it will begin around $90,000 when it does.