Chevrolet Corvette Z06: racing genes, wide body and new naturally aspirated V8

General Motors has fully unveiled the most powerful version of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 mid-engined supercar to date. Its 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine develops a maximum power of 679 hp and 623 Nm. Sales will begin in the second half of next year.

The base eighth-generation Corvette Stingray debuted in the summer of 2019 – the supercar changed its layout from re-engined to mid-engined, but the engine itself remained the same: a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter 16-valve V8 LT2 with a maximum output of 502 hp and 637 Nm. The octave Corvette's chassis can handle much more power, and the Z06 version has finally made its debut. This suffix was first used for the second generation Corvette in 1963 and meant a package for a road car designed for racing. The new Corvette Z06 has been completely redesigned, with the IMSA championship track Corvette C8.R adapted to the road car.

First, the Corvette Z06 received from its racing cousin a new 5.5-liter short-stroke, high-revving LT6 V8 with a so-called flat crankshaft, four overhead camshafts (32 valves) and a dry sump lubrication system. Aluminum monoblock but with cast iron liners, forged aluminum pistons, forged titanium connecting rods. Bore 104.25 mm, stroke 80 mm, limiting speed 8600 rpm. Direct injection at a pressure of 350 bar. The compression ratio is 12.5. Maximum power – 679 hp at 8400 rpm, maximum torque – 623 Nm at 6300 Nm. Notice how much space there is around the exhaust manifolds: a future even more powerful version of the ZR1 will have turbochargers here.

The gearbox is the same as the base Corvette Stingray, which is an 8-speed Tremec DCT (dual-clutch) automatic transmission, but with a shorter final drive (5.56) all power is sent to the rear wheels via an electronically controlled limited slip differential. Dynamic features have not yet been announced.

The Corvette Z06 has a wider track (+30mm front and +40mm rear) and a correspondingly wider body with new, more aggressive looking bumpers and larger air intakes. A new aerodynamic body kit with a short rear spoiler offers an additional 165.6kg of downforce at 300km/h and a carbon fiber strut wing on the optional Z07 package of 333kg.

The Corvette Z06 comes standard with Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0 adjustable adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes with 370mm front (6-piston calipers) and 380mm rear (4-piston calipers) discs, Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Size 4S ZP. 275/30 ZR 20 front and 345/25 ZR 21 rear.

The Z07 package, in addition to the aforementioned wing, includes a carbon fiber aerodynamic body kit, special adaptive damping settings, Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires and 398mm front and 391mm rear front front rear carbon ceramic brake discs. With this package, the supercar is capable of handling up to 1.22g of lateral g-force.

As separate options, carbon fiber wheels are offered (in total, they reduce unsprung weight by 18.6 kg) and carbon fiber interior decor. The curb weight of the Corvette Z06 is “stuffed”, i.e. with the Z07 package and carbon wheels – 1561 kg (meaning the targa version, the hardtop convertible is a bit heavier).

Prices for the Corvette Z06 have not yet been announced, but it is known that right-hand drive versions will appear in the UK and Japan. Corvette has not been officially introduced recently.

In the US, the Corvette is now the absolute leader in the high-end sports car segment, with 24,748 units sold in the first three quarters of this year, while the Porsche 911 sold 6,729 units, the BMW 8 sold 5,601 units, condemned to the Mercedes-AMG GT's retirement – 2807 units, Lexus LC – 2372 units

In the future, the Corvette is expected to have a supercharged version of the Z01, as well as a hybrid version of the Zora with more than 1,000 hp, an all-electric version, and an additional product in the form of a crossover.