Even in an era where carmakers are increasingly conscious about being efficient and environmentally sound, performance is still very much on their minds. American carmaker Chevrolet is no different, as it pulls the wraps off its newest ode to speed: the 2023 Corvette Z06.
All-New 2023 Corvette Z06 Reveal
This latest American supercar is the fifth in a line of Z06 generations dating back to 1963. It follows the C8 which made its debut in 2019, the first Corvette to have the engine mounted just before the rear axle. Chevrolet says the Z06 has been engineered to look, sound, and drive as a machine worthy of the track, especially as it packs an all-new 5.5-liter engine, the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 on any production car.
The 2023 Corvette Z06 takes its cues from Chevrolet Racing's C8.R race car
“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.”
Exterior
The new Corvette Z06 adopts the C8’s basic form and introduces its own tweaks that not only look stylish, but also enhance aerodynamics, cooling, and handling. It features a stance that’s 94mm wider than the C8 Stingray, still displaying the raked-back LED headlamps flanking the sculpted clamshell hood. The revised fascia features a front splitter and larger vents that drive clean air into a center heat exchanger, cooling down the engine, brakes, and transaxle in the heat of racing.
Aerodynamic tweaks surround the body of the Z06
Wider fenders house upsized 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels, wrapped in tires that stand up to 40mm wider than those on the standard model. Floating exhaust bezels at the back enable precision tuning of the exhaust note, with larger air intakes on the rear fender able to meet the car’s more demanding cooling requirements. The unique rear spoiler comes with a detachable wickerbill that generates an additional 165.6 kg. of downforce at 300 kilometers per hour.
Interior
Similar to the Stingray, the 2023 Corvette Z06’s driver-focused cockpit boasts premium hand-wrapped leather. The standard palette of seven interior colors can be mixed and matched to produce a wide array of combinations, along with a choice of three seats and six seatbelt options. Large Corvette logos adorn the seat headrests, while the interior trim, console, instrument panel, and door panels can be decked out in carbon fiber with the Interior Package Level 2, exclusive to the Corvette Z06.
The cockpit retains the same layout as the C8 Stingray
“To match its performance, the Z06 is an elevated execution of the eight-generation design,” notes Chevrolet Executive Design Director Phil Zak. “From its wide planted stance with sculpted surfaces to its premium and carbon fiber materials, the Z06 instills an aura of raw power and performance with bespoke craftsmanship.”
Tech & safety
Beyond the racing steering wheel wrapped in leather and carbon fiber lies a 12-inch fully digital instrument cluster that’s fully customizable. This is accompanied by a driver-facing central touchscreen loaded with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. An available Cosworth Toolbox performance data recorder lets owners review lap metrics on race days while functioning as a dashcam on regular commutes.
Performance-oriented capabilities make the Corvette Z06 a force on the track
The new Corvette Z06 carries over the array of performance features found on the Stingray, including Launch Control, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control, and Traction Control with Weather Mode. An electronic limited slip differential is fitted as standard, balancing between steering response and driving stability across a range of road conditions. Safety features include front and side airbags, Standard Rear Park Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Engine & drivetrain
Driving the new Corvette Z06 is a 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine, replacing the traditional overhead valves with dual overhead camshafts. This is hand-built by master engine builders at Chevrolet’s Performance Build Center in Kentucky, with a unique plaque on the engine manifold bearing the signature of the technician who put it together.
The hand-built V8 engine packs 670 horsepower
Utilizing a lightweight, flat-plane crank design, the power plant can summon up to 670 horsepower and 623 Nm of torque, redlining at 8,600 rpm. Power is routed to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The suspension system has been calibrated with Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, while a Brembo carbon ceramic brake system provides serious stopping power.
Pricing
Chevrolet has yet to release pricing information for the 2023 Corvette Z06, but pricing has been estimated at $90,000 (Php 4.57 million). It is expected to be available in the summer of 2022.
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