Not long from now, a new buzz will be brewing at your local Chevrolet dealer. That will be the time when the 2023 Corvette Z06 arrives on the lot.
It was inevitable that the mid-engine Corvette would eventually have a performance package that would take the new American icon from being an amazing sports car to one that can take on all challengers and come out on top.
The new Z06 package is ready to arrive with the 2023 model, which gives us plenty of time to talk about what this car will be.
The Power is the Place to Start
General Motors states the engine for the new Corvette Z06 will be the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine in a production car. That means you’re not dealing with the added push of turbochargers or a supercharger; instead, you get pure muscle from a real V8 that can deliver the goods for you.
This new engine is a 5.5-liter flat-plane crank LT6 V8 model that is ready to push power to the wheels to give you incredible speed in this amazing sportscar. The output is rated at 670 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque to give you plenty of force to move this car down the track. This power is routed to the rear wheels through a Tremec eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that will ensure you have the right gear every second of your time behind the wheel.
How is this Power Harnessed?
Talking about the power of the engine for the new Corvette Z06 will be fun when you visit your local Chevrolet dealer, but does this car have the items to keep that power under control and directed where you need it to go?
Thankfully, the suspension of this new Chevy is a short/long arm double-wishbone layout in the front and rear to give you the control needed. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is available if you select the Z07 package, which is just a small step up from the Z06 model. Even if you don’t opt for this item, you’ll have the suspension that keeps you right where you need to be when rocketing around the track.
It Takes Brakes to Control the Power
You’re not going to drive the Corvette Z06 in a straight line all day, and even if you did, you’d eventually run out of road and need to stop. This is where the brakes come in. The front brakes of this car are Brembo six-piston models with 14.6-inch two-piece rotors. The rear brakes are Brembo four-piston models that have 15-inch rotors.
Once again, if you opt to move up to the Z07 package, you’ll add a set of carbon-ceramic brakes that are larger than the ones offered in the Z06 version. Both of these packages can give you the control needed to run through the turns with confidence and continue to provide you with the control needed to push your skills farther and see what you can do with this Corvette.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road in the Corvette
The wheels of the 2023 Corvette Z06 are staggered, which should be expected in a sports car of this ilk. All four wheels will wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP models that offer some of the stickiest performance on the track, where you’ll need the added friction of some great tires. The front wheels are 20 x 10-inch models, with the rear wheels being 21 x 13 inches in size to give you the right wheels to turn when you need to and push hard on a straight run when you’re looking for some extra speed.
Is This Car Bigger than the Standard Corvette?
The answer to this question is “yes.” The C8 Corvette Z06 you see at your local Chevrolet dealer is a bit larger than the Stingray model. The width is 79.7 inches, the track is 66.3 inches in the rear and 66.1 inches in the front, while the car is 184.6 inches long and rides on a wheelbase that is 107.2 inches. The new Corvette Z06 only stands 48.6 inches tall, which makes it low to the ground where it can rocket through the air. You’ll love the wider stance that makes this car the right one when you want amazing performance out on the road.
Not Much has Changed About the Interior
Most of the dimensions offered in the cabin area of the Corvette Z06 are the same as the Stingray. This means you’ll have a pair of seats, sporty items that give you the controls you want, a large screen that’s angled toward the driver, and upscale comfort expected of a glorious sports car. The roominess is translated into 37.9 inches of headroom, 42.8 inches of legroom, 54.4 inches for your shoulders, and 52 inches for your hips. This should be plenty for you and a friend to have a fantastic drive on your way to a night out.
How Heavy is this Corvette?
You won’t have two tons of machinery and muscle in the Corvette Z06, this car tips the scales at a paltry 3,434 pounds with the Z07 Performance Package and optional lightweight carbon fiber wheels installed. This means you’ll use more of the power for speed and not for lumbering down a road, which would be the case in much larger cars. You’ll find a small but useful 12.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, which is enough for you to carry a few bags with you when it’s time to have a weekend full of fun with your favorite person.
Is the New Corvette Right for You?
It won’t be long now; the 2023 Corvette Z06 will begin to arrive at dealerships in the next few months. When it does, will you visit your nearby Chevrolet dealer to see if this car is the one you want to take home? This version of the Corvette was inevitable, and it has everything you want a strong, impressive, and aggressive sports car to bring to your time on the road and track.
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