Corvette Z06, a 680 hp “beast”

After its revolutionary rear mid-engine architecture change, the iconic Chevrolet raises the bar with this version which is even more powerful, sporty, radical and even, according to some, more beautiful than the Stingray. Chevrolet presented the new Corvette Z06, in two versions, coupé and convertible.

The highlight of the new Z06 is undoubtedly his 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 with flat crankshaft, known as LT6. This engine is directly related to the V8 used in the C8.R which competes in endurance, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The flat-plane crankshaft, usually used by Ferrari, is not so “famous” in American supercars, so much so that GM (owner of the Chevrolet brand) used it, before this Corvette, only in Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, a model that never officially arrived in Europe.

This rather unusual technical choice favors above all high revs. In fact, the 679 hp are obtained at 8,400 rpm. After this point, the engine can continue to rise up to cut-off, which occurs at 8,600 rpm. On the other hand, with this solution and without the aid of supercharging, the engine torque is significantly lower in the new Z06 compared to the previous generation, which was equipped with a 6.2 V8 and supercharger.

The new Z06 in fact delivers 623 Nm of maximum torque at 6,300 rpm . Compared to the previous Z06, the new loses 258 Nm change standard eight-speed dual clutch helps compensate for this with a shorter gear ratio. Chevrolet has not revealed the 0 to 100 km / h of its new base version model, but everything indicates that it should drop below 3 seconds. In any case, with the package Z07 optional, Chevrolet announces a 0 to 60 mph (96 km / h) in 2.6 seconds.

Chevrolet confirms the Corvette Z06 also for the European market

The main changes that Chevrolet has made to the Z06 compared to the Stingray concern the new silent blocks, including those of the engine block, and the presence in the standard equipment of Magnetic Ride Control shock absorbers 4.0 at GM.

Also, the brake discs are larger than the Stingray and with six-piston calipers at the front (Brembo series system), a new bumper, wings widened by 30 mm at the front and 40 mm at the rear and a series of aerodynamic appendages, such as new air intakes or a rear spoiler type Gurney o ducktail.

The car is fitted with large Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 275/30 ZR 20 front and 345/25 ZR 21 rear tires on alloy or, optionally, carbon fiber rims, which reduce unsprung mass by 18.6 kg.

Despite the changes, the new Z06 is not as radical as a model derived directly from a racing car could be. That role belongs to the C8 Z06 equipped with the package Z07.

This package includes a new rear spoiler, a specific Magnetic Ride shock absorber calibration, Brembo carbon-ceramic brake discs with six-piston calipers (optional on Zo6 base), carbon fiber rims and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ZP semi-sled tires.

Production of the new Corvette Z06 is not expected to start until mid-2022. So expect it to come marketed in Europe starting from 2023.