The Corvette is an American icon but the recipe was overhauled with the new generation Stingray especially with its more supercar pretensions. However, the all-new Z06 takes it to a whole new level with a more powerful engine and sharper dynamics. The Z06 is perhaps America’s best answer to take on the European supercar contingent and by the looks of things, aces them in a few areas too! The American track racer made its debut at the LA Auto Show and has no doubt been one of the biggest stars of the event with a lot of interest surrounding it.
In essence, it is a racing version of the road car with cheery picked ingredients to maximize its performance potential. The engine is at the heart of the matter with its naturally aspirated V8 powertrain now pumping out 670 horsepower. That makes it the fastest V8 without any intervention of turbochargers. The 5.5L LT6 V8 revs to 8600 rpm while having a befitting soundtrack too. We can only imagine how loud the V8 must be!
The motor is also hand-assembled by master engine builders at the Performance Build Center within the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Each engine features a plaque on the intake manifold with the signature of the technician who crafted it from start to finish. That further cements its status as an exclusive supercar rather than just a faster iteration of the Corvette.
That said, it isn’t just a more powerful engine being dropped onto the Corvette as the Z06 packs in some serious ammunition too. Having close ties with the racing version, the new Z06 has more aerodynamic properties and lightweight materials which further improves its performance. Having made its debut at the LA Auto Show, the new Z06 is much wider along with a track-focused vibe exuding from its design. The fenders are wider too with larger intakes and bigger wheels. Speaking of which, the Z07 package adds in a carbon fiber aero package with a larger front splitter, front-corner dive planes, a rear wing, and underbody strakes, Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires, carbon fiber wheels, and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.
The interior too is updated with an aura of a stripped-out road race thanks to a carbon fiber-wrapped steering wheel, shift paddles, and new carbon-fiber interior trim package level 2. The Z06 also features hand-wrapped leather interior options, including the all-new, available fully trimmed interior in Adrenaline Red. There are more personalization options as well including further trim choices, seatbelt colors, and more.
Production will start from the summer of 2022 while you can either opt for the coupe or the convertible. The chassis is so stiff and the convertible does not require any additional changes to put down all that performance. Either way the Z06 represents the Corvette at its peak and can claim to be a bonafide American supercar with raw power and the capabilities to match the likes of the Porsche’s or even Italian sports cars. The Z06 is expected to carry a suitable premium over the standard Corvette but the changes do justify the (expected) lofty price tag.
