2023 Corvette Z06. The most capable Corvette ever produced.

The Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced the 2023 Corvette Z06 in late October to great acclaim. It was just the thing to whet the appetite of the Corvette faithful lining up for the arrival of the new Z06.

Napleton News has already had a chance to sample the standard C8 Corvette Supercar. To say we are excited about this new, higher-performance derivative is an understatement. We haven’t had a chance behind the wheel of this rocket, but as soon as we can, we’ll report back.

What’s the difference between a Z06 and a regular Corvette?

Let’s start with the appearance. The Z06 features a new, striking look, sound, and feel that results from research, testing, and tuning. Together, these tasks result in a wider, more confident and more powerful supercar with exotic proportions and a luxurious interior.

According to Chevrolet, the Z06 is the “ultimate supercar experience.” Designed to dominate the race track when first introduced in 1963, the Z06 represents the perfect combination of “track beast” and supercar.

New 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Engine

An all-new 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine powers the new Z06 Corvette. According to Chevrolet, it’s the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V8 engine in any production car, ever. Using an all-new flat-plane crankshaft design, it develops 670 horsepower at 8,400 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 6,300 rpm. It even has its own distinctive exhaust note, which has not been heard from a Corvette ever before. Inspired by the engines used in the Corvette Racing C8R race cars, it’s an amazing powerplant.

In fact, Corvette Racing has used the Corvette C8 platform since its introduction in 2020 as the foundation of its C8R racecars. Thanks to that shared chassis, similar engine design and exterior body proportions, internal Corvette engineering types have referred to the C8R racecar as a Z06 hiding in plain sight. The production Z06’s 5.5-liter V8 is mated to an 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that preloads the next gear for ultra-fast gear changes.

Unique features that make a difference.

Many other designs and parts help differentiate the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 from almost every other car on the road. These include the following:

• A stance that is 3.6 inches wider than the Stingray to help cover massive 345-series rear tires, allowing more airflow through side vents.
• Unique front and rear fascias, a first for Z06 models. The front is designed for improved cooling performance.
• A unique adjustable rear spoiler with adjustable wickerbill elements for high-speed stability and cornering on a racetrack.
• Standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminum spider wheels are the largest ever on a Corvette.
• Available lightweight rigid carbon fiber wheels that deliver a 41-lb. reduction in unsprung mass for improved handling.
• Specific Z06 suspension tuning, including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and larger braking making the Z06 the most track-capable Corvette ever.
• Available Z07 performance package offering the greatest track capability and provides 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph. The package includes a carbon-fiber wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, Brembo brakes, Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tires and more.

And there’s more:

The 5.5-liter V8 is enhanced further by its dry-sump oil system, a tuned induction and 4-2-1 exhaust system. A version of this engine has been powering the Corvette Racing cars since 2019.

The LT6 engine is hand-built by master engine builders in the Performance Build Center at the Corvette Assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Each engine includes a plaque on the intake manifold highlighting the name of the master builder responsible for assembling the engine.

Get in line! and Hurry! The Corvette Z06 will be limited

Numbers for the new Corvette Z06 will be extremely limited. With early birds always catching the worm, you best start hunting today for what should be an instant classic.

2023 Corvette Z06 Specifications: