Manoli Katakis 
The 2023 model year represents the 70th anniversary for the Corvette nameplate. Older than several brands in the automotive industry, the Corvette has long served as an American icon, with the Z06 trim level representing a long-standing tradition of world-beating performance. Especially for the money. And that world beating performance, up to this point, has always come in a particular format: a front engine layout, with a small block V8, and a manual transmission. With the 2023 C8 Corvette Z06 revealed, that entire formula is discarded for something new. The engine, as you’d expect, is now behind the seats. The small block V8 has been omitted in favor of a hand-built, DOHC flat-plane LT6 V8 that spins up to 8,600 RPM. And the clutch pedal has been exchanged for a Tremec 8-speed DCT. What does it all mean? It means the most capable, world-beating American supercar that’s ever rolled off an assembly line. Especially with the mighty Z07 Package. Let’s dive in….
2023 Corvette Z06 With Z07 Package: The Ultimate C8
The base C8 Corvette Z06 is already a supercar in its own right. But to really understand the full potential of the new Z06, we have to look at the optional Z07 Performance Package. Highlights include:
- A more aggressive aerodynamic package is designed to enhance cornering grip and high-speed stability, delivering 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, more than any Corvette ever
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires measuring 275/30ZR20 in front around 20 x 10-inch (50.8 x 25.4 cm) front wheels, and 345/25ZR21 in the rear, around 21 x 13-inch (53.3 x 33 cm) rear wheels. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP tires are on the standard Z06.
- Unique FE7 suspension with specific Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 calibrations
- Available carbon fiber wheels that deliver a 41-pound (18.6 kg) reduction in unsprung mass
- 15.7-inch-diameter (398 mm) Brembo front rotors and 15.4-inch-diameter (391 mm) rear rotors – the biggest of any Corvette
- 1.22 g of grip around a skid pad
- 3,434 pounds dry weight with the carbon fiber wheels.
Hand-Built LT6 V8 Engine
The C8 Corvette Z06 adopts a radically different engine: a long-reported 5.5L DOHC V8 engine with a flat plane crankshaft that screams all the way to 8,600 RPM, delivering 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque in the process. This engine, named LT6, is the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine ever made, beating previous record holders from Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari. In fact, it even beats out the EcoBoost V6 engine found in the hyper-exclusive Ford GT supercar, built by Multimatic.
Each LT6 V8 engine will be hand-built at the GM Performance Build Center located at the Bowling Green Assembly complex. Each engine features a plaque on the intake manifold with the signature of the technician who crafted it.
A version of the LT6 has powered the C8.R race cars since 2019, validating the engine architecture’s performance and durability.
Additional highlights include:
- All-new aluminum cylinder block casting with the Small Block engine family’s signature 4.4-inch (111.76 mm) bore spacing
- All-new dual-overhead-camshaft cylinder head design with fully CNC-machined combustion chambers and intake ports, supporting a mechanical “finger follower” valvetrain
- Dual-coil valve springs to support titanium intake and sodium filled exhaust valves
- Forged aluminum pistons and forged titanium connecting rods for low mass and high strength
- Distinctive Edge Red camshaft covers
- All-new active split intake manifold with twin 87 mm throttle bodies. Yes, twin throttle bodies!
- All-new six-stage dry-sump oiling system with individual crank bay scavenging
- Four-into-two-into-one stainless steel exhaust headers
- 670 hp at 8,400 rpm (GM tested per SAE J1349)
- 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque @ 6300 rpm (GM tested per SAE J1349)
- 4.104 inch bore x 3.150 inch stroke
C8 Z06 Exterior Paint, Interior Color And Trim Options
Additional new wheel, color and trim options offer Z06 customers the most personalization choices in the Corvette lineup, including:
- Twelve available exterior colors
- Seven available wheel packages, including five finishes on the standard forged aluminum wheels and available carbon fiber wheels
- Seven interior colors with the opportunity to expand it to thousands of combinations
- Three seat choices and six seatbelt options
- Two interior carbon fiber trim packages, plus Stealth Aluminum trim option
- Six available brake caliper colors
2023 Corvette Z06 Production
2023 Corvette Z06 production begins in the summer of 2022 exclusively at Bowling Green Assembly in left- and right-hand drive for global appeal.
