Zac Quinn 
Since the new Corvette Z06 debuted, Chevrolet has been trickling videos on its YouTube channel of the supercar as part of its “Corvette Academy” series. Each video gives people a deeper look into the inner workings of the Z06, with designers and engineers showing what makes this 670 hp Corvette so special. The most recent addition to this series explains the intricacies of the car’s suspension and how it works with the epic V8 engine and motorsports-based aerodynamics to make it a thrill ride on the track.
C8 Corvette Z06 “Agility” Video: Details
Much of the video narration comes from Aaron Link, Lead Development Engineer on the C8 Corvette Z06. Who explains that the ride of the Z06 is intended to be a “natural extension” of your body. The team focused the ride tuning on how immediate the team could make the car feel. They knew that they wanted the suspension tuning to be raised to “provide a platform that reacts to the highest aerodynamic downforce we’ve ever had on a Corvette,” Link explained. Since the car features a mid-engine architecture, it alleviates some of the weight in the front and helps make that possible. Even so, the C8 Corvette Z06 isn’t what you’d call “sloppy.”
Vehicle Performance Manager Alex MacDonald also explained in the video that the 2023 C8 Corvette Z06 has 30% stiffer spring rates than the C8 Stingray Z51 without any sacrifice to the ride comfort. That comes courtesy of Chevy’s magnetorheological dampers. From there, the Z07 package adds another 10% stiffer springs on top of that.
The 2023 Corvette Z06 is slowly beginning production, but will be capped at just 10 percent of total Corvette production volume. In fact, if you want a Z06, you might have to wait until next year, as Chevrolet has communicated with dealers that orders for the new supercar are closed for the remainder of 2022.
