The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – Preview
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - Coupe and Convertible models. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
How Does The All-New 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Come Around?
If you have been at the top for a while, what should you do? What will
be the next step? With a few sentences, with a few questions, there would be
only one answer – Going beyond the top. That’s the light motive of the all-new
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
Having all that famous and glory in mind the next step for the 2023
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is to bring a race car as close as to the production one
and vice versa the production car as close as to the race car.
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| 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - coupe and convertible. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
Back in the years in 1963 the Z06 package for that Chevrolet Corvette
offers all that jazz for a race track supercar made in the American way. During
the years everything has been improved to nowadays when everything is changed
willing to go beyond even more the Z06 is a brand itself. This is how the
premiere of the all-new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 begins.
The Most Powerful Naturally Aspirated 5.5l V8 Engine for the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
The all-new Corvette Z06 is a mid-engine model. For the very first time,
we have the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.5l V8 engine with a flat-plane
crankshaft producing 670 hp @ 8400 rpm in the all-new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette
Z06. The max torque is 460 lb-ft / 623 Nm @ 6,300 rpm. The red line of the
all-new LT6 engine starts from 8,600 rpm and all those specifications have to provide
an unmatched driving experience. The gearbox for the 2023 Corvette Z06 is the M1L 8-speed dual-clutch automatic one.
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 LT6 5.5l V8 engine. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
The New LT6 Engine Specification for the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 LT6 5.5l V8 engine - pistons. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
The all-new LT6 engine for the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has an
all-new aluminum cylinder block casting with the Small Block engine family.
This means that the bore spacing is 4.4-inch / 111.76 mm. The engine has an
all-new dual-overhead-camshaft cylinder head; the combustion chamber and the
intake ports are created fully by a CNC machine; the engine specification goes
with a supporting mechanical “finger-follower” valve train. The CNC-machined
method allows very precise work, above ±0.005 in / 0.127 mm, depending on the
specification of the CNC machine.
- 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
- All-new six-stage dry-sump oiling system with individual crank bay scavenging
- Four-into-two-into-one stainless steel
exhaust headers
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| The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 LT6 5.5l V8 engine - rear end with a plaque with the signature of the technician. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
The engine of the all-new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is hand-assembled
by master engine builders at the Performance Build Center within the Bowling
Green Assembly plant in Kentucky. The technicians use precision tooling and
hand-fit pieces of the engine to ensure the exact specifications provided by
Chevrolet. On the intake manifold is placed a plaque with the signature of the
technician who crafted the engine from start to finish. This means that one
technician makes one engine at a time.
The Exteriror of the 2023 Cheverolet Corvette Z06
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - convertible in silver color. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
Intended to be a race car and later to provide that racing experience
for daily driving this is a combination not only from the engine but many other
things that must be considered as the exterior design.
The all-new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has wider finders that allow
putting larger and wider wheels. Thus provides more grip. The Corvette Z06 goes
on 275/30ZR20 front wheels and 345/25ZR21 rear wheels. The standard tires are
Michelin® Pilot Sport 4S ZP. In the Z07 package are also available the Sport
Cup 2 R ZP tires.
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires developed specifically for the Z06. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
Due to the wider fender of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, it’s 40 mm
wider at the front and 30 mm wider at the rear compared to the Chevrolet
Stingray. Thus the 2023 Corvette Z06 has a wider and lower appearance at the
front. At the back, the wider fenders allow larger air intakes to be placed for
cooling the engine. The four exhaust pipes are centered at the back end of the
car.
The Exhaust System of the 2023 Corvette Z06
The all-new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has an all-new exhaust system.
During the developing stage, the engineers are willing to keep that character
Corvette sound. They had said that the main problem is that the sound can’t be
heard in the cabin. So that, the tips are shaped like a reverse megaphone. Thus
when the sound goes out it resonates and goes forward to the cabin.
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - exhaust pipes | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
The exterior features of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 continue with a
standard front splitter and a unique rear spoiler with an installable fixed
wickerbill. The wickerbill is a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler.
Thus increasing the downforce significantly which is some 365 pounds / 165.6 kg
at 186 mph / 299.3 km/h.
Optionally, there is a carbon fiber aero package that adds a larger
front splitter, front-corner canards (dive planes), a pedestal-mounted rear
wing, and underbody aero strakes. All these things are here to provide maximum
track-capable downforce and maneuverability for the 2023 Corvette Z06.
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - rear spoiler | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has a Short-Long Arm (SLA-type)
suspension on the front and as well on the rear. Initially, this suspension is
created for the Corvette Stingray but for the Corvette Z06, it’s specially
calibrated due to more performance capabilities of the new model. With the
standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0, the suspension of the all-new
2023 Chevrolet Corvette can be adjusted from touring comfort to the maximum
track performance by the standard Driver Mode Selector.
The Driver Mode Selector includes several driving settings and technologies as:
- Launch control: Available
in Track mode for maximum off-the-line acceleration;
- Active handling (StabiliTrak Electronic
Stability Control): Z06
has performance traction management as standard;
- Traction control: Weather
mode tailors traction control and engine torque for driving in inclement
conditions;
- Performance Traction Management: Available
in Track mode and offers five settings of torque reduction and brake
intervention for track driving;
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential: Adjusts
the rate at which the limited slip engages to balance between steering
response and stability in different driving conditions.
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - driver-oriented interior. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
With the idea of a performance model with fast acceleration, fast
turning, and fast stopping the brakes for the 2023 Corvette Z06 are a very
important detail. So that the all-new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 comes with
14.6-inch-diameter / 370 mm front and 15-inch-diameter / 380 mm rear Brembo®
rotors. The front calipers are six-piston. Comparing the Z06 to the Stingray,
the newest model has greater brakes. Moreover, the Stingray has 4-piston
calipers on the front wheels.
With the optional Z07 package the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 can be
equipped with even larger, carbon-ceramic rotors. The Z07 Performance Package
includes more options:
- Carbon fiber aero package with larger
front splitter, front-corner dive planes, a rear wing, and underbody
strakes that enhance downforce;
- Unique FE7 suspension with specific
Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 calibrations
- Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires
developed specifically for the Z06;
- Available carbon fiber wheels that deliver
a 41-pound (18.6 kg) reduction in unsprung mass;
- Brembo® carbon-ceramic brake system
featuring larger, 15.7-inch-diameter (398 mm) front rotors and
15.4-inch-diameter (391 mm) rear rotors;
With the Z07 Performance Package, the 2023 Corvette Z06 is 1.22 g closer
to the ground on a 300-foot diameter circle is what the Chevrolet says about
it.
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - all-digital instrument cluster. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
Inside the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The first impression inside the all-new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is
the driver-focused cockpit – a fast recall of BMW but not at all. The interior of the 2023 Corvette Z06 is described with
premium materials and a luxurious look.
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| A red 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible with a bright interior. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
With the available carbon-fiber trim, it’s an expression of the
lightweight and track-focused spirit that the 2023 Corvette Z06 brings to us.
So, for inside a carbon-fiber-wrapped steering wheel is available. Also, shift
paddles and new carbon-fiber interior trim package level 2. The interior of the
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 features hand-wrapped leather interior options,
including the all-new fully trimmed interior in Adrenaline Red.
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| The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette in all-new fully trimmed Adrenaline Red interior. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 comes with new wheels and colors, more
trim options as follow:
- 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
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| 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - race track version, convertible, and coupe models. | Image: Chevrolet / GM |
