Celebrating almost 60 years of the Corvette Z06, the latest iteration of the race-bred variant promises to be the best performing and most refined Z06, ever. For many Corvette enthusiasts, the Z06 is perhaps the most desirable model within the line-up. Using the success and development of the C8.R race car, the C8 Z06 will integrate the first-ever flat-plane V-8 engine ever seen in a production Chevy, let alone a Corvette.

Absolutely boasting the most powerful naturally aspirated V-8 available in any production vehicle, the 670 horsepower LT6 engine is truly an engineering marvel. Undoubtedly, the LT6 engine is one of the most interesting and potent power plants available in any modern performance vehicle. GM has touted the new Z06 as the definition of the American supercar, intended for the discerning enthusiast who truly seeks the most refined and rewarding driving experience possible. With a mid-engine layout, a meticulously crafted chassis, and a truly spine-tingling exotic exhaust note, this may be the closest thing to that definition we have ever seen.

The 2023 Z06 is designed to provide the driver with the absolute highest level of both craftsmanship and performance available from a GM product. Now two years into production, the Chevy has been able to get the kinks worked out in order to deliver the most refined and performance-focused model available.

Pound for pound, the 2023 Z06 is the fastest Z06 ever, with the new 5.5-liter LT6 flat-plane-crank V-8 serving as the heart and soul of the no-frills, all-business Corvette. With the C8.R Corvette serving as the building block for the Z06 chassis, there has never been a more direct implementation of track development into a street vehicle.

Internally within Corvette Racing, the C8.R was referred to as “the Z06 hiding in plain sight.” The truly grueling environment of endurance racing has allowed all aspects of performance to receive heavily increased levels of durability and reliability.

When debuting a new engine in a flagship vehicle, there are always a lot of expectations attached to it. However, since this engine has actually been tested on the race track since 2019, it already has a pedigree of success even before the first vehicle is delivered. So why go through all the trouble completely creating an entire engine package from scratch?

The previous generation C7 Z06 was known to be a truly impressive performance package but suffered from overheating and reliability issues on track due to heat soaking from the supercharger. This time around, Chevy wants to ensure that the Z06 is a true precision instrument, fine-tuned for track excellence.

Thus, the return to natural aspiration came for the 2023 model. The innovative design of the flat-plane crank allows for performance previously never seen in any V-8 engine, ever. Singing to an intoxicating 8,600 RPM redline with a complete dry-sump oiling system straight out of the race car, It’s said that there is no other driving experience quite like the Z06.

Engineers supposedly spent over two years creating the distinctly exotic exhaust note found in the LT6 engine. With 670 horsepower at 8,400 RPM and 460 pound-feet of torque at a wild 6,300 RPM, the Z06 will certainly reach jail-time level speeds well before you ever even hit peak torque. Specific for the Z06, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission receives a shorter 5.56 final drive ratio to make acceleration even more visceral and immediate.

With the optional carbon fiber wheels, the curb weight of the Z06 is an impressive 3,434 pounds comparable or better to a 2022 992 Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet. This allows the Z06 to aggressively reach 0-to-60 MPH in about 2.6 seconds. That is incredibly fast for a naturally aspirated RWD vehicle.

Braking is also improved compared to the base model Stingray, featuring standard six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo brakes, with optional carbon-ceramic brakes available. On track as well as the street, drivers will love the Z06-specific suspension tuning featuring GM’s latest Magnetic Ride Control 4.0. EPA estimated MPG numbers are still unreleased for the Z06, but assuming the nature of a high-revving motorsport-bred V-8, you’d be happy to get 20+ MPG in any situation.

Undoubtedly, the first difference anybody will notice about this high-performance Z06 compared to the base model Stingray is the completely revamped exterior design. Taking the majority of its styling cues from the C8.R race car, the Z06’s undeniably aggressive stance will turn heads at every corner.

However, don’t doubt for a second that Z06 is built for aesthetics, it is a function-first vehicle in every little aspect of design. To truly emphasize this point, let’s make a direct comparison to the C7 ZR1 Corvette, the fastest and most performance-focused Corvette available to date. The C8 Z06 is able to generate six percent more downforce with eight-percent less drag than the previous generation halo car.

The overall stance is 3.6 inches wider than the base model Stingray, which allows for a truly massive 345-series rear tire out back. There is a certain point where you cannot logistically fit more rear tire on a street car. 345 mm width is about that point. This Corvette is truly maxed out for grip.

Both the front and rear fascia are completely new as well, the first time for a Z06. Five different heat exchangers maximize cooling through the front end while an adjustable rear spoiler allows for increased downforce out back. Not to mention, we see a return to the iconic Corvette quad-pipe exhaust design which many enthusiasts missed with the base model C8.

Forged aluminum 20-inch front wheels along with 21-inch rears are standard, with five different finishes available. For those truly seeking the maximum weight reduction, carbon fiber wheels are available, reducing over 40 pounds of unsprung mass from the Z06.

Certainly the most common performance addition attached to the Z06 will be the well-known Z07 package, offering:

Complete with the Z07 package, the 2023 Z06 is truly a beast of a track car, ready for just about any high-performance driving event in any category. Don’t be surprised to make a variety of exotic supercar owners very upset with their purchase.

Inside the Z06, expect to find a driver-focused cockpit with a variety of customization options to fit your exact aesthetic. From over seven different interior colors to choose from along with two different levels of carbon fiber interior trims, a truly bespoke interior can be designed until your heart’s content.

Featuring the 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ trim levels as in previous models, owners can increase the luxury level of their interiors. The highest 3LZ trim offers:

Along with a variety of other standard creature comforts, expect the supercar level luxury that truly shines as a statement piece of individuality.

While the exact MSRP of the new Z06 is currently unavailable, we can make some assumptions based on previous generations of Corvette. On average, we find the Z06 model to come at a premium of about $25,000 to $30,000 compared to the base model Stingray. With the Z07 package and other niceties, expect this Z06 model to easily be a six-figure vehicle. However, considering how unique and singular of a vehicle the Z06 will be in the 2023 market, expect these high-octane variants to fly off the shelf. If you seek a car that drops jaws on the street and breaks hearts on the track, the 2023 Corvette Z06 should be high on your watchlist.