The new Corvette C8 Z06 has just been released by Chevrolet, and it looks insane. Only one picture without any camo at all has been released, but luckily it is a top-angled picture showing most of the car. It’s the first proper official picture of the Z06 Corvette without any camo that Chevrolet has released.
The Z06 has been a very much-awaited car. It’s a more track-focused faster version of the already fast C8 Corvette, a car that we all have come to love. Under the hood though is a smaller engine, the LT2 5.5 V8 which will probably be flat-plane to decrease weight. The power will be much higher though at 617hp. The engine is based on the same unit seen in the C8.R racecar and it will sound and be very similar to the Voodoo V8 used in the Gt350 Mustang.
In fact, the whole Z06 Corvette will essentially be a C8.R racecar for the road. The pictures posted by Chevrolet without any camo show the car to look (in my opinion at least) a tad subtle. Pictures in camo taken by journalists show the car with a large spoiler and a bit more of a front splitter. Maybe these parts will be optional though.
But anyway, what are my views on this car and why should you be so excited?
It Looks Awesome.
The new C8 Corvette Z06 in the pictures unwrapped looks like a proper supercar. Pictured in silver frost metallic, the car comes with a lot of new cosmetic features.
The first noticeable change is the front bumper which looks a lot more exotic since it has a larger splitter and different air vents. Not much change n comparison to the standard C8 but it does refresh the car quite nicely (considering the standard C8 will be 3 years old by then).
Then the car gets a new side vent which is larger and more aggressive. This again helps the ar look a lot fresher and it is different in comparison to the standard C8 Corvette. There also seems to be a spoiler at the rear too which sets the car off quite nicely. Unfortunately, Chevrolet has not posted any pictures of the back of the car but judging by spy shots, the car will get centered exhaust tips.
The alloys on the car are these cool multi-spokes. However, I feel that Chevrolet has added these only for the picture and I wouldn’t be so surprised if they’re not on the production car. After all, Chevrolet wants to make it distinctively clear that this is not the final piece. Things can change.
A Serious Driving Machine.
Now, America isn’t the number one place where you’d go for a driver’s car. However, the new Z06 is a serious driving machine that will beat most of its European competitors. The dual-clutch transmission will have a new magnesium case which makes things lighter and stronger, and the engine as mentioned previously, the engine is now a flat-plane V8 which means that this car will rev so much higher than the standard car.
Drivers who opt for time most hardcore specification will get Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 R Tires which are 345/25 by 21 inches which happen to be an inch wider than the Cup 2’s previously used on the C7 Z06 and ZR1 Corvette. This means that the grip on this car will be immense.
The car has 617hp which is a heck of a lot plus this car has close to 500-pound feet of torque. The standard C8 with almost 500hp hits 60 in 2.8 seconds, so the new car with 617hp will be scary. It will also be a lighter car which again helps with performance.
Should You Buy One?
Should you buy a C8 Corvette Z06? Well, it’s expected to be priced at around $85,000 which is nuts if you ask me, a complete bargain. It will be faster than any car at that price point. in fact, most cars that are double the Z06’s price will be able to keep up with it at all.
Unfortunately, this is a car that will have a stupidly long waiting list (just like the normal C8). I do believe that these cars will be at first priced like crazy on the used market. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a $100k or even $200k premium on these cars. Plus, I can bet you that recalls on these things at first will be common.
There probably is a long waiting list right now for this car which is a huge shame. The Z06 may not be a limited-run car but resellers will be going crazy over this thing as demand will be high, just like it is on the current standard C8 model.
I am unsure whether or not this car will come to Europe. Cars like the GT350 Mustang didn’t which is a real shame, so hopefully, this does. It’s even less likely that the Z06 will come in RHD form but of course, we will have to wait and see. All we know is, if it were to go on sale in Europe and the UK, it would be a lot more expensive than it is in North America.
To Conclude.
I am very excited to see the finished product, and it will look very similar to the pre-production car. Chevrolet also posted a picture of the C8 Z06 in camo and it looked insane. It will be a serious monster and it will definitely be a head-turner. Expect this to be one of the most anticipated cars of 2023 then, as I like many others cannot wait.
The waiting list will be stupid, and the premiums for this car at first will be ludicrous. Plus, there will be many recalls at first for this car. However, I cannot wait to see this pitted up against European rivals as this car will show that the US can make serious drivers cars.
For around $85,000 this car is a bargain and is definitely worth it. even a GTR will be slower than this car.