This Is The 2023 Corvette Z06
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The 2023 Corvette Z06 has made its long-awaited debut, appeasing American performance enthusiasts with a naturally aspirated, flat-plane crank V8 engine producing an impressive 670 horsepower.
Chevy says the all-new 5.5L LT6 V8 featured in the 2023 Corvette Z06 is the highest horsepower naturally-aspirated V8 ever offered in a production vehicle. The engine features a lightweight, low-inertia rotating assembly with a flat-plane crankshaft, enabling a sky-high redline of 8,600 rpm. Other highlights of the dual-overhead camshaft motor include an all-aluminum cylinder block, forged aluminum pistons, forged titanium connecting rods, an active split intake manifold with twin 87 mm throttle bodies and a racing-inspired dry-sump oiling system, among more. Output is GM-estimated at a healthy 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
Power in the 2023 Corvette Z06 is sent to the rear wheels through the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a shorter 5.56 final drive ratio, further helping to give the Z06 superior acceleration over the Stingray. Chevy’s now-familiar electronic limited-slip differential is also present and works with a new track-specific Performance Traction Management system to put power to the pavement. Available when Track mode is activated, Chevy says the Performance Traction Management system in the Z06 offers five settings of torque reduction and brake intervention, allowing the user to tailor it to their needs when out on the track.
Braking in the “standard” Z06 is handled by a set of 14.6-inch-diameter front and 15-inch-diameter rear Brembo brake rotors, along with front six-piston and rear four-piston Brembo calipers. The 20-inch front wheels are shod in wider 275/30ZR20 tires, while the larger-diameter 21-inch rear wheels are wrapped in a set of 345/25ZR21 tires. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP tires are standard equipment as well. These standard models offer available Magnetic Ride Control suspension and are equipped with monotube shock absorbers front and rear.
Customers who crave even more performance can opt for the available Z07 Performance Package. The Z07 pack takes the performance of the C8 Corvette Z06 “to its zenith,” Chevy says, adding larger, carbon ceramic 15.7-inch-diameter front rotors and 15.4-inch-diameter rear rotors, along with stickier Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP rubber, FE7 suspension with specially tuned Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 dampers, and available carbon fiber wheels that deliver a 41-pound reduction in unsprung mass. All Z07-equipped models also receive a full carbon fiber aerodynamics package with a larger front splitter, front-corner dive planes, a rear wing and an underbody strake. The aero kit produces 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph.
Inside, the Z06 offers available carbon fiber-wrapped steering wheel, carbon fiber dash/door trim, three different seat choices and six seat belt options. A head-up display is also standard, relaying important information to the driver even while their full attention is on the track ahead.
Chevy says the 2023 Corvette Z06, which will be offered in both Coupe and Convertible body styles, will have a total of twelve available exterior colors from launch, along with seven interior colors and six different brake caliper colors. There will also be eight available wheel packages, including six finishes on the standard forged aluminum wheels and the aforementioned carbon fiber wheels. Production of the 2023 Corvette Z06 will begin at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant in summer 2022. Chevy has not yet confirmed pricing or fuel economy figures, but mentioned a 0-to-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds, and Z07-equipped cars can circle a 300-foot skidpad at 1.22 g.
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Congratulations to the Corvette team for the great work!
The Z06 with 670HP and 679.29PS (EU-Norm) with the 5.5Litre LT6 has become the best series super sports car. The output per 1st liter displacement is almost identical to that of the special series Porsche 911 GT3. Here I think the LT6 is already great in series production and I think the Corvette team will soon bring an evolution of this engine. Call it Corvette C8 Z06 GT3 with 707HP. I would like to remind you that this Corvette LT6 engine is technically the best production engine. You can only compare with the great BMW M V8 engines from the E39M5, E9xM3 and the BMW M V10 super engine from the E60M5. These BMW M engines had a single throttle valve for each cylinder (8x in the V8) and the response was better than comparable Lamborghini V10 / V12 engines at the time!
The then E-boss Gerd R. was also an eternal fan of these technologically highest quality engines like the Corvette Team today with the LT6 Super engine.
I was hoping to see some different unusual colors for the Z06, like a bright green or a passion purple, but looks like it will be pretty much what they had in 2022 models, it’s great though we may can do combination colors on the interior!
2023 looks wonderful. BUT WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE 2022 CAMARO I ORDERED ONE 4-8-21 NOT A SINGLE WORD FROM ANYONE
How much over the sticker are you willing to pay this time ? More money than BRAINS !!!
with that motor its time for a new Z/28
Wonder if the modified body lines will carry over to the 2023 Stringray as well.
LOL, a lot of Corvette haters showing up to downvote even innocuous comments with the faintest praise for this best ever Vette…
Haters? So people that have an opinion that is different then yours means they are haters?
Alls I see is people who can’t afford it commenting including you.
It is a very ugly car !
After a long wait for the C8 Z06 I am absolutely in love with the results! 670HP is more than expected,although true to form DOHC engines struggle to make the torque that pushrod engines produce.Oh well,460 is still pretty good and it sounds amazing. 8600rpm’s is impressive and should increase track times. Way to go Chevrolet this car is a dream come true for many Corvette fans.
I love the arrest me orange color!
Nobody cares what you love.
Andy I care.
I nailed the torque prediction. I’m super impressed with the power. I honestly didn’t expect them to raise the bar. 13.0 bar BMEP at 26.0 m/s average piston speed. I still doubt it’s only using cam phasing. I can’t wait for the inside look at the engine. They will write books about the LT6…and the starter is in the valley just like the LT5.
Go to Engineering Explained’s YT channel. He has a vid up explaining the engine
Cool you want a cookie?
After arguing for months with GM *authority* claiming 550-600 lb-ft, yes, I want a cookie. Cough it up Alex 🙂
104.25 mm bore and 80 mm stroke. Much different than GMA’s intel of 97x93mm. The LT6 looks like a Yamaha R1 superbike engine (except for the flat plane crank). Lower piston speed, super light parts, double springs (no dropped valves if one breaks). I can see how they got that power, and that it should be reliable.
AWD Easter egg? Driving nanny? Another reason? 11:50ish mark of the video the front wheels spinning at a pretty high rate.
This is a fantastic achievement! Very nice car! Only gripe is with the “flat plane” layout , rest of the engine looks amazing. Why did GM go that route, the sound? As a crankshaft manufacturer I know the flat crank architecture is a real vibrator especially with longer strokes. The 4 counterweight design, as this engine has, makes it even worse. With the correct design, you can make a cross plane V8 that will easily rev past 8500 (see BMW S65) with good torque & without all the vibration drama. Ford gave up on the “Voodoo” flat crank, they even tried different rod pin phasing. We make a lot of flat V8 cranks, all short stroke small displacements which work very well keeping secondary vibration to a minimum.
Sound was not relevant to the flat plane decision; many hours were spent making the sound palatable, whereas a cross-plane V8 naturally produces a beautiful sound. The flat plane decision was based on the enhanced performance potential. Yes, a cross-plane can hit 8,600, too, but it’s not as efficient doing so.
Obviously, a large portion of this engine’s potential is realized in the 4V heads (compared to the LT2’s 2V), but the efficiency at very high RPM is enhanced to another level as a result of the flat plane crank. Because we don’t have a good power curve yet, let’s look at what we do know: The LT6 makes 460 ft lbs at 6,300 rpm, while the LT2 makes 495 hp at 6.450. The 460 ft lbs corresponds to 552 hp. That’s 57 more horsepower, at 150 fewer RPM, from 0.7 liters (about 42 subic inches) less. That’s “why” 4V, OHC, flat plane, and (a lot) of intake tuning.
I really wish someone would not have mentioned the “fish face” on the sides though. Ruins it for me because that is what I see when I look at it now. That needs to change.