The 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 takes the mid-engine Corvette C8 to a new level of performance, cranking everything that makes the Stingray great to eleven. That includes the aerodynamics and body, as highlighted in the following video from Chevrolet.
Clocking in at just under 3 minutes, the video is titled “Conquer the Air,” and provides insights into the development of the new 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 from those that did the work. That includes statements from Corvette Exterior Design Manager Kirk Bennion.
“Engineering would come to us and they would say, ‘we think we need to give the car a wider footprint,’” Bennion says during the video. “And of course for design, you know, we love wider footprints.”
Indeed, the 2023 Corvette Z06 is quite a bit wider than the Stingray, with an overall width of 79.7 inches, as well as a front track width of 66.3 inches and rear track width of 66.1 inches. Compare that to the Stingray’s 76.1 inches, front track width of 64.9 inches, and rear track width of 62.4 inches.
“What’s neat about the Z06, it’s basically the same width as the race car,” Bennion says, referring to the Corvette C8.R.
In addition to being physically wider, the 2023 Corvette Z06 is also equipped with a variety of aerodynamic enhancements that help it stick at speed. The underbody incorporates extractor elements that evacuate air from underneath the vehicle and out through the wheel openings, improving downforce. There is also the new Z07 Performance Package, which adds in dramatic aero elements like a sizable rear carbon wing with a lower center section for improved rear visibility, as well as raised outer sections to grab cleaner air. Put it all together, and the Z07 package provides 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph.
Check out the full video right here:
As a reminder, the 2023 Corvette Z06 is motivated by the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine, rated at 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Under the body panels is the GM Y2 platform, while production takes place at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Corvette Z06 news, mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
It is possible, that GM has realized, they could produce only the Z06 , stop making the Stingray, for maybe a whole year, sell every single one. and less people be disappointed.
Meaning there are some stingray buyers, some 1LT base car buyers. But so many more Z06 buyers that this could dominate sales for at least 24,000 units in one year.
I believe it all, love the tidbits about the new car Z06 totally sold on some thing that has no record in the consumer market. Bought my C8 never having seen one, sat in one and very happy.
And you can purchase and take delivery, when monkeys fly out your butt. hell has frozen over, and every other idiom meaning never gonna happen. please reply with you favorite old timey or modern saying meaning , never gonna happen.
It’s gotten to the point that we need to start seeing pricing and an order guide to make this real.
The marketing department is certainly the star of the gm show. Manufacturing and sales have some catching up to do.
As an aerospace engineer all the aero babble is certainly amusing.
So stoked waiting for our Z06. Our return to a gm new vehicle purchase. Hoping to get it in 2023. Might be our last ICE vehicle purchase.