The mid-engine 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 represents the highest levels of performance within the current Corvette C8 lineup, delivering race-inspired, agile handling and the world’s most powerful atmospheric V8 gasoline engine in a production car, resulting in one of the most sought-after performance vehicles on the market today. Production of the 2023 Z06 will begin soon, but at least one example appears to be in the hands of GM’s crosstown rival, Ford Motor Company, as GM Authority spied a C8 Corvette Z06 within FoMoCo facilities.
It’s entirely possible that Ford could have obtained this 2023 Corvette Z06, which was seen exiting Ford’s vehicle development lab in Dearborn, Michigan, as part of an intra-OEM vehicle swap. This could mean that GM obtained a Ford vehicle in exchange, such as the 2024 Ford Mustang. While the Corvette could be considered an indirect rival to the Shelby Mustangs, The Blue Oval could very well be benchmarking the sports against a vehicle that has yet to be released.
In fact, our sister publication, Ford Authority, was the first to report that The Blue Oval is considering reviving the Ford Thunderbird as a future rival to the Corvette. The Thunderbird project is being conceptualized as a more performance-oriented vehicle than its immediate predecessor, slotting in far above the Mustang in the lineup from the standpoint of both performance and price.
As a reminder, the 2023 Corvette Z06 cradles the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine, rated at 670 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The sports car is underpinned by the GM Y2 platform, with production taking place at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky. At this time, it’s not clear what kind of powertrain is being considered for the Ford Thunderbird project, but it will likely have a healthy gasoline-powered output as a farewell to ICE performance.
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Comments
This is not credible at all…
Let me guess ! Ford will make a car one size bigger – 1 more cubic inch – 1 more hp – and $1 less just like everything else in the past !
I’d have to agree with rlhmarines.
Ford is dumping employees from their gas division and can’t imagine much all new product will be coming from them. If they were developing a new gas model, it’s several years out and then would only be on the market for a few years before they couldn’t sell it in numerous states. No way they’re developing a new gas product.
The electric division has too much to do to develop new EV platforms and start getting non-exotic product developed and available. Plus, can’t imagine Ford has the funds to develop such a low volume product at this time.
The last time Ford tried competing with Corvette they came up with a $500.000 6-cylinder car and could only build 1,350 copies in 6 years
You’re talking about the Ford that drastically out performed the Corvette, and most other cars out there… as well as being a true purpose built track/race car right?
…Ok just making sure we were on the same page there…lol.
You forgot to mention the price. Anyone can build a car that can outperform another car just add a bunch of money to it what does that prove?
My point, was that that was not competition with the Corvette.
I didn’t find the price to be a considerable point as again, it is not a car relative to the Corvette, so price in this conversation is somewhat a moot point.
and yes, you are correct, but what it proves is that there are cars built to certain degrees of performance, at certain prices. The GT was a low volume, expensive, high performance car designed for people that have the means and desire for something somewhat bespoke and designed for a singular purpose. The Corvette, not so much.
Than why did you say this? “You’re talking about the Ford that drastically out performed the Corvette”
The ZR1 bested the GT pretty quickly. From what I recall Ford unveiled the new GT and set a lap record at VIR raceway. Then the C7 Corvette ZR-1 beat the GT’s record. Then the ZR1 beat the GT at the Lightning Lap competition. Plenty of articles from Feb 2018
Yeah but only 1300 GTs have been made and they’re selling for 1.5 M. And it’s classified as a full on supercar that every collector drools over…
You mean the car that Multimatic from Canada NOT Ford actually designed and produced for Ford, first as a race car and eventually as a streetcar. Ok, you win.
YES! This is what I mean.
“You’re talking about the Ford that drastically out performed the Corvette”
Umm, you didn’t do any homework did you? As another pointed out the ZR1 was faster by over a second at VIR, it also is neck and neck in the 1/4 mile (both running high 10’s at over 130). So it didn’t even out perform it let alone drastically.
Yes they are two different category of cars but accomplish the same. I prefer the GT but any car with a stick and a V8 wins in my book, but I certainly am impressed by it non the less.
Either way lets not spread rumors and do some homework before posting…
ford never out performed the corvettle ford is trash only 1%of ford is good
So with the Camaro going away…….. GM gets an ICE Mustang and Ford gets a Z06….makes perfect sense! LOL
Smart move by Ford, why can’t GM benchmark the Bronco or Jeep??
Ford dropped the ball on the GT as they made it a half million dollar car few ever see while GM made a Mid engine car nearly most can afford and many will see. They should have made the last GT more affordable.
Ford is in major financial issues right now and I do not expect much in the way of limited production vehicles. I expect to see more cuts.
The covide shortages and the high cost of Aluminum has robbed Ford of their profits they enjoyed. They still have outstanding loans and other issues too. If not for the Ford Family holding 51% the company may have been bought up via stock.
Ford is in dire need for funds for the electric program. The lighting was just a rushed PR project.
Shortages are killing the production of the Maverick and Bronco from helping more than they are. The Mustang is not going to help much.
Well, the Ford GT wasn’t ever intended as a competitor for the Corvette, it was kinda in that league above a Corvette.
It may never have been intended but Ford would have done much better and made more money if they had intended.
A fiend just bought a Liquid Carbon GT and it is a great car but Ford is not a company that should be paying an outside company to build a $750K car for them. Even the standard model at $500K is more than they should be in for.
They could have done a cheaper car and still raced it.
That would betray its heritage. The Corvette has always been a *relatively* affordable, fast, two-seat sportscar/GT. The first GT40 was a licensed British prototype racer (the Lola GT), slightly reengineered by Ford, with a Ford V8, that was from the very start a race car that made it to the street over a couple examples for homologation. The second GT40 was not a racecar, but rather an expensive (a lot more than the ´vette at least) supercar. The new GT took that to the next level with advanced (for the time) race tech.
Judging by how Ford design the new Mustang, I feel like they going to make the Thunderbird look like a Corvette. Might as well just call it the Ford Corvette lol
Ford should of made the thunderbird a corvette competitor, but took the short term money. GM has a lot of good old cars that would be cool to own again. Ford not so much, what was the last thunderbird you can look back at and wish you had or want to Resto mod?
Geez, does no one at xx Authority have any common sense? Not one Z06 has been delivered to the public, so how is Ford going to take possession of one? Do you really believe GM just lent one to Ford to “benchmark”? That’s beyond stupid. More likely some Ford engineer with a CTF car is just trolling some buddies who work at Ford.
Why did you guys blur the license plate? It’s not like it’s secret (it’s being driven on the public road!). Does it have a GM manufacturer plate, which would sort of ruin the story that it’s in Ford’s possession?
This whole story is just click bait. Grow up a little.
Thank you.. I was wondering when someone would say that.. nobody gives their competition a car not even released.. morons.
Looks like you guys don’t have much of a clue about the inner workings of the industry as a whole.
Fact: vehicle exchanges are not uncommon amongst automakers, especially ones that are friendly.
Example: when the C8 was launching, Ferrari reached out to GM about getting a 2020 Stingray specifically for evaluation purposes. What happened after that is beside the point, but you get the idea.
But yes, we at GM Authority know nothing about nothing and are clueless idiots, plain and simple. Really appreciate the love, okthxbye.
Also you may not want to count out a possible link up like a Mazda/Fiat Miata platform sharing.
Ford is short money and GM like to sell technology or to cut the cost of a platform with sharing.
GM had Ford trucks at the Warren Proving grounds when they were doing the transmission sharing.
We already have Honda EV’s being done by GM and I expect we may see more sharing and selling of technology. The cost of the EV platforms are high and Ford is hurting for money right now and could use help in some areas.
We may see some interesting link ups in the near future.
Also never dismiss that some MFGS buy cars to learn. It has gone on for decades. The #50 Tempest that won Daytona was purchased by Benz. It was never seen again. Porsche bought many Corvettes in the 80’s to figure out how to run with them in SCCA showroom stock.
I know this car is unreleased so it had to been shared but there have been some interesting exchanges over the years.
I love the 3 speed 400 Firebird from the 60’s I changed a clutch in. It was an odd bird and had a Hurst Shifter but a FOMOCO 3 speed under it. I thought it was put in but Pontiac used Ford Transmissions in this era for the 3 speeds.
What you are describing Alex is about 85% of the postings on this site…
The 2005/2006 Ford GT is still one of the most desirable cars, and was significantly affordable when new. The 2017/2021 GT is only for the extravagantly rich, as it is only serviceable in a handful of places, and repairs can only be done at Multimatic. On the other hand, the 2005/2006 GTs are easily serviceable. Furthermore, their performance still makes them competitive with the newest Corvettes.
As a reminder. Only 10% of Z06s will be produced.
That will most likely change…
I always tell people that are trying to compare a Mustang to a Corvette no no you compare the Mustang to a Camaro it’s not fair to even compare a Mustang quality wise to a Corvette and the Corvette should be better it cost a lot more money it’s like apples and oranges
While the 2005/2006 Ford GT was a good idea the mid-engine 71/1974 De Tomaso Pantera was a GREAT idea!
A stock Pantera would run 160 MPH right out of the Lincoln Mercury dealerships. It was and still is beautiful great performing automobile. And nd one I have personally owned and raced for more than 30 years. But it was the American Pantera owners and ‘NOT’ Ford who made it a much better car. But as I look for a new performance mid-engine performance car nothing comes close to an affordable high-performance sports car then the Corvette C8 and Z06.
Hey, at least Ford doesn’t seem like they’re looking to resurrect the Thunderbird as an electric crossover. That’s commendable!
I bet they are impressed and certainly the NA v8 producing the hp it does. No turbo or supercharger to put it in the area of the Supersnake and the Hellcats.
The current v8 is trouble for them now until they get really close to the 1/4-mile finish. See it at the tracks. Based on driver and launch, seen the C8 roll across first…
It happens. Years ago I was in an Ford engineering building right where that picture was taken, and there was a Jeep Liberty completely disassembled, with everything tagged. They all buy each others’ vehicles.
If Ford could make a 7.0L DOHC V8 powered Mk III GT for under 200k, they could steal some sales from the Z06 and upcoming ZR1, I’d save “Thunderbird” for an electric coupe, much like they did with the “Lightning” F-150.
Ford having a Z06 when no one else owns one yet doesn’t surprise too much. After all they designed the magnificent 10-speed used by many GM vehicles, when the 9-speed designed by GM isn’t all that good. So it’s safe to asume some good relations between the two all-American automakers.
As a reminder….just about everything to do with the Corvette, normal or Z06, is FUBAR’d.
I’m still waiting for the published list of what is NOT constrained.
This story doesn’t make much sense but who knows what is really happening here. This is in fact the fence around the Ford Dearborn test track which is quite distinctive which I have been on.
So Ford would spend over 1B to build an ICE T-Bird to compete against the most expensive product development project/program ever developed by GM—The Corvette. At a time when Ford is strapped for cash.
Or is this just a GM test driver who is trolling a buddy who works at Ford?
The theory of a GM test driver “trolling a buddy who works at Ford” is the dumbest one yet. They literally have specific routes to drive and none of them point to Dearborn.
Keep in mind that Ford doesn’t need to make the T Bird midengined. It can just as well make a sexy front-engined car like the C7 and sell a whole let of them as well. Nothing about that is expensive or costly.
Also Ford isn’t doing as poorly financially as you say.
If gm would put a manual transmission in the vette, then they would!!!!!!!!
Hello Ford can you please help us get the Z06 to market? All the people that knew what the F they were doing are gone now…oh yeah, and we need some edge red paint, if you have some…because we’re stupid and rely upon one suppliers’ single location, and it burned down.
I would love to see Ford partner with one of the Italian cos. and get a new Pantera into market same time as the Z06 actually enters the market…which is not “Summer 2022”…and maybe with some round tail lights on the back (from the GT) just for good measure. I’ve never liked Ford but would buy it just in spite of GM’s failure…
Yep, there’s an exchange program. And if the other manufacturer is unwilling or you want to do a tear-down then you go out and buy one…if it’s available to dealers.
Not a big deal . It happens all the time with lots of vehicles. Often it might not even involve developing a directly competing vehicle.
ALREADY? 2022 is the 3rd year for C8s
Wow if you guys would put as much effort as you do with cars into your children. Maybe they would be able to give you correct change when the computers go down at fast food places, or maybe they wouldn’t do drugs irresponsibly, or maybe they would know for sure what gender they are. Etc. Etc. Etc.