The new 2023 Corvette Z06 is dripping with go-faster goodies and track-ready performance, enhancing the already formidable eighth-generation Chevy Corvette C8 with a new engine, aggressive aero, revised suspension, and much, much more. Now, we’re watching as the 2023 Corvette Z06 hits the track alongside the previous three generations of Z06 in the following brief video from Chevrolet.
Clocking in at about 2 minutes, 45 seconds, the video is hosted by five-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and former Corvette Racing driver Oliver Gavin, who climbs behind the wheel of the 2023 Corvette Z06 to see how it fairs on the racetrack against the C7 Z06, C6 Z06, and C5 Z06. One of the first things Gavin calls out is engine response in the latest C8-generation.
“That throttle map is fantastic,” Gavin says.
Providing that exotic howl is the new naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine, which is rated at an impressive 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, spinning up to a sky-high 8,600 rpm redline. For those readers who may have missed it, the new C8 Z06 is all about getting back to the roots of the Z06 nameplate, specifically by offering street-legal performance for the track via heaps of atmospheric power, similar to the previous C6-generation Z06.
That said, it’s impressive to see the evolution of the Corvette Z06 nameplate over time. Originally offered as an optional upgrade for the 1963 “split-window” Corvette, the Z06 is now a benchmark for modern performance, and the C8 Z06 is no exception. In fact, according to Vehicle Performance Manager Aaron Link, the latest generation is the most track-capable vehicle of the lot.
After Gavin has a go with all four generations, the Corvette Z06s are unleashed en masse, giving us a chance to see how they look going wheel-to-wheel on the race track.
Check out the full video right here:
Unfortunately, 2023 Corvette Z06 production will be heavily constrained for the foreseeable future, as GM Authority exclusively covered previously. That said, it’s possible that this constraint may change over time.
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Comments
Can I have one of each?
In Canada even the Stingray is very constrained, we received 873 Corvettes in 2dQ 2021 and only 448 in 2d Q 2022. down almost 50%. We wait forever to move to 3000 here!
I would say that just might’ve been staged a bit!
nice comparison, i wonder how many Z06 of each generation were produced, just curious, total production number in existence. to predict availability and potential future production .
my friend and i were standing over our new C8’s the other night, ( his a convertible, mine a coupe). studying the various construction aspects, methods. talking about the Cadillac advancements, realizing Cadillac is the testing platform for tech at GM. There is twin turbo V6 that makes insane power at cadillac, and if that were installed in a C8 engine bay, with some
electric power on the front wheels, you would have an all wheel drive, weight balanced, extremely powerful machine. One that we would like to drive.
Hate on me all you want. Technology and advancement in engineering have given us all the exciting things we enjoy so much.
Just keep in mind that if wasn’t for Chevrolet there wouldn’t be any Cadillacs. Every Cadillac is based on a Chevy platform and most of the components in the Cadillac are Chevrolet sourced.
You know they let the C8 win.
Did ya notice they finished newest to oldest?
Nothing but a PR stunt.
Is this video number 176 for a car no one can get?
A joke. Pleeeese, we are smarter, that was not a race. All start at different times??? Really??? Besides, you can’t get a Z06, C8 for the foreseeable future. So, I will continue to love my C7 Z06, 7 speed… and in many ways, and for the money, probably a better car anyway.
Nice video. Actual on track segments could have been longer. Fun to watch but GMs shenanigans have turned me off on the C8 Z06. I’m sticking with my ’21 3LT Z51
Should of had a real c6 Zo6 not a want a be one !! It’s a great car and not a convertible. Aluminum frame and weighed less
It will be interesting to see how the ZR1 1LE fairs against the C8 Z07
This car is faster than the Ford GT and ZR1 in acceleration.
Lap times are expected to be much faster. The interesting part is the base cars down force is just under 400 pounds the Z07 will have almost 800 pounds of down force so one should be significantly faster.
These cars really are going to be a beast on the track as they were designed for but yet they appear to have very good road manners too. Not easy to hit that combination.
I wouldn’t say it’s faster than the GT or the ZR1. Both the ZR1 and GT have higher top speeds, both are capable of going above 200 mph. The ZR1 and GT also have higher trap speeds, which both metrics correlates more so with the term fast(er). But the C8 Z06 is quicker in the quarter, it can complete it in less time. The C8 Z06 10.5 secs against the ZR1 10.6 secs and GT’s 10.8 secs.
Track times will be interesting, Chevy said that the C8 Z06 is comparable to the C7 ZR1. But is it slower comparable or quicker comparable? I really don’t think that they’ll make a Z06. Which its intended to be sold for multiple years to come. Quicker than the one off MY C7 ZR1 around a track. Around a 4 mile track I’d guess it will be 1 or more secs off the C7 ZR1.
Darrell Bringe even if it was a “real” C6 Z06… The C8 Z06 would spank it and send it home crying to mommy! I really wish all these people on here would stop with my C5, my C6 and my C7 are so much better… Please this C8 and C8 Z06 is the one Corvette probably since the 1960s that can take it to Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and either keep up with them or beat them outright
… I also think that the C8 Eray with AWD will finally take to it the GTR… because everyone knows why the GTR wins is because it’s put up against rear wheel drive cars with a traction disadvantage.