The Corvette is one of the most timeless and recognizable cars from the other side of the Atlantic. Two years ago, with the launch of the 8th generation, Chevrolet made the big transition. For the first time, it put the engine in the centre. A choice that was to change the standards of what the "plain" version of the Corvette was capable of. 2 years later, the C8 Z06 is back with features that make the whole world take a closer look at their new creation.
The first thing that will come to our attention is its appearance. Even more aggressive, wider, slightly lower, with more aerodynamic elements. There's no mistaking the C8 Z06 for the "plain" Stingray. However, the most important detail is at the back, or rather, in the centre. It's its new flat-plane crank V8, atmospheric, 5.5-liter V8 engine, rated at 670 horsepower. Or simply, the most powerful atmospheric V8 engine fitted to date, in a production car. But how did the new C8 Z06 come about?
Her racing disguise
Okay, maybe it's "the fault" of the Chevrolet people. The C8 Z06 is very much based on its racing sister, the C8.R, which shares the chassis, some of the mechanical parts, and the basic architecture of the entire car, with the C8 Z06. Essentially, from the very beginning, the C8 Z06 has been evolving through its racing version.
The people of Chevrolet thought that having created a successful base, which more than delivered the desired results from the very first race of the season, they had a successful base, which they were going to make more practical and comfortable, thus creating the C8 Z06. But, what exactly is its new LT6 V8 engine?
The heart of the C8 Z06
The C8 Z06, returns to an atmospheric powertrain, as Chevrolet felt it was the better choice over the supercharged V8 that powers the C7 Z06. The atmospheric LT6, in one version, is the engine used in the racing C8.R .
Its flat-plane design, combined with the lightweight materials that make it up, create an engine designed for track riding and fast pace, with an emphasis on directness and responsiveness. The cut-off, now at 8,600 rpm, is now at 670 hp and 623 Nm of torque.
Some of the notable features of the new engine include: its aluminium block, its new double overhead camshaft head with CNC-machined combustion chambers and intake ports, as well as its reinforced aluminium pistons and titanium pistons.
Each LT6 is assembled by just one person (as is the case with AMG), of course by Corvette's top engineers at its Bowling Green, Kentucky plant. On top of each LT6, there will be a plaque, on the intake manifold, stating the name of the engineer who assembled that particular engine.
Designed with performance in mind
We know that the expression "designed for the track" or "street racing" has become somewhat of a cliché and probably more of a slogan for the marketing of the car than for its mechanical and design features. Of course, on the C8 Z06, I think it's safe to say that it was definitely designed with performance in mind. What do I mean?
If you take the basic Corvette C8, the Stingray. We have a lightweight car, with a fairly powerful V8 engine, positioned to achieve a good weight distribution, with performance benefits, both in a straight line and in corners. In the C8 Z06, they've taken each of these target characteristics and taken them a step further.
Every element of the C8 Z06's exterior design serves a practical purpose. For example, the wider fenders at both the front and rear allow for wider tires. Specifically, on the C8 Z06, its front tires are 275/30 ZR20, while the rear tires are 345/25 ZR21. As standard, it's fitted with Michelin PS 4S, while with the Z07 Package, it comes from the factory with track-focused, Sport Cup2 R tires.
The C8 Z06 is wider, to accommodate its 3mm wider front and 4mm wider rear tyres. But also for the increased airflow needs to its radiators and engine bay, both for intake and cooling.
Aerodynamically, Chevrolet uses a softer aerodynamic formula than the C8.R in the Z07 Package, while the plain C8 Z06 carries a lip spoiler rather than a spoiler lip at the rear, which nevertheless produces an aerodynamic load of 166 kg at 300 km/h.
The essence behind the existence of the C8 Z06
Chevrolet's choice to use an atmospheric engine, rather than one with a supercharged or turbo, raised questions for someone. For others, it was an obvious choice. Why?
Initially, it is a successful recipe. The flagship sports car, the Porsche 911 and specifically the GT3 and GT3 RS versions, insist on using an atmospheric engine for the same reasons Chevrolet uses it. It offers linear horsepower delivery, the sound creates an emotional arousal for the passengers, the performance is affordable and utilitarian, and the car is neither "slow" nor "too fast - too loud". It is, balanced.
Then there's America's 911. The Corvette for American sports cars is what the 911 is for European sports cars, the sports car icon. The C8 Z06 is the American GT3. So, in a world where everything is going hybrid, non-atmospheric, no sound, no feel and so on, Chevrolet is playing the old-school formula, with modern technology. So it's a bit of a marketing move, in a sense.
The bottom line, however, is that the existence of the C8 Z06 is people's desire for something that no longer exists. The atmospheric, V8, supercar. Or super sports car. Or, however everyone categorizes it. The bottom line is that 670 horsepower, in just 1600 pounds, is more than enough to enjoy the experience. And more than enough.
For those living in good weather areas, there's also the hard-top convertible C8 Z06. Deliveries of the first models are expected to begin in the summer of 2022, and Chevrolet has announced that the C8 Z06, will be available with both left and right-hand drive, making it accessible, to an even larger market.
