2023 C8 Corvette Z06 unveiled with 499kW V8

Chevrolet has finally unveiled the highly anticipated 2023 C8 Corvette Z06, housing a brand new flat-plane crank V8 that is the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine of its kind ever fitted to a road car.

The new engine – dubbed the LT6 – is a 5.5-litre, double overhead camshaft (DOHC) dry-sump monster that screams to 8600rpm and has a maximum output of 499kW.

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2023 Corvette Z06 with Z07 Performance Package. Images: Chevrolet

The LT6 is the first flat-plane crank, DOHC road-going production V8 in GM's history. It utilises an aluminium block and heads, with forged pistons and rods – as well as a brand new split intake with twin 87 millimetre throttle bodies.

The hand-assembled mill's official outputs are 499kW (670hp) @ 8,400rpm and 623Nm @ 6300rpm, helping launch the Z06 from 0-96km/h in just 2.6-seconds claimed.

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LT6 V8

The only driveline option for the Z06 is an eight-speed dual clutch transmission, using a more aggressive 5.56 final drive ratio compared to the Stingray, and an electronically adjustable limited-slip rear end.

The exterior has been given a makeover to match the extra oomph, the Z06 sporting wider front and rear guards – which exceed the C8 Stingray's by 9.4cm. New fascias to optimise cooling and aerodynamics, and a manually adjustable rear spoiler across all variants.

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Sitting underneath those new wider arches are forged aluminium wheels measuring 20 x 10.0 inches up front and 21 x 13.0 inches in the rear, wearing standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres in size 275/30 R20 at the front and a whopping 345/25 R21 for the rear.

Inside those massive wheels are Brembo brakes, which are standard across all variants, using 370mm discs with six piston calipers at the front and 380mm rotors with four piston calipers at the back.

The Z06 range is offered in three trims levels – 1LZ, 2LZ and 3LZ – with hardtop and convertible versions available for each.

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Standard Z06 wheels, tyres and brakes

Along with the three main trim levels, owners can choose from the following:

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The real gem of the new Z06 range is the track-focused Z07 Performance pack. The track-oriented package includes:

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Pricing, fuel consumption and top speed figures are all still yet to be revealed for the new Z06, but Chevrolet says it will be available by mid-2022 in the US.

Following on from GMSV filing for a trademark of the Z06 in Australia in July, the maker has confirmed the fire-breathing Corvette will make it here eventually, with more details on a RHD version next year.

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The Stingray has been on sale in the US for two years now – but despite this, the first shipment of C8s is still yet to make it to Australia, so we’re betting we’ll have to wait a while before we see a Z06 on Aussie roads.