Skip to main content

The Z06 badge represents the absolute zenith of everything that can be done with the Chevrolet Corvette platform. That’s why the arrival of a new one is always such a huge deal. Now, add in the fact that this will be the first mid-engine Z06 and you’ve got something truly promising in the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

Chevy showed us teaser images of the new car a while back, but now we can finally hear the new Z06 in all its flat-plane glory.

Chevrolet completely changed the engine in the Z06

The camo livery Z06 next to the C8.R race car at Le Mans
The ‘Vettes at Le Mans | Chevrolet

If you haven’t heard the new Z06 by now, best go give it a listen. Or you could go listen to a Ferrari 458 in a tunnel. They’ll sound approximately the same. That’s due to a host of changes for the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 made by Chevy, specifically to the engine. Notably, the new motor gets a flat-plane crank.

If you’re looking for a GM-adjacent comparison here, go listen to the Mustang GT and the Shelby GT350R. That change in the engine’s crank, or crankshaft, is what produces this unique sound most associate with fancy-schmancy European sports cars like the Ferrari 458. Now, the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will have one, truly bringing it in line with its European competition.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 could be the fastest Corvette ever

A silver Chevrolet Corvette Z06 shot from the high 3/4
The new Z06 will be here in a matter of days | Chevrolet

Of course, while they were in there, the boys and girls at Chevy will have likely fiddled with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06’s powerplant to have it produce more power. Obviously, you can’t just debut the new “fastest of the fastest” Corvette and have it make less power. Helping to do that is the new motor’s sky-high 8,600 RPM redline. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait till the new car’s debut on the 26th for more info there.

That’s not to say what we’ve seen doesn’t look promising. The teaser image above hints at what is surely some more effective aerodynamics, with more fins, scoops, and gills than the standard ‘Vette. Moreover, some larger brakes can be seen peeking out from under the wheels. That could mean we’ll see the return of carbon-ceramic brakes on the new Z06.

How much will the new Z06 Corvette cost?

The shadowy silhouette of the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06
The new Corvette Z06 | Chevrolet

Big expensive brakes brings us nicely to cost. Like the performance specs, we’ll have to wait for the official reveal on the 26th for that. However, the last generation Z06 started around $25,000 more than the standard C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Given that, it’s likely the new Z06 will start just under $100,000. We can also expect a few choice option packages to put the new Z06 just a hair north of $100,000. Now, the question is: will it be able to compete with the big Euro sports car stars like the 911?

Related

A Hybrid Chevrolet Corvette Was Spotted Testing at the Nürburgring

Best in Sedans & Coupes
MotorBiscuit Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Chase Bierenkoven

Chase Bierenkoven has been obsessed with cars his whole life and now finds joy in sharing what he’s learned from his own daily drivers. Chase earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a focus on legal studies from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and quickly became an automotive journalist. When he isn’t writing, Chase is either driving his passion project, a 2004 BMW M3 in Carbon Schwartz Metallic, or playing around Colorado’s terrain, mainly mountain biking and skiing.