Finally, Our First Look at the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: America’s Porsche 911 Says Top Gear
- The new Corvette Z06 is more like a 911 than you think
- Both models offer special, high-revving engines in their top trims
- Starting around $90,000 the Corvette wins the pricing game
Frankly, we really didn’t think we’d be getting a look at the hottest Chevrolet of this year so soon. It was only a few months back that the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 finally shod its camo livery, after all. Thankfully, we were wrong, and Top Gear brings us our first look at the flat-plane ‘Vette supercar just before the year is out.
Top Gear says the Corvette Z06 is America’s Porsche 911
The above analogy used by Top Gear is actually pretty spot on. Turns out, the new ‘Vette has a lot in common with the current run of Porsche 911 models. In fact, it feels a lot like the new Corvette is designed specifically to compete with the Porsche 911. There’s a 495 hp base model that sits strikingly close to the base 911 in power and price, and the Z06, well, think of that like a Porsche 911 GT3 with an American V8 in the back.
Then, there’s the Z07 package in the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. That’s strikingly similar to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, according to Top Gear. Both have a high-revving, naturally aspirated engine, and more speed than is reasonable. Sounds about right. Finally, just like the 911, the Z06’s flat-plane V8 engine has almost nothing in common with that 495 hp small block in the base car.
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is an American supercar
And that engine is not only what sets apart the Z06 from the base Corvette, it’s what makes the whole car a supercar. The regular 6.2L small-block practically feels pedestrian compared to the Z06’s flat-plane engine. The “LT6” as GM calls it, is an entirely new 5.5L engine built specifically for the Z06. Oh, and it makes 670 hp, far more than the current Porsche 911 GT3. We’ll have to wait for the new 911 GT3 RS to see if that claim still holds.
All that flat-plane power is great, but one of the defining characteristics of the Corvette is its usability. Still sounds like a 911 doesn’t it? Thankfully, on targa-topped Z06 models, you can fit the roof in the trunk, a-la Koenigsegg, and still have a reasonably large front trunk. Both trunks, by the way, are cavernous. Now, to circle back to performance for a bit.
How much is the 2023 Z06?
The Z07 package is, quite honestly, much more than it sounds like. First, there’s the massive carbon wing (above), 15% stiffer springs and dampers, sticker Michelin Cup 2 R tires, and big fat carbon-ceramic brakes. Plus, you can have carbon fiber wheels. It really is an American GT3 RS. As for pricing, well, GM is pretty silent on the subject. Corvette Z06 pricing is to start at $90,000 with the Z07 pack adding a few extra Benjamins onto that already hefty sum.
