Arriving some two years after the first-ever mid-engined Corvette, the Z06 is set apart by its all-new heart: the 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine. This normally-aspirated powerplant hits 670 horsepower at 8,400 rpm—the highest output of any production V8 and 623 Nm of torque at 6,300 rpm. The clean sheet design features a lightweight, flat-plane crank design, fully CNC-machined combustion chambers and intake ports, forged aluminum pistons, and a dry-sump oiling system. This engine is mated to an 8-speed dual clutch transmission.

Putting all that power on the ground is a stance that’s some 94 mm wider than the regular Stingray. Together with the wider track—30 mm at the front and 40 mm at the back, this enabled Chevrolet to fit larger, wider wheels—20 x 10 inches at the front and 21 x 13 inches at the back. They are shod with 275/30R20 and 345/25R21 tires respectively. The wider rear track has also enabled engineers to optimize the cooling system.

Enhancing the Z06’s handling over the Stingray, it comes with larger Brembo brakes, available carbon ceramic rotors, an optimized suspension system, and a carbon fiber aero package. Oh, and speaking of carbon fiber, the Z06 also comes optionally with the largest carbon fiber wheels available that reduce some 18.6 kilograms to its unsprung mass.

Production of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 starts in the middle of 2022 at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant. Chevrolet has confirmed that it will be available in both left- and right-hand drive configurations.

For the Philippine market, Chevrolet Philippines will be making a handful of mid-engine Corvette Stingrays available soon.