2023 Corvette Z06 Set to Annihilate Tracks Nationwide Courtesy of Brand-New LT6 V8

The entire Corvette line and its history have made an awesome impression on all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville over the years, as it has spanned eight design generations and finally was successfully released on a mid-engine platform in 2019. The experts at Motor Authority provided a blog feature over the past week that talked about the hellacious power and how the 2023 Chevy Corvette ZO6 is “bursting at the steel seams.” They provided this video that illustrates how the Chevy engineers accomplished putting the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 ever under the hood. 

A naturally-aspirated engine will result in a much more solid and polished driving experience, and it shares a lot of similarities with the Corvette C8.R. The code name for the new engine is LT6, and part of the many demands during development was that it had to make more ready and raucous horsepower than the C7 Corvette ZO6’s 6.2-liter V8.

The LT6 features dual overhead camshafts as well as a flat-plane crankshaft: the latter has made an appearance in numerous Ferrari engines, as well as the Voodoo V-8 that was the capable and ideally brash power source on deck for the Shelby GT350 Mustang. Since there are now smaller and much lighter rotating parts, this design will have the trait of less inertia than a traditional cross-plane crankshaft, which provides more freedom for the engine to offer up its trademark rev without much difficulty. 

Speaking of which, the LT6 also sounds like no other Chevy V8 before it, with a high-pitched wail that delves into pure Supercar territory. The flat-plane crank allows this LT6 to rev to 8,600 RPM, and was also specifically designed to properly partner up with tuning valves in the intake manifold that will help the all-important air flow moving in on cooling duty. This intake system also uses an occurrence called Helmholtz resonance that ups the amount of volumetric efficiency and makes for more of an aggressive and useful torque curve. 

The result of all these hardcore specifics within the engineering realm is a very fast 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. These stats are greater than the horsepower output of the C7 Z06 by 20 hp, but the C8 Z06 cannot necessarily match the C7’s 650 lb-ft of torque. All of us here at West love the fact that the Z06 has a much more track-focused attitude and stance. It also arrives with bolder styling cues and performance traits ready to scorch some serious pavement. The addition of the Z07 package allows you to enjoy the ultimate high-octane care package of extras with a tuned suspension, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, and high-performance Michelin Pilot Cup 2R ZP tires. 

2022 Corvette Z06 Detail Docket: Shedding Light on the Incoming Performance Prototype

With the New Year just beginning, car buyers nationwide are enjoying all of the features and value prospect of the 2021 fleet. From the Silverado to the Equinox, there are some fantastic new vehicles here at West Chevy of Knoxville, and a wide range of functions and trim levels for family drivers on up to sporty and aggressive crossover SUVs. After the release of the mid-engined C8 Corvette, the attention and rave reviews it nailed down worldwide had everyone anxious to see what cornering-proficient and power-rich Corvette was on the way next.

The 2022 Corvette Z06 is on track to be the most powerful one yet and is supposed to receive wider, stickier tires along with much more powerful brakes. With drastic aerodynamic improvement and a long list of driver assistance features, the Corvette's long-standing fan base is going to go wild over this incoming track lover's feast. The C8 offered the most driver-focused cabin yet, and the minute that many first-time drivers sat inside they compared the build to the world's top supercars that boast a much higher price tag.

With the exotic flat-plane crank V8 under the hood, the 2022 Z06 is going to emit a throaty rumble not like any 'Vette that has come before and still inherits the best technology traits from the regular model. The naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V8 is expected to generate over 600 horsepower, mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic and rear-wheel drive. Defining one point of reference to put one in the mindset of how much power will be at the Z06's disposal, the 495-horsepower Z51 went from zero to 60 in just 2.8 seconds and blasted through the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 122 mph.

Suspension tuning on vehicles that are going to be spending a large amount of their time on the track is very important, as an in-depth re-calibration and other active aerodynamics will improve every inch of handling. A car this good deserves the ultimate sound system to enjoy during the thrills, and you have the choice of a Bose 10-speaker system along with 14-speaker upgrade. A car like this could quite likely be tempting when left in anyone's hands such as a valet, and the Performance Data Recorder on board can keep track of any “untrained stunt moves” that could inevitably result.

As the staff on duty at Jalopnik pointed out, the RPM potential for the Z06 is even higher than the notoriously-high redline supercars such as the Lamborghini Huracan Evo and Aventador SVJ. This is the vehicle that will no doubt howl so loudly in the hot summer lot at local car shows that excited spectators will be begging for just one more rev! We'll also be keeping our eyes on the potential for a complete exhaust overhaul, that will go hand in hand with the new engine to have the audible distinction of a destroying and mammoth caliber.

Check out the pictures of the 2022 Corvette Z06 here.

The Corvette Z06 Beats the Competition in the Car and Driver Lightning Lap

The Corvette Z06 combines superior downforce technology, lightweight carbon-fiber materials, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and 650 horsepower to beat out some of the worlds biggest and most respected supercars.

It only took 2 minutes and 44.6 seconds for the Z06 to make it around the Virginia International Raceway during the Car and Driver Lightning Lap. On the 4.1 mile track, the Z06 averaged 89.7 mph, cornered at 1.47g, and reached an impressive top speed of 153.5 mph. In the entire history of the event, only the Porsche 918 Spyder has beat the Z06’s lap time—and it costs 8 times as much! Chevrolet has certainly perfected the “thrill ride” with the Corvette Z06.

Come in to West Chevrolet today and experience the Corvette Z06 for yourself!