Chevrolet Corvette Z06’s cold startup screams good morning, America! The set of pipes attached to Chevy’s naturally-aspirated, flat-plane crank 5.5-liter V-8 is nothing short of symphonious, and its parade of horsepower and circular-saw exhaust note celebrates the existence of the greatest Corvette ever built. The Z06 is the most aggressive version of the Corvette Stingray and, although it’s still a worthy daily driver, its sharper set of track day tools has turned what was already a great car into a predator. The Z06 is 3.5 inches wider than the Stingray, has an 8500 rpm redline, and offers optional carbon-fiber wheels fitted to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ZP race rubber that measures more than 13.5 inches wide at the rear. The Z06 offers the sort of stunning performance you find in ultra-expensive exotics such as the Ferrari 296GTB, but at the much lower starting price of a Porsche Cayman GT4.
What’s New for 2024?
Not to worry, the Chevy doesn’t shave any of the crazy off the Z06 for 2024. The Z06 earns new colors: Riptide Blue Metallic, Cacti Green, and the optional Sea Wolf Gray Tricoat. Five new accent colors for the available dual racing stripes have been added too. You can now get carbon-fiber wheels with a red stripe, there’s a new appearance package for the engine, and the rear video camera mirror is now standard equipment.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 starts at $114,395 and goes up to $132,845 depending on the trim and options.The Corvette Z06’s six-figure starting price is no surprise given the car’s performance attributes, but it’s still a bargain—a couple hundred thousand dollars less—compared to European supercars with similar equipment. We’d go with the base 1LZ Coupe, then it’s up to you if want the firmer-riding Z07 Performance package, which adds track-tuned suspension, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and high-performance Michelin Pilot Cup 2R ZP track tires. Selecting this package also requires adding the Carbon Aero package, which adds carbon-fiber exterior elements, including a front splitter and a rear spoiler. You can also add the Carbon Aero package for the standard Z06, which is how we’d probably order ours.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The new Corvette Z06 receives a special engine that makes it sound similar to the supercars it’s trying to dethrone. Its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 features a flat-plane crank and revs to 8500 rpm. The engine produces 670 horsepower and has a Ferrari-like howl that’ll send shivers down your spine—and have bystanders swiveling in your direction. The unconventional V-8 hooks up to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Performance is explosive: at our test track, the Z06 coupe blasted to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and sailed through the quarter-mile mark in 10.5 seconds at 131 mph. The convertible needed just 0.1 second longer to reach 60 mph in our testing. A set of wider, stickier tires and more powerful brakes help it corner harder and stop shorter than the regular Vette. Chevy also has strengthened the Corvette’s structure and transformed the chassis to ensure the Z06’s performance advantages are most obvious at the racetrack. To unlock its full potential, an optional Z07 package adds aerodynamic elements, reduces weight, and further upgrades the brakes and tires. The car comes standard with 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminum wheels, but a set of lighter and stronger carbon-fiber rollers are optional. We also tested a 2023 Corvette Z06 as part of a 0-to-150-to-0 speed test where it returned to a stop in just 22.5 seconds, beating its nemesis, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, by almost two seconds.
| Category | Z06 w/Z07 (Coupe) | Z06 Convertible |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Mid-engine, RWD, 2-passenger, 2-door targa | Mid-engine, RWD, 2-passenger, 2-door convertible |
| Base / As-Tested Price | $127,185 / $166,205 | $116,795 / $162,510 |
| Engine | 5.5L DOHC 32-valve V8 | 5.5L DOHC 32-valve V8 |
| Power | 670 hp @ 8400 rpm | 670 hp @ 8400 rpm |
| Torque | 460 lb-ft @ 6300 rpm | 460 lb-ft @ 6300 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Suspension (F/R) | Control arms / Control arms | Ind. control arms, coil springs, 3-position dampers |
| Brakes (F/R) | 15.7″/15.4″ Carbon-ceramic (cross-drilled) | 15.7″/15.4″ Carbon-ceramic (cross-drilled) |
| Tires | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ZP | Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP |
| Tire Sizes (F/R) | 275/30ZR-20 / 345/25ZR-21 | 275/30ZR-20 / 345/25ZR-21 |
| Wheelbase | 107.2 in | 107.2 in |
| Length / Width / Height | 185.9 / 79.7 / 48.6 in | 185.9 / 79.7 / 48.6 in |
| Passenger Volume | 51 ft³ | 51 ft³ |
| Cargo Volume | 13 ft³ | 13 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3666 lb | 3799 lb |
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Z06’s EPA fuel economy estimates of 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway make the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck look efficient. When we get a chance, we’ll take the Z06 on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route and update this story with its real-world results. For more information about the Corvette Z06’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Bow Tie brand went above and beyond to ensure that the mid-engine Corvette’s interior could not be called boring. While the design certainly transcends what’s found on every other Chevy model, the square steering wheel and wall of climate-control buttons on the center console are unusual elements, to say the least. Still, the cabin layout caters to the driver, and the list of standard and optional features is extensive. It includes a digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, heated and ventilated seats, and even wireless phone charging. Its track-worthiness is made more apparent inside with microsuede accents and more aggressively bolstered seats, as well as two carbon-fiber-intensive interior packages. The Corvette’s capacious rear trunk should continue to provide a spot for drivers to carry two sets of golf clubs.
| Metric | Z06 w/Z07 (Coupe) | Z06 Convertible |
|---|---|---|
| 0–60 mph | 2.6 sec | 2.7 sec |
| 100 mph | 5.9 sec | 6.1 sec |
| 1/4-Mile | 10.5 sec @ 131 mph | 10.7 sec @ 129 mph |
| 150 mph | 15.2 sec | 16.3 sec |
| 170 mph | 24.9 sec | 27.7 sec |
| Rolling Start (5–60 mph) | 3.1 sec | 3.1 sec |
| Top Gear (30–50 / 50–70 mph) | 2.0 / 2.2 sec | 2.0 / 2.2 sec |
| Top Speed (claimed) | 189 mph | 189 mph |
| Braking (70–0 mph) | 139 ft | 144 ft |
| Braking (100–0 mph) | 274 ft | 282 ft |
| Skidpad (300-ft) | 1.16 g | 1.12 g |
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Chevy provides all of its models with a middle-of-the-road limited and powertrain warranty. While the company offers more complimentary maintenance than automakers who skip the free service altogether, it’s one of the industry’s shortest plans.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
