There are a select few cars that have been produced over the course of history that have a superpower. No, we’re not talking about their ability to fly, or their ability to move faster than a speeding bullet, or even have more torque than a locomotive. No, the real superpower that only a select few cars have had is the ability to turn someone that isn’t passionate about cars, and make them fall in love anyway. Historically, cars like the Lamborghini Countach or Ferrari F40 had this power in the ‘80s, while the Acura NSX and Dodge Viper had it in the ‘90s, the Porsche Carrera GT and Ford GT displayed it in the ‘00s, and the Nissan GT-R and Audi R8 did this in the ‘10s. But now for the ‘20s, we have a few great options. But, one of those cars has just debuted, and that car is the mighty C8 Chevrolet Z06.
But it isn’t just about being fast, or being great looking… though the Z06 has both of these characteristics in spades. Power comes from a brand new mid-mounted 5.5-liter flat-plane crank DOHC, naturally-aspirated and direct-injected V8 that produces a ridiculous 670-horsepower at an astounding 8,400 rpm as well as 460 pound-feet of torque at 6,300 rpm. Thanks to that flat-plane crank, Z06’s engine, code-named the LT6, revs to a spine-tingling 9,000 rpm. It is also worth noting that the LT6 is the first time a Corvette has had a dual-overhead cam engine in it since the C4 ZR1, which was aptly code-named the LT5. Power from that monster LT6 then is routed through an 8-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission and on to the rear wheels. Sadly, no true manual transmission is available for the C8 in any trim, Z06 or Stingray.
Although the C8 Chevrolet Z06 isn’t the lightest car out there with a curb weight of 3,774 pounds, the fact that most of that weight sits directly over the rear wheels helps keep this car glued to the asphalt. Opt for the $8,995 Z07 Performance Package, and the Z06 manages to get even meaner we thought possible. Massive carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes, Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension, and barely-street-legal Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2R rubber that measures 275/30ZR-20 up front and steam-roller sized 345/25ZR-21 out back. The net result of all those performance parts? 0-60 mph in a blistering 2.6 seconds, a top speed of 195 mph, and able to pull an incredible 1.22 g of lateral force around the skidpad. For perspective, those numbers will give a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ a run for its money, for about one-fifth of the price.
But the C8 Chevrolet Z06 is more than just a chassis with an engine bolted to it. Inside, depending on which trim you choose (1LZ, 2LZ, or the top-of-the-line 3LZ), you are entitled to a host of fun options. If the soundtrack of the LT6 isn’t enough for you, then opt for the 14-speaker Bose sound system that is integrated with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System that sports navigations as well as an 8-inch color touchscreen. There is also a performance data and video recorder to track your track progress, or just have fun around a twisty road somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Soft Napa leather is available on the 3LZ, as are the GT2 bucket seats, which can be optioned out for even more race-oriented Competition Sport seats. There is also a multitude of top options for the Z06. You can get a body-color top, transparent unit, an exposed carbon-fiber piece, or a combination of either the body-color or carbon-fiber plus the transparent roof as a package.
The C8 Chevrolet Z06 combines beauty, brawn and an intangible quality that makes it just a little more special than just the combination of those qualities. Climb into it, and the visceral, engaging experience the Z provides with its massive power, telepathic handling, and shrieking redline shifts is enough to elicit shock, awe, and infatuation from onlookers, whether they recognize what they just saw or not. Sure, a base price of $105,300 isn’t cheap, but then what is the appropriate price one can put on a life changing experience?
Photos: Chevrolet
