Chevrolet have introduced the most potent track avatar of the Corvette yet, the 2015 Z06!
The Corvette has always been an iconic name among enthusiasts and those on the racing circuit. The excitement it packages oozes through its design, and the new car breaks new grounds in power and performance levels as well as aerodynamic efficiency.
The new Corvette Z06 builds on the advances from the stingray, offering, for the first time ever, a big supercharged V8, an eight-speed automatic transmission option and even a removable roof section; the latter thanks to its much stronger aluminium frame.
The highlight is the new LT4 supercharged, direct injected 6.2-litre V8 with continuously variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. The Eaton R1740 1.7-litre supercharger spins up to 20,000 RPM – 5,000 RPM more than the unit on the Corvette ZR1’s LS9 motor – and is much more efficient generating lower turbulence and creating lesser heat, while increasing air flow to the engine. The result? Over 625 PS and 860 Nm of torque.
The standard ‘box is the seven-speed manual transmission with Active RevMatch, a dual mass flywheel and a dual-disc clutch setup. Also available, is the 8L90 eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, which has been tuned to optimise response and efficiency depending on the driving situation at hand. To match the performance, the rubber was upgraded as well. Michelin Pilot Super Sport wraps in 285/30 ZR19 (front) and 335/30 ZR20 (rear), wider than the Corvette Stingray, are standard. The Carbon-Fibre Aero package further increases downforce levels on the car.
The available Z07 package brings further upgrades, with the tyres being Sport Cup 2 spec, aerodynamics receive a tweak with a larger front splitter and a see-through rear spoiler (for track-only use), while the Brembo carbon-ceramic matrix brake rotors are larger, lighter units too.
The Corvette Z06 also features a Drive Mode Selector, StabiliTrak traction control system with launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. All of these elements mean translate to out-of-the-box track-ready and extremely sharp performance and handling characteristics.
Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer, stated, “The Corvette Z06 is a great example of the technology transfer between racing and production Corvettes. First, we took what we learned on the Corvette Racing C6.R and applied that to the all-new Corvette Stingray. Then, using the Stingray as a foundation, the Z06 and C7.R were developed to push the envelope of performance on the street and the track.”
Story: Jim Gorde
Images: Chevrolet Press
