If a decade ago you’d suggested the Chevrolet Corvette would be a serious challenger to Ferrari, Porsche and other European supercar brands you would have been laughed at.
Nobody’s laughing now… actually, that’s not entirely true. I’m laughing with joy as I head down the back straight at Sandown Raceway behind the wheel of Corvette Z06, as the race-inspired V8 engine screams towards its 8600rpm redline.
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It’s been three long years since Chevrolet revealed the Z06 and General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) confirmed it would be sold in Australia, but finally it has arrived in all of its track-ready glory. The Z06 has been developed with the track at the forefront, even though it remains road-legal, and features a raft of elements designed to be shared with the racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R.
That includes the engine, a new Chevrolet small block V8 that is 5.5-litres and features a flat-plane crankshaft design, which helps it rev harder and deliver its power in a more linear fashion. And as an added bonus it sounds absolutely amazing, more like a European supercar than the throatier growl of the 6.2-litre V8 in the C8 Stingray.
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This isn’t just a marketing exercise either, Chevrolet has taken design of its Corvette racing car in-house for this GT3 machine (having previously outsourced the work) and it has allowed for much more crossover between the race and road versions of the Z06. As a result, Chevrolet claims the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, gaskets and a variety of other sensors are all shared between the car I’m driving and the one that took to the track at Le Mans, Daytona and more this year.
Even though our initial drive of the car was limited to a few laps of Sandown, the Z06 immediately impressed with its performance. The engine doesn’t just sound amazing, it feels incredibly fast, easily blasting beyond 225km/h down the front straight, before this reviewer decides not to tempt too much fate into the tight first turn.
GALLERY: Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Not that the corners are a problem for the Z06, especially as our test example is fitted with the optional Z07 package, which adds the unmissable rear wing as well as aero additions at the front, plus our car had the optional carbon ceramic brakes and Australian-made carbon fibre wheels. All these extra make this the ultimate version of the Z06 and enhance its track abilities, helping it stop stronger, turn sharper and feel more stable in the faster corners.
For those who want a seriously capable track car that can be driven to and from the circuit, the Corvette Z06 is a new option to challenge the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3, Lamborghini Huracan STO, McLaren 765LT and Ferrari 296 GTB.
Against those rivals the Corvette has a couple of distinct advantages that will appeal to enthusiasts. Firstly, it has a naturally-aspirated V8 engine, which are in increasingly scarcity these days and make the Chevy stand out. Secondly, even though the Z06 starts at $336,000 and then the Z07 pack adds $50,000 and the carbon wheels another $22,000, even at $408,000 it’s more affordable than any of its competitors. Finally, even if the Chevrolet bowtie on the nose isn’t quite in the same league as the Rampaging Bull or Prancing Horse, the Z06 will likely be a fairly rare sight on Australian roads and that should enhance its appeal.
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