Is the C8 Corvette Z06 Really Too Heavy to Be a Track-Focused Car?

There isn’t much to dislike about the C8 Corvette Z06, but some are concerned about its hefty curb weight.

Thus far, we haven’t heard too many complaints about the C8 Corvette Z06, and for good reason. After all, this is a seriously impressive machine packing the most powerful production naturally-aspirated V8 in automotive history, and it sounds simply incredible. GM promises that the new Z06 will also be incredibly quick around a track, a notion that will be put to the test soon enough. However, we have seen some folks in the Corvette Forum complaining about the curb weight of the C8 Corvette Z06, with member Skeptical going so far as to call for the automaker to put the car on a big time diet in this thread.

“I don’t know how they’re going to do it, but GM has to get 700 pounds out of the ZO6,” he said. “To say that this is the most track-focused car they have ever built, while weighing 3700+ pounds is ludicrous. I think the ZO6 will be an amazing engine wrapped in a let down of a car. If they ever sell the drivetrain as a crate engine, then I will buy one and put it in an Ultima RS, or whichever version they’re selling at the time.”

Of course, there are tradeoffs associated with super light cars these days, particularly in a world where driver-assist and safety equipment adds considerable weight to vehicles, as many members point out. “There is virtually no market for a stripped down, uncomfortable, expensive track car. GM is in the business to make money,” said Michael A.  “You’re free to dump the comfy seats, carpet, insulation, A/C, radio, interior trim, mufflers, cats, big wheels, run flats, and whatever else you think doesn’t belong. The rest of us will happily option and enjoy the car the way GM intended,” said SharkDriveZ06.

Of course, the argument can be made that GM could fit a more hardcore, track-focused model in the Corvette lineup, since it has other variants that could provide a cushier experience for those that want it, a la the Porsche 911 and its lightweight yet no-frills GT3.

“That’s what a track focused car feels like. If you don’t want that, get a Carrera or a Turbo,” the OP said. “The Corvette corollary would be, get a Stingray or a ZR1. The Stingray is the car for the Saturday morning tee time crowd, and the ZR1 is the perfect car for the I just want to mash the pedal in a straight line and go fast while having all my conveniences, crowd. The Z06 is alleged to be a track car. It isn’t. But they made this awesome engine for it, and they really should make the rest of the car match that.”

This thread has unsurprisingly generated quite a response in a short period of time, with folks on both sides of the fence chiming in with their opinions on the matter. Thus, we want to know what you think – is the C8 Corvette Z06 too heavy to be a track-focused car, or can some clever engineering make up for its hefty curb weight? Head over here and let us know!

Photos: Chevrolet

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