Corvette Z06: A Brief History Ahead of the Coming C8 Z06 Reveal

Brush up on your Corvette Z06 history across all four generations before the all-new C8 Z06 debuts.

Since the day the C8 was revealed, Corvette fans have been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of its more hardcore, track-focused variant – the Corvette Z06. The Z06 nameplate has long been a critical piece of Corvette history, dating all the way back to 1963, when it was offered as an option package for owners who intended to take their cars to the track.

Since then the Z06 has been offered in some way, shape, or form for four of the Corvette’s now eight generations, with a fifth coming soon. Thus, we thought now would be a great time to take a quick look back at how we got here, as well as revisit what we know about the forthcoming C8 Z06 so far.

C2 Z06

Developed under famed Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, the first Z06 package added a thicker, 24mm (0.94-inch) front stabilizer bar, larger-diameter shock absorbers, stiffer springs, upgraded brake components including sintered-metal brake linings, a dual-circuit master cylinder, vacuum brake booster, and an optional 36.5-gallon fiberglass fuel tank that allowed racers to stay on the track longer.

There was one engine available with the Z06 package – the 360-horsepower L84-code 327-cubic-inch small-block, which featured an advanced mechanical fuel injection system. It was mated to a four-speed manual transmission and Positraction rear axle. Just 199 C2 Z06 Corvettes were built in total.

C5 Z06

The Z06 didn’t make a comeback until 2001 when it was reintroduced on the C5 Corvette hardtop. Engineers shaved 100 pounds off the car with a titanium exhaust system, thinner glass, lighter wheels, conventional tires in place of the standard run-flat tires, less sound-deadening material, a fixed radio antenna instead of a power antenna, and even a smaller, lighter battery.

The 2001 Z06 used an exclusive LS6 version of the Gen III small-block engine. It featured unique internal parts, including a “hotter” camshaft and higher-compression pistons, and an enhanced cylinder block design for greater bay-to-bay breathing, helping it produce 385 horsepower. Further enhancements contributed to an increase to 405 horsepower in 2002. The engine was backed by a six-speed manual transmission with Z06-specific gear ratios.

Like the original 1963 Z06, the fifth-generation car included chassis and suspension components optimized for the track. Its exclusive FE4 suspension package featured larger-diameter, hollow stabilizer bars that also had thicker walls for greater stiffness, larger-diameter shock absorbers compared to standard models, quicker steering – 2.46 turns lock to lock vs. 2.66 on other models – and a larger wheel-and-tire package, featuring Goodyear Eagle F1 SC tires mounted on lighter, stiffer forged aluminum wheels.

C6 Z06

The C6 Z06 featured a power-to-weight ratio of 6.2:1 – one of the best in the world at the time – helping it run from 0-60 mph in about 3.7 seconds, through the quarter-mile in the low-11-second range, and achieve a top speed of more than 190 mph. The foundation of the C6 Z06 was its own, dedicated aluminum chassis – the first unique frame for a special model Corvette.

The Z06’s aluminum frame was 136 pounds lighter than the comparable steel frame used in standard models and even incorporated a magnesium engine cradle, contributing to a curb weight of only 3,130 pounds. Mounted on that cradle was another leap in technology – the LS7 small block engine. Displacing 7.0-liters (427 cubic inches), it was the largest engine offered in the Corvette in more than 30 years – and the most powerful engine in Corvette’s history until the introduction of the ZR1.

The LS7 used airflow and lightweight technology, including titanium connecting rods and a dry-sump oiling system, derived from the Corvette Racing program to produce 505 horsepower.

C7 Z06

The C7 Corvette Z06 was the first Z06 to offer a supercharged engine, an automatic transmission, and, thanks to a stiffer aluminum frame, a removable roof panel. It was also the most track-capable Corvette, ever, when it debuted in 2015.

The C7 Z06 is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. It was available with either a seven-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

An available carbon-fiber aero package adds a carbon fiber front splitter with aviation-style winglets, carbon fiber rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler with a fixed wickerbill. The available Z07 package adds larger winglets, an adjustable, see-through center section on the rear spoiler, Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires, and carbon ceramic-matrix brakes.

C8 Z06

As we reported recently, the C8 Z06 is expected to mark a return of naturally-aspirated power with a new 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 that will reportedly produce somewhere between 615 and 625 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, with a 9,000 rpm redline.

Expected options on the C8 Z06 include carbon-fiber wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, lots of aero, magnetic ride control, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, all at a starting MSRP of around $80,000. The latest Z06 is expected to be revealed at any time now, as we’ve already seen a number of prototypes out testing.

Photos: Chevrolet, Corvette Forum

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