What a tease.
I received the keys to this Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – full with the Z07 Efficiency Bundle – one unrelentingly wet week, one wherein I had no monitor time scheduled.
So right here I used to be on this wild-looking, track-ready supercar, and I couldn’t unleash its full potential. It was like having a bag stuffed with instruments and no DIY undertaking.
However hey, even when you did plan on shopping for and monitoring Chevy’s new flat-plane crank V8-powered Z06, that’s theoretically solely going to account for a small portion of your total driving. For monitor impressions, you possibly can take a look at James Wong’s evaluation.
So what’s the Z06 prefer to stay with? That I can inform you!
Very first thing you’ll must know is that this automobile is an introvert’s nightmare. I don’t suppose I’ve ever pushed a automobile that has attracted extra consideration, with the already aggressively styled Z06 enhanced additional by the Z07 Efficiency Bundle.
Our tester wore carbon-fibre floor results and dive planes, plus an unlimited rear wing.
The end result? Youngsters leaping up and down waving. Folks sticking their cell phones out of automobile home windows filming. Hell, somebody even adopted me down a avenue and pulled over as I used to be parking and requested to take photos of it.
The Z06 seems completely wild, and with the present C8 transferring the engine from up entrance to midship, it has proportions extra intently resembling a lot pricier Ferrari and Lamborghini supercars.
It’s the primary Corvette with a double overhead-cam, flat-plane crank V8, and slots in above the pushrod V8-powered Stingray and the electrified E-Ray, the latter of which uniquely incorporates a hybrid system and all-wheel drive.
Lacking from our shores up to now is the ZR1, which takes this new 5.5-litre V8 and bolts on a pair of turbochargers, or the not too long ago revealed ZR1X that mixes this engine with an AWD hybrid system just like the E-Ray’s.
If there was ever any query earlier than that the Corvette was a supercar, that appears to have been effectively and actually answered with the C8. And it’s the one American supercar, now that the Dodge Viper is gone and the Ford GT has died once more.
The way in which the sunshine bounces off the spoiler at night time would possibly call to mind the ’59 ‘batwing’ Chevys, however this can be a bona-fide Ferrari competitor. And but, it’s additionally surprisingly habitable.
How a lot does the Chevrolet Corvette value?
The Z06 is, up to now, the priciest member of the native Corvette lineup.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT | $186,990 |
| 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT | $201,990 |
| 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT convertible | $204,490 |
| 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT convertible | $219,490 |
| 2025 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray | $275,000 |
| 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | $336,000 |
It seems like a discount, particularly contemplating the most cost effective Ferrari is a $500k-plus proposition. However our tester had a raft of dear choices, together with:
- 20/21-inch seen carbon-fibre wheels: $23,990
- Carbon-ceramic brakes: $16,990
- Carbon-fibre rear spoiler: $13,000
- Seen carbon-fibre floor results: $7990
- Jet Black inside: $7020
- Competitors seats that includes Nappa leather-based
- Carbon-fibre trim
- Z07 suspension with Magnetic Experience Management: $6720
- Vivid purple brake calipers: $1625
- ‘Stealth’ inside trim: $1560
That’s near $80,000 in choices. We think about loads of Ferrari and Lamborghini consumers drop that a lot (or extra) in choices, nevertheless it’s shocking to see simply how lengthy the choices listing is on a Corvette – and the way a lot alternative you need to actually personalise your sports activities automobile.
To see how the Chevrolet Corvette traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s the Chevrolet Corvette like on the within?
Let’s deal with the elephant within the cabin.
Chevrolet not too long ago revealed an replace for the Corvette that makes some important modifications to its inside, together with the elimination of the distinctive row of buttons on the aspect of the centre console that separates the passenger’s aspect of the cabin.
Different modifications embody a bigger touchscreen and a rejigged centre console.
Subsequently, loads of the gripes we have now with the outgoing C8’s cabin will quickly be addressed. I’m personally a bit unhappy to see the wacky button bridge go, although.
What gained’t change with the replace is the fundamental structure, and that’s an excellent factor.
The design is putting, with a really driver-focused cockpit that sees the touchscreen angled in the direction of the driving force.
Getting in is a bit robust however when you’re in it’s snug, even for my lanky 6’3’’ nephew within the passenger seat.
The seats are heated and ventilated and show grippy and supportive, perfect for a spirited blast with out sacrificing day-to-day consolation. Your passenger could also be shocked to search out there’s no seize deal with, nonetheless.
The driving force sits behind a squared-off, chunky steering wheel with carbon-fibre trim, which may also be present in numerous locations all through the cabin, together with the centre console, and it’s utilized tastefully.
Set these items apart, and basically each floor has been given the looks of being leather-wrapped, with outstanding stitching. That is misleading, nonetheless.
There’s soft-touch trim on the doorways and the perimeters of the centre console, the place we’d argue that is essential. However there’s loads of onerous plastic too, together with the hood over the instrument cluster.
At circa-$190,000 for the bottom Stingray, I might virtually let this slide, however on the circa-$330,000 value level of the Z06 it’s disappointing. A minimum of all of the trim, whether or not onerous or smooth, seems uniform, although we did observe some janky stitching on one aspect of the centre console.
There’s a helpful head-up show, whereas the devices are all digital and have a number of completely different layouts.
Chevrolet has employed slick graphics for the digital cluster, that are paying homage to Lotus’ Unreal Engine-based graphics, nonetheless they’re let down by some slight pixelation.
The infotainment system can be acquainted to anyone who has been in a current Chevrolet product, very similar to a few of the bodily switchgear.
However the infotainment system works effectively, with an intuitive menu construction, a dependable wi-fi connection for smartphone mirroring, and enticing graphics, and just like the carryover switchgear it really works effectively. Would consumers actually discover these things have been utilized in lesser Chevrolets if it wasn’t identified by motoring journalists?
We are going to ding Chevy for the column stalks, nonetheless – these could possibly be a lot nicer for this value level. Additionally, the cupholders are horrible as they lack a rubberised base and look low cost. You can even get a cell phone caught within the hole subsequent to the lid when it’s open, and it’s a nuisance attempting to retrieve it.
The air-conditioning is superb, which is to be anticipated for a corporation that when counted Frigidaire as one in every of its subsidiaries.
Having the controls on that uncommon ‘bridge’ appears goofy at first, nevertheless it’s refreshing to have bodily switchgear for all of this and it’s simply accessible by each occupants. Alas, this design cue goes away with a coming MY26 improve.
Storage isn’t precisely considerable within the cabin, although you do get a centre console bin.
There are two baggage compartments, one behind the engine and one up entrance. The one within the rear can match an in a single day bag or two, and you may squeeze a small duffel into the entrance compartment.
The Z06 might be had solely as a coupe in Australia, although it has a detachable roof panel. Pull two levers and it pops off simply, and when you manoeuvre it appropriately it may well match within the rear baggage compartment.
In the event you look behind your self, you possibly can admire the engine, proudly displayed underneath a glass cowl.
| Dimensions | Chevrolet Corvette Z06 |
|---|---|
| Size | 4734mm |
| Width | 2024mm (excl. mirrors) |
| Top | 1234mm |
| Wheelbase | 2723mm |
To see how the Chevrolet Corvette traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Z06 often is the priciest Corvette in Australia, nevertheless it’s not the quickest from 0-100km/h. The E-Ray beats it to the century by only one tenth of a second.
| Specs | Chevrolet Corvette Z06 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.5L naturally aspirated V8 |
| Energy | 475kW |
| Torque | 595Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Drive sort | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1661kg (minimal tare mass) |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 3.0 seconds |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | N/A |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 17.3L/100km (inner-city, suburban and freeway loop) 19.3L/100km (over the course of every week) |
| Gasoline tank capability | 70L |
| Gasoline requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded |
To see how the Chevrolet Corvette traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How does the Chevrolet Corvette drive?
Let’s deal with the elephant within the drive first: the sound.
Australia makes use of the identical exhaust setup as Europe, which sees the centre-mounted shops changed with 4 shops, two on either side on the rear.
Not solely does this make the Z06 look extra just like the cheaper Stingray and E-Ray, it means it doesn’t sound pretty much as good as both of these cheaper variants.
We parked a Z06 subsequent to a E-Ray for a rev take a look at – within the pursuits of science, after all – and it was the hybrid that sounded higher. The Z06 additionally has a rev-limiter, stopping it from being revved past 3000rpm when stationary.
If you wish to exhibit to your pals how your Z06 sounds, then, you’re going to be upset. Thoughts you, it doesn’t sound unhealthy… it simply doesn’t sound pretty much as good as a supercar at this value must.
Discover out extra
Discover out extra in regards to the automobile
When you’re on the transfer, the Z06 has a particular sound of its personal. It has a beautiful metallic growl if you punch it, although it tends to drone.
Settled right into a cruise with the engine revving at round 2000rpm, there’s this omnipresent clatter of kinds. It’s a much less widespread sort of V8 with a much less widespread sort of noise, and you might or might not prefer it.
A minimum of noise suppression within the cabin is nice, permitting you to simply keep it up a dialog even with the engine actually proper behind you. And what a delight it’s to look behind you and see that huge V8 proudly on show.
Chances are you’ll or might not just like the sound, however you’ll discover it a lot tougher to fault how this engine feels.
For starters, it’s bloody fast. You collect tempo quickly, and this can be a V8 that likes to be revved.
The eight-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission handles the grunt of the 5.5-litre V8 terrifically.
At low speeds, it feels extra like a standard computerized, and in Touring and Climate drive modes the throttle remains to be progressive and isn’t dulled.
As you construct up revs, the Z06 begins to select up the tempo and strikes by means of the gears with ease. Shifts are speedy, and it doesn’t maintain onto gears annoyingly lengthy, even in Sport mode the place they’re extra pronounced.
The present gear helpfully seems within the instrument cluster, and I by no means felt the necessity to use these attractive carbon-fibre paddle shifters.
Naturally, in Sport mode shifts really feel extra pronounced. Drive modes are selectable by way of a rotary dial on the centre console.
Much more intuitive to make use of is the Z button on the steering wheel, which places the steering, suspension, engine, engine sound, transmission and brakes of their most aggressive settings.
There’s additionally a customisable My Mode, permitting you to toggle your most popular settings for steering, suspension, engine sound and brake really feel. I configured it to have the suspension within the softest setting, the steering to the intermediate setting, and engine noise to the loudest.
The steering is terrific by way of weighting and really feel, and the Z06 has a sharp nostril with small inputs resulting in direct actions.
Even in its intermediate weight setting, the Z06’s steering doesn’t really feel overly heavy. The form of the wheel and its slick carbon-fibre elements discourage you from driving along with your fingers at 10 and a pair of, so that you’ll need to put them at 9 and three the place they belong.
The Z06 handles prefer it’s on rails, feeling completely poised in corners. Oh how I want I might have taken this to the monitor…
The tyres have an abundance of grip, and even within the moist there’s nonetheless a stable reference to the highway. The carbon-ceramic brakes on our tester additionally work splendidly, with out feeling ridiculously grabby in common driving.
You would possibly suppose the Z06, wanting the way in which it does, will really feel too excessive for the each day commute. You’d be unsuitable.
Okay, I discovered it a bit worrying to drive, however that was virtually totally resulting from all that fragile-looking carbon-fibre on the outside.
There’s fortunately a nostril raise system to stop you from tearing up the bumper in your driveway, however you’ll nonetheless need to watch out within the Z06.
You may regulate the firmness of the suspension, and even in Sport mode it’s taut however snug.
Visibility out of the Z06 is terrible, so what a aid Chevrolet included a digital rear-view mirror and blind-spot monitoring.
The Z06 has a reversing digicam and two entrance cameras, which it stitches collectively for an overhead view. However there’s no conventional surround-view digicam.
Additionally lacking from the options listing are rain-sensing wipers, which is an odd omission.
To see how the Chevrolet Corvette traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What do you get?
The Z06 sits atop the native Corvette vary.
2025 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 gear highlights:
- 20-inch (entrance) and 21-inch (rear) alloy wheels
- Michelin Pilot Sport Excessive Efficiency 4S run-flat tyres (275/30ZR20 entrance, 345/25ZR21 rear)
- Brembo six-piston entrance and four-piston rear brake calipers
- Z06 Efficiency Suspension
- Magnetic Selective Experience Management
- Efficiency Traction Administration
- Manually adjustable suspension (camber entrance and rear, peak rear solely)
- Quad exhaust shops
- Digital limited-slip differential
- Entrance raise system
- Digital rear-view mirror
- LED headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Proximity entry with push-button begin
- Energy-folding, heated exterior mirrors
- Tender-close engine hatch cowl
- Tender-close entrance bonnet
- Detachable roof
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 12-inch digital instrument cluster
- Head-up show
- Efficiency Information Recorder
- 14-speaker Bose sound system
- 8-way power-adjustable GT2 entrance seats
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Heated, leather-based and carbon-fibre steering wheel
- Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
There’s additionally an enormous choices listing, and apart from these talked about earlier it’s also possible to specify your Z06 with numerous completely different wheels, stripes, and brake caliper and seatbelt colors, in addition to a clear roof.
To see how the Chevrolet Corvette traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
Is the Chevrolet Corvette protected?
The Chevrolet Corvette hasn’t been assessed by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Normal security gear consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking (low-speed)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Entrance and front-side airbags
- Entrance and rear cameras
- Rear parking sensors
There’s additionally a digital rear-view mirror which, belief us, in a automobile with blind spots like that is most positively a security characteristic.
To see how the Chevrolet Corvette traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Chevrolet Corvette value to run?
The Corvette’s aftersales providing isn’t spectacular.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Chevrolet Corvette Z06 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 3 years, 100,000km |
| Roadside help | 3 years |
| Service intervals | 1 yr or 12,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | None |
To see how the Chevrolet Corvette traces up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Given the worth premium of not solely the Z06 over different Corvettes, but in addition this loaded Z06 over the common Z06, you’d need to be taking this to the monitor.
There’s no query this has a singular really feel relative to the cheaper Stingray and E-Ray, from the distinctive engine be aware to the way in which energy is delivered. Then there are the enhancements that include the Z07 bundle, which assist make the ‘Vette much more of a monitor weapon.
However the Z06 carries a premium of over $60,000 over an E-Ray and over $130,000 greater than a Stingray, and that’s earlier than you take note of choices and on-road prices.
Is that this the very best Corvette for monitor work? Within the absence of the ZR1 in Australia, we’d argue sure. And the Z06, regardless of its important impost, remains to be cheaper than a comparable supercar with a bull or prancing horse badge.
You simply must determine how a lot that larger monitor focus over a Stingray is value, and if that determine is kind of than $134,000. And in case you are pleased to pay Z06 cash, we reckon a brand new exhaust must be your subsequent buy.
Regardless, the Corvette is enjoying within the huge league now, and this can be a compelling American various to Europe’s most interesting.
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