With racing-inspired powertrain and suspension features, the Corvette Z06 delivers exceptional levels of capability and technology, making it one of the best performance values on the market. It has an aluminum frame, with carbon-fiber fenders and door panels, making it the lightest Corvette model available.
Design – The Z06 has an unmistakable and aggressive appearance, with design cues that include:
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A wide front fascia with a large, forward-facing grille opening, a splitter along the bottom and wheel opening extensions along the sides to provide aerodynamic downforce
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A cold-air scoop in front of the hood that integrates an air inlet system for the engine
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The trailing edge of the front wheel opening is radiused to achieve improved drag, but protects the body finish with a tough molding, and a large air extractor is behind the wheel
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A fixed-roof body style optimizes body rigidity and mass
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Wide rear fenders with flares cover the massive rear tires and a brake cooling scoop in front of the wheels visually balances the fender extractor
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A tall rear spoiler houses the CHMSL on the top of the rear fascia
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10-spoke spider-design wheels (18-inch front; 19-inch rear)
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Four large stainless steel exhaust outlets
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Z06 badging on the carbon-fiber front fenders
The aerodynamics of the Z06’s exterior were shaped by the experiences of the Corvette racing program, where high-speed stability and cornering capability are paramount. While the race cars use large rear wings, the Z06’s elevated spoiler provides sufficient downforce to balance the road-worthy front splitter without adversely affecting aerodynamic drag.
For all of its race-inspired functionality, the Z06 is designed to be a daily-drivable high-performance vehicle. To that end, comfort and convenience are held to a very high standard. High-Intensity Discharge lighting, fog lamps, leather seating, dual-zone air conditioning, cabin air filtration and head-up display (HUD) with track mode and g-meter are standard.
The Z06 gauge cluster displays the Z06 logo on the 7000-redline tachometer, and has a readout on the oil pressure gauge to reflect the higher standard pressure of the dry-sump oiling system. The seats feature two-tone leather surfaces with Z06-logo embroidery and contrasting stitching.
LS7 engine – The Z06’s LS7 7.0L (427 cubic inches) engine delivers 505 horsepower (377 kW) in a 3,175-pound (1,440 kg) package – a combination that delivers 0-60 performance of 3.7 seconds in first gear, quarter-mile times of 11.7 seconds at 125 mph and a top speed of 198 mph (as recorded on Germany’s Autobahn).
Drivetrain – The Corvette Z06’s powertrain and drivetrain systems are matched to the LS7’s performance capability. The light, four-into-one headers discharge into close-coupled catalytic converters and through two-mode mufflers. The mufflers each feature a vacuum-actuated outlet valve, which controls exhaust noise during low-load operation but opens for maximum power.
At the rear of the LS7 engine, a single-mass flywheel and lightweight, high-capacity clutch channel torque to the rear transaxle. The six-speed manual transmission has been strengthened to handle the LS7’s increased torque load. The transmission includes a pump that sends transmission fluid to the front radiator for cooling. Upon its return, the fluid removes additional heat from the differential lube before returning to the transmission. The six-speed transmission connects to a limited-slip differential, with enlarged ring and pinion gears. Stronger axle half-shafts with tougher universal joints transmit power to the rear wheels.
Structure – The Z06 has a unique aluminum body structure for optimum stiffness and light weight for the fixed-roof body style. Perimeter rails are one-piece hydroformed aluminum members featuring cast suspension nodes, which replace many welded steel components on other Corvette models. Advanced structural composites featuring carbon-fiber are bonded to the aluminum structure. The wider front wheelhouses, for example, are carbon composites and the passenger compartment floors combine carbon-fiber skins with an ultra-lightweight balsa wood core.
The Z06 has a magnesium cradle that serves as the attachment point for the engine and some front suspension components. Magnesium is lighter than aluminum, yet incredibly strong. The magnesium cradle helps improve the front-to-rear weight distribution, as do carbon-fiber front fenders and wheelhouses. Engineers also moved the battery from underhood to a position in the rear cargo area, behind one of the rear wheels.
Suspension and brakes – The Z06 retains the 105.7-inch (2,686-mm) wheelbase of other Corvette models, as well as the short-long arm suspension and transverse spring design, but it rides on all-new wheels, tires and brakes, as well as its own rear spring and roll stabilizer.
The firmer suspension works harmoniously with large 18 x 9.5-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels and 275/35ZR18 tires in the front, and 19 x 12-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear. The tires use the latest extended-mobility technology from Goodyear to provide a satisfactory ride, but still allow the vehicle to achieve lateral acceleration of more than 1 g.
Complementing the suspension system and large rolling stock is an equally capable four-wheel disc brake system, consisting of 14-inch (355 mm) vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4-inch (340 mm) vented and cross-drilled rear rotors.
The front rotors are acted upon by large, red-painted six-piston calipers that use six individual brake pads. Individual brake pads are used because they deliver more equalized wear compared to what would otherwise be a pair of very long single-piece pads. The rear brakes use four-piston calipers with four individual brake pads. A four-channel ABS system is standard, as is a very competent active handling system – complete with a Competitive Driving mode.
*SAE certified.
SPECIFICATIONS
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Overview
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Models:
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Chevrolet Corvette Z06
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Body styles / driveline:
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two-door hatchback coupe with fixed roof; rear-wheel drive
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Construction:
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composite and carbon-fiber body panels, hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components
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Manufacturing location:
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Bowling Green, Ky.
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Engine
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7.0L V-8 LS7
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Displacement (cu in / cc):
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427 / 7008
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Bore & stroke (in / mm):
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4.125 x 4 / 104.8 x 101.6
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Block material:
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cast aluminum
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Cylinder head material:
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cast aluminum
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Valvetrain:
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overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
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Fuel delivery:
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SFI (sequential fuel injection)
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Compression ratio:
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11.0:1
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Horsepower
(hp / kW @ rpm):
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505 / 377 @ 6300*
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Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):
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470 / 637 @ 4800*
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Recommended fuel:
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premium required
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EPA estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):
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15 / 24 (manual)
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Transmissions
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six-speed manual;
Z06
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Application:
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Std.
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Gear ratios (:1):
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First:
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2.66
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Second:
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1.78
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Third:
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1.30
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Fourth:
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1.00
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Fifth:
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0.74
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Sixth:
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0.50
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Reverse:
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2.90
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Final drive ratio:
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3.42
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Chassis / Suspension
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Z06
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Front:
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short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber
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Rear:
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short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper and lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber
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Traction control:
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electronic traction control; Active Handling
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Brakes
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Z06
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Type:
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front and rear power-assisted disc with ABS with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, cross-drilled rotors
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Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):
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front: 14 x 1.3 / 355 x 32
rear: 13.4 x 1 / 340 x 26
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Brake swept area (sq in / mm):
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front: 309 / 1994
rear: 269 / 1735
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Wheels & Tires
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Wheel size:
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front: 18-inch x 9.5-inch
rear: 19-inch x 12-inch
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Tires:
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front: P275/35ZR18
rear: P325/30ZR19
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Dimensions
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Z06
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Wheelbase (in / mm):
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105.7 / 2685
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Overall length (in / mm):
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175.6 / 4460
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Overall width (in / mm):
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75.9/1928
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Overall height (in/mm):
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48.7/1236
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Curb weight (lb/kg):
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3175/1440
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Weight distribution (% front/rear):
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50/50
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Interior
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Seating capacity
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2
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Interior volume (cu ft/L:)
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52/1475 (all models)
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headroom (in/mm):
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38/962 (all models)
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Legroom (in/mm):
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43/1092 (all models)
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Shoulder room (in/mm):
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55/1397 (all models)
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Hip room (in/mm):
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54/1371 (all models)
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Capacities
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Cargo volume (cu ft/L):
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22/634
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Fuel tank (gal/L):
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18/68.1
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Engine oil (qt/L):
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10.5/9.9
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