The Chevrolet C8 Corvette has been an overwhelming success, and the Corvette Z06 has been just as popular. Demand for this high-performance version has been so overwhelming that it has forced Chevrolet to close its order books for the 2023 model year.
With unexpected supply chain shortages plaguing GM’s Bowling Green, Kentucky plant, supply of the Corvette Z06 remains constrained, but those lucky enough to get their hands on one of these red hot sports cars seem to be ticking all the options boxes, and Chevrolet is struggling to keep up, but won’t be complaining anytime soon.
In a recent presentation at the National Corvette Museum’s 28th Anniversary Celebration, Kai Spande, the Director of the GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant, told reporters that the majority of buyers are opting for all the available options, and with supply already constrained, this is only placing more pressure on GM’s operations.
Chevrolet offers the Corvette Z06 with an impressive set of packages, ranging from appearance upgrades to performance packages, and it even lets customers build their own engines.
For most new buyers, the most attractive package on the list will be the Z07 Performance Package. This package takes the hardcore Corvette Z06 and turns it into a race car for the road. The package includes an all-important tire upgrade to Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires, and the brake rotors are swapped for carbon ceramics with a size of 15.7 inches in the front and 15.4 inches in the rear. The suspension is upgraded to the FE7 package with Z07-calibrated Magnetic Ride Control.
This package also transforms the exterior: a full carbon fiber aerodynamic body kit is added, which includes underbody paneling, a massive rear wing, a front lip, and front-corner dive planes, resulting in a massive 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph. To top it all off, Chevrolet also offers a set of carbon wheels that drops the unsprung weight by 41 pounds.
The 2023 Z06 is available in three trims: the 1LZ starts at $105,300 and features a Bose premium sound system, a color head-up display, and eight-way power GT1 front seats, among its highlights. The 2LZ starts at $114,500 and adds an even better Bose sound system, heated and ventilated seats, navigation, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind zone alert. The 3LZ features a carbon steering wheel, a custom leather interior, and GT2 seats, all for $119,150.
Under the hood, you get a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 LT6 engine producing 670 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
GM is currently struggling to fill orders for a number of its cars, including the Corvette Z06, and with order books closed for 2023, the company will be looking to churn out as many cars as possible before the end of the year.
As part of its mission to keep the market stable, GM has implemented a new policy that makes new owners hold on to their new Z06 vehicles for at least six months before they can sell them. Doing so before then could even void the warranty. When given the option to make a hardcore sports car even better, most will always tick the option box, which should come as no surprise to GM, yet here we are.