Chevrolet Corvette Z06 пропонує емоції Ferrari за половину ціни, але викликає протиріччя у покупців: огляд

When a mainstream American carmaker sets out to challenge Europe’s finest supercars, people take notice. Back in 2019, Chevrolet decided that its C8.R race car wouldn’t recycle the same LT5.5 engine from the C7.R. Instead, it would debut a freshly engineered 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8, a choice that instantly gave it what it needed to take on the world’s best.

Soon afterwards, it was confirmed this exotic engine would make its way into a road-going model. That car turned out to be the Corvette Z06.

The C8 Z06 represents quite a dramatic departure from the C7. The latter had a supercharged version of GM’s familiar 6.2-liter V8, and while it offered plenty of power, it still very much had that American feel. This was ideal for a classic front-engine sports car like the C7, but wouldn’t have been as well-suited to the mid-engined layout of the C8, especially given the fact that it was designed to take on rivals from established high-end European brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren.

It’s been a few years since the C8 Z06 launched in the US. Enthusiasts were thrilled, with plenty of reviews heaping praise on it. It’s so far escaped our grasp in its homeland, but shortly after it touched down in Australia, we had the opportunity to test it locally. During my week with it, I covered almost 1,200 km (745 miles) on a mixture of suburban roads, highways, and stunning mountain and coastal roads to see if it really is the pick of the C8 range.

QUICK FACTS

Photos Brad Anderson / Carscoops

Australia’s Z06

In the US, the Corvette Z06 starts at $112,100 (AU$174,000), and highly specified models are now selling for well under their MSRPs on the used market. Aussies aren’t so lucky. In fact, the car’s starting price has almost doubled in right-hand drive guise, jumping to AU$336,000 ($216,000) before on-road costs. Still, that’s significantly less than what you’d pay for a mid-engine Italian exotic, such as the AU$604,000 (US$393,000) Ferrari 296 GTB or the AU$454,127 (US$296,000) Lamborghini Huracan (RWD), both before on-road costs.

Our tester was even pricier. That’s because it was equipped with the AU$50,000 ($32,000) Z07 Performance Package, which adds carbon ceramic brakes, the Z07-spec suspension with Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the carbon fiber front splitter and canards, and the visible carbon fiber rear wing.

It also had AU$3,640 (US$2,400) 20- and 21-inch forged aluminum wheels, AU$2,405 ($US1,600) Torch Red paint, red brake calipers, and a red and black interior, bringing the sticker price up to AU$397,700 (US$256,000). Ordinarily, Z07 models have Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, but due to the winter conditions in the Southern Hemisphere, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires were fitted instead.

Looking at these photos, you may notice the Vette looks different than the ones available in the US. Whereas the Z06 is sold in its home market with four centrally-mounted tailpipes, Australia-spec cars have the European-spec exhaust, which looks identical to what you’ll find on the Stingray.

In addition to not looking as cool as the central pipes, this Euro exhaust adds petrol particulate filters, robbing the car of 25 kW (33 hp). That means Aussie models don’t deliver 500 kW (670 hp) like the US-spec ones, but rather 475 kW (637 hp). As such, the e-Ray has a slight power advantage over the Z06. Even so, there’s no denying 637 hp is a serious figure for a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8.

What’s It Like To Drive?

I jumped into the Z06 with memories of the Corvette e-Ray fresh in my mind. I ended a week behind the wheel of it in April, and to this day, I still fall asleep imagining the roaring 6.2-liter V8 and reliving the e-Ray’s ferocious acceleration. To say I had high expectations for the Z06 would be an understatement.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Visually, the Z07 pack makes the Z06 stand out from the e-Ray and Stingray, even if it’s not as crazy as the ones on the ZR1 and ZR1X. Additionally, the feeling of the engine is very, very different.

When fired up, it doesn’t produce the same burbling rumble that’s characteristic of a typical American V8. Instead, it has a flatter and smoother idle that’s, nevertheless, every bit as addictive. While pulling away, and when the engine is cold, it can feel a little rough, but it doesn’t take long before the 5.5-liter comes into its own.

The flat-plane crank has allowed GM’s engineers to increase the redline to an epic 8,600 rpm, giving the eight-cylinder a character previously unheard of for anything wearing a Chevy badge. Pin the throttle and the revs build and build and build. By the time you get to the upper echelons of the rev range in anything other than 1st or 2nd gear, you’re accelerating at a frightening pace.

Chevy claims that the Z06 hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, the same time it quotes for the e-Ray. While I was able to record several GPS-verified 2.8-second launches in the e-Ray, the Z06’s rear-wheel drive layout means it’s much more difficult to achieve those times.

The best I could muster up was a rather disappointing 3.5 seconds, mainly because the road and tires were cold, causing some wheel slip off the line. I also tried tweaking the launch revs and percentage of wheel slip, but to no avail. Clearly, not even 345 mm-section Pilot Sport 4S tires at the rear are enough to put all that power smoothly to the ground. In all likelihood, the Cup 2 R tires would help in warm conditions, but would probably be even worse in the cold.

Read: I Drove The 2025 Corvette E-Ray And It’s A True Supercar In Everything But Price

Given the traction limitations, the Z06 doesn’t feel quite as ferocious as the e-Ray. Make no mistake, though; this thing is very fast. It pulls relentlessly through the gears, creating an addictive howl that fills the cabin. As in the Stingray and e-Ray, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is superb, providing incredibly quick changes while also having surprisingly good around-town manners.

Photos Brad Anderson / Carscoops

There’s no doubt the Euro-spec exhaust of Australian-delivered cars does rob something from the auditory experience, and it’s no surprise that some local owners have started retrofitting the American-market part. Towards the top of the rev range, it’s still loud, but lacks the high-pitched howl of European rivals, or Z06s in America. But with heaps of aftermarket options available, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker anyway.

Like most cars offering this kind of performance, it’s impossible to explore the Z06’s full potential on the road. The tires provide immense levels of grip, and this thing chews up pavement as tenaciously as a pit-bull terrier chases a tennis ball.

There probably won’t be many Z06 owners who use their cars as daily drivers, but the car is definitely up for the task. Thanks to the Magnetic dampers, it does a great job of soaking up bumps when left in its softest setting. Still, it is noticeably firmer than both the Stingray and e-Ray. The brakes are also brilliant as the carbon ceramic units work just as well at low speeds as they do at high speeds.

What Else Makes It Special?

As with all other C8 Vettes, there are a slew of driving modes to choose from, including Z mode, which allows you to tweak settings like the steering, suspension, powertrain, brakes, and exhaust. To enjoy the full Z06 experience, using Z Mode is a must-do. However, you’ll need arms as big as Dwayne Johnson’s to have any hope of turning in the steering system’s heaviest mode.

While the C8 has become quite a common sight in the US, it’s still a very rare thing in Australia and the Z06 turns heads at just about every intersection, particularly when specified like our car was. Kids stop on the side of the road to take videos and plead with you to rev the V8, something I would always do for them. It is every bit as much of a showstopper as a Lamborghini Huracan or a Ferrari F8, and makes you feel like a rockstar every moment you’re behind the wheel.

With the exception of the somewhat muted soundtrack of Australian models, it’s hard to fault the driving behavior of the Z06 on the road. A vehicle like this really needs to be driven on the track to explore its potential. However, I will say that because of the rear-wheel drive setup, it does not cover ground as quickly or as effortlessly as the e-Ray.

Photos Brad Anderson / Carscoops

A Familiar Cabin

The interior is virtually identical to all other C8 models. Importantly, the car we tested was a 2025 model, meaning it retained the controversial ‘wall of buttons,’ unlike the newly-launched 2026 Corvette that has switched to a more conventional layout. The refreshed model has yet to land on Australian shores, but when it does, GM will launch it with a special limited-edition Stingray R. It’ll include all the 2026 interior updates as well as a carbon fiber roof, a unique appearance package, forged wheels, and carbon fiber wing mirrors.

Review: The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Is Still America’s Best Sports Car

Does the cabin of the 2025 Z06 feel fitting for a car this expensive? For the most part, yes. I love the cockpit-style cabin and how the tunnel and infotainment display are tilted towards the driver. Headroom could be an issue for anyone over 6’2″, but that’s not uncommon in mid-engined supercars.

The only real indication of this being a Z06 is the unique badges on the steering wheel and on the speaker grille sitting between the two headrests. There’s very little in-cabin storage, but this is more than made up for by the fact that the Z06 retains the same spacious front and rear cargo areas as the Stingray and e-Ray, making it perfect for a weekend getaway. I’d have liked to see more soft-touch Alcantara throughout and fewer cheap plastic buttons, but for the most part, the cabin feels up to spec.

Verdict

The Corvette Z06 is a seriously impressive car, and we’re lucky to be living in an age where General Motors is building a mid-engined supercar to rival the best Europe has to offer.

Some don’t like the looks, but obviously this is subjective. Personally, I love them, and the Z06 turns just as many heads as a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, all while delivering comparable on-road performance and costing far less. It’s a shame that Aussie cars don’t get the American exhaust, as we’re sure it makes the ‘Vette even more riveting to drive.

Is the Z06 worth the premium over the Stingray and the e-Ray? I’m not so sure, as those cars offer equal driving thrills and are cheaper. My dream C8 would probably be a Stingray, but complete with the same widebody as the e-Ray and Z06, as well as all of the Z06’s aero appendages. Memo to GM: if anyone is reading this, please persuade the powers-that-be to build a C8 Grand Sport.

Photos Brad Anderson / Carscoops