First new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 sells for $5.1 million

The very first Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 off the production line has been sold for an incredible $US3.6 million ($A5.1m) at a Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, with all proceeds going to charity.

Setting a new record for the most expensive vehicle donated by a manufacturer to the famous US auction house, the buyer of the special 70th Anniversary Edition version of the American supercar was Rick Hendrick, the same car dealer and NASCAR team owner that paid $US3 million ($A4.3m) back in 2020 for the first C8 Corvette.

Confirmed for Australian release via GMSV by late 2022, the fire-breathing new Z06 is expected to demand a big premium over the hefty $189,990 (plus on-roads) price tag of the current 3LT-based Carbon Edition coupe flagship.

Luckily, the new performance leader of the first global Corvette range will go a long way in justifying what could be a list price of about $250,000, which is nonetheless only slightly more than the cheapest Porsche 911 these days.

Powered by an all-new 5.5-litre LT6 V8 that features a flat-plane crankshaft, the new Z06 revs to no less than 8600rpm and produces 500kW.

That figure, GM claims, makes it the world’s most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 ever fitted to a production car, and gives the mid-engined C8 flagship an exhaust note unlike any previous Corvette.

No acceleration figures have been provided for the Z06, but its high-revving 32-valve DOHC V8 – a version of which has powered the C8.R race car since 2019 – ups that power output to 500kW (670hp SAE) at 8400rpm, although peak torque is down slightly to 623Nm (460lb-ft SAE) at 6300rpm.

With a shorter 5.56 final drive ratio for the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and the option of a Z07 carbon-fibre package and lightweight wheels (reducing the kerb weight to just 1561kg – about 100kg less than the standard Corvette 3LT), the Z06 could hit 100km/h in as little as 2.5sec.

Based around GM’s Small Block engine architecture, the LT6 V8 incorporates a new aluminium cylinder block and ‘Edge Red’ DOHC cylinder-heads with finger a follower valvetrain including dual-coil valve springs, titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves, plus CNC-machined combustion chambers and intake ports.

Other highlights include forged aluminium pistons, titanium conrods, an active split intake manifold with twin 87mm throttle bodies, six-stage dry-sump oiling system with individual crank bay scavenging and four-into-two-into-one stainless steel exhaust headers.

Likely to be eclipsed by a 500kW-plus turbo V8 for the new Corvette ZR1 flagship, the LT6 is hand-assembled at GM's Performance Build Center in Kentucky. Each engine has a plaque on the intake manifold featuring the signature of the technician who built it.

Available in both coupe and hard-top convertible forms, the new Corvette Z06 also brings significant chassis upgrades, including larger 370mm front and 380mm rear Brembo brake rotors with six-piston front callipers – up from four-piston units on the base Stingray.

Featuring unique front and rear fascias for the first time, the Z06 is also a big 94mm wider than the Stingray at the rear, accommodating massive 345-series rear tyres and more airflow through side air-vents.

GM says a unique rear spoiler with adjustable ‘wickerbill’ elements increases downforce to 165.6kg at 300km/h, improving high-speed stability and cornering capability, while 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminium ‘spider’ wheels – the largest ever fitted to a production Corvette – are also standard and available with five finishes.

The latest in a series of Z06 models stretching back 58 years rides on a specific suspension tune including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive damping, and is also available with lighter and more rigid carbon-fibre wheels that bring an 18.6kg reduction in unsprung mass.

Meantime, the optional Z07 performance package includes a higher-downforce carbon-fibre rear wing and ground effects, specific ‘FE7’ chassis calibration, unique Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tyres and larger 398mm front 391mm rear Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors.

Apart from 12 available exterior paint colours, other options include the choice of seven wheel designs, six brake calliper colours, seven interior colour schemes, three seat designs, six seatbelts and two interior carbon-fibre trim packages, plus Stealth Aluminium and Adrenaline Red trim options.

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