The first factory built right hand drive Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to hit Australia is doing the promotional rounds, ahead of the start of customer deliveries.
The Z06 will be the flagship of the wider 2024 GMSV Corvette range, which will be updated throughout the year with more personalization options than the first batch offered.
Unlike the Silverado pickup, GM makes the Corvette in right-hand drive at its Bowling Green plant in the United States.
The ‘Vette Z06 is a more focused version of the company’s mid-engined hero, sitting above the Stingray. It comes with a naturally aspirated, twin-overhead 5.5-litre V8 with a flat-plane crank and a sky-high 8600rpm redline, unlike the Stingray’s 6.2-litre LT2 V8.
The bespoke naturally aspirated flat-eight produces a massive 500kW and 624Nm, mated to an eight-speed DCT. This version of the engine has been used in the Corvette C8.R racing car since 2019.
Aussie versions of the Corvette Z06 will all be equipped in flagship 3LZ equipment guise, GM Specialty Vehicles Australia says. With the optional Z07 package – also standard in Australia – fitted, the Z06 is capable of a 0-60mp/h (0-96km/h) acceleration time of just 2.6 seconds.
The standard Z07 Performance Package means carbon ceramic rotors, carbon fiber aerodynamic elements, unique suspension tuning, ultra-performance tires and optional carbon fiber wheels (made in Australia by Carbon Revolution).
“This new Z06 shows what customers in Australia and New Zealand can expect from the MY24 Z06, as we will offer the 3LZ trim as standard,” said GM Specialty Vehicles director Greg Rowe.
This brings a carbon fiber steering wheel and shift paddles, microfiber for the upper interior trim, leather-wrapped interior door panels, and GT2 bucket seats with Nappa leather upholstery and carbon fiber trim.
The Australian Z06 pictured in white loses the mid-mounted quad exhaust system featured on the US model.
“The Z06 will be on the roads in and around Melbourne over the next few weeks and Corvette fans and performance car enthusiasts alike are welcome to stop and snap a photo when they see this stunning new model,” added Mr Rowe.
As far as the specific arrival time of the Z06, GMSV did not offer a date, other than to say “arrival time has not yet been confirmed and supply will be very limited. We will be able to share more details at a later date”. This generally means it’s a fair way, probably the end of 2023.
In terms of price, we have the USA as a guide. There, the Corvette Z06 coupe in 3LT spec costs 55 percent more than the Corvette Stingray 3LT.
Last year’s Corvette Stingray 3LT cost $180,000 in Australia, suggesting you won’t get much change from $300k for the Z06 given that the 2024 model will be more expensive.
Behind the Corvette Stingray and Z06, there’s the recently released Corvette E-Ray Hybrid V8 that’s been confirmed for Australian sales, though probably not until 2024.
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