Living with a Chevrolet Corvette Z06
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| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 |
Now, let's introduce you to the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Equipped with a 670-hp flat-plane-crank 5.5-liter V-8, it's like a Corvette that's transformed into a Super Saiyan. Oh, did we mention it's the fifth-fastest car we've ever tested on Lightning Lap? Unfortunately, we couldn't subject it to our usual 40,000-mile long-term test format (as we did with a regular C8 and a 2021 Stingray Z51). However, we did manage to secure an extended loan, and over the next month or so, we'll be providing frequent updates on what life is like with a Z06—whether it's dropping the kids off at school, making grocery store runs, or even contemplating track days.
Miles 4300–5304: City Living
Our first road trip with the Z06 took us from Detroit to Chicago for the Riot Fest music festival. And what better companion for a riot than the Z06 itself? Thankfully, you won't need earplugs for this one, although engaging Track mode does turn up the volume a notch.
The drive to Chicago was manageable. Thanks to the magnetorheological dampers and decent tire sidewalls, the ride wasn't unbearable, but you still felt every jolt—particularly from one menacing pothole that made us wonder if we'd turned one of the front wheels into a square. Noise was a constant companion; the targa-style top did a commendable job of sealing out wind noise, but those aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires contributed to a symphony of road noise, and they didn't shy away from tracing every groove or bump in the pavement.
Stop-and-go traffic isn't the Z06's natural habitat. When left to its own devices, the transmission can be hesitant to shift out of first gear. Switching to Manual mode offers a bit more control when crawling between zero and 25 mph.
Speaking of control, the towering, rectangular buildings of Chicago provide the ideal acoustic backdrop for the Z06. The flat-plane-crank V-8 lets out an exhilarating scream above 3000 rpm, a sound that might feel unexpected in a Corvette but fits right in with the supercar persona.
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| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 |
Ever get the sensation that someone is watching you from somewhere? That's pretty much every moment in the Z06. With its long, low profile, bold front aero, and a wing the size of a dining-room table, it draws attention and comments wherever it goes. Unsurprisingly, the guys are particularly enthusiastic. Here's a nod to Chevrolet's prowess: one person even asked if the car cost $250,000.
Perhaps the most significant challenge is fitting it anywhere. The Z06's wide body and imposing front canards appear sharp enough to slice through an ankle and delicate enough to crumble at the sight of a curb. Forget about front parking sensors; we only have front cameras activated with a button on the center console. Parking becomes a slow and careful process, but it can be done without too much frustration. Parallel parking isn't as daunting, thanks to the rear sensors.
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| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 |
Visibility is another point of contention. There's virtually none in the blind-spot region, necessitating heavy reliance on the blind-spot monitoring system and the occasional head poking out the window. Not that there's any risk of accidentally changing lanes into someone; between the noise and the visual spectacle, people give the Z06 a wide berth wherever it goes. Perhaps the less-than-stellar Corvette drivers of yesteryear have unwittingly paved the way for those of us simply trying to manoeuvre around double-parked buses and randomly placed construction barricades. Would the Z06 have been our first choice for a city trip? Definitely not. But now that we're here, we wouldn't pick any other car—except maybe that McLaren Senna we spotted on Michigan Avenue.
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