Corvette News Summary | September 2022
September has been one of the most active months for Corvettes! We struggled to include the best content into this quick format given there was SO MUCH to choose from. Nevertheless, these thirteen headlines will keep you up to date with what happened in September. Without further ado, let us get into it...
2023 Corvette Z06: Amazing Agility
If you have not yet considered upgrading your C8 Stingray to the C8 Z06, then perhaps this recently released video on the Corvette YouTube channel under their Corvette Academy playlist titled, "Amazing Agility" will change your mind.
Several of the Corvette Engineers involved with the 2023 C8 Z06 gave a brief detail of the changes made from the Stingray to Z06, which include the following:
- Increase in suspension tunning
- Early chassis layout to improve handling
- Steering ratios to give an output that corresponds to the driver's input
- Increase in spring rates (now 30% & 40% stiffer in ride frequency in the base z06 and z07, respectively, than the z51)
"The feeling you get from this is a natural extension from your brain to your arms to your hands […] you can kind of just feel the car leading itself into the turn."
Lead Development engineer, Aaron Link, had this to stay about the upgraded handling, "the feeling you get from this is a natural extension from your brain to your arms to your hands […] you can kind of just feel the car leading itself into the turn."
You can watch the video for yourself below:
Source: Corvette YouTube Channel
Chevy Reduces 12 Months Ownership Rule To Six Months For Z06
In our July CNS, we reported that General Motors came out with rules to prevent the occurence of Z06 flipping.
Chevy discouraged owners from flipping their Z06 early by abolishing warranty transfer to new owners and banning such owners from ordering the in-demand vehicles from the automaker for owners who flip in less than 12 months of use.
They incentivized those that would keep their Z06 for a minimum of 12 months with 500,000 My Chevy Reward Points valued at $5,000. Reward Points can be spent on GM Accessories and service visits.
However, as of September it seems they have revised their criteria and are now offering these rewards at six months of ownership instead of the previous twelve.
Source: CorvetteBlogger
Mandatory $300 OnStar Subscription For 2023 Corvette Stingray and Z06 Buyers
Yikes, future Corvette owners won't be too thrilled about this update. GM added a mandatory 3-year subscription to OnStar and its connected services for $500 to all Buicks and GMCS.
Unfortunately, this is now the case for the 2023 Corvettes (both Stingray & Z06). The subscription will cost an extra $300 and gives owners the ability to remote start, receive vehicle diagnostics, and some other features that have not been fully revealed. It gives the car a limited version of the OnStar app, but unfortunately, there is no way to opt out of this subscription.
Source: CorvetteBlogger
2023 Z06 Fuel Economy Rating Revealed
Josh Holder, Corvette Chief Enginner, revealed the fuel economy ratings of the 2023 Z06 with base trim and the Z06 with a Z07 aero package while he was talking with representatives of CorvetteBlogger
He disclosed the ratings submitted by EPA to be 12mpg in the city for both types, 19mpg & 21mpg for both Z07 and base Z06, respectively, on the highway. These give a combined mpg rating of 14/15 for both the base and Z06.
This was of course the reason for the Gas Guzzler assignment tax on both the 2023 base Z06 at $2600, and $3000 for Z06 with the Z07 package.
It is always interesting to look at these numbers, but no one is really buying a Corvette thinking about what type of mileage they will be getting. At the end of they day, our foot is the one determining how much fuel we will burn through. If you're smiling while you're driving, then you're driving the right car.
Source: CorvetteBlogger
What is Included in the C8 Z07 Package?
Lead Development Engineer, Aaron Link, and Vehicle Performance Manager (Corvette & Camaro), Alex MacDonald discuss the C8 Corvette Z07 package in a recent video released on the Corvette Academy segment. The Z07 performance package for the Z06, which consists of aerodynamics, brakes, and tires, was built to make the Z06 go faster, stop better, and turn harder.
The Z07 performance package is standard with aluminum wheels which have been replaced with carbon fiber wheels (a stand-alone option), which are about 41 pounds lighter than the aluminum option and help the Z06 go faster.
It has carbon ceramic brakes. It has high-performance aerodynamics: a long and large front splitter, front dive planes, and an imposing rear wing. All aimed at efficient downforce and work hand-in-hand with the rubber strakes underneath the car, which helps to balance the downforce without a drag penalty
The C8 Corvette Z06 Z07 Performance Package includes:
- Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP Tires
- Optional: Carbon Fiber Wheels (41 lbs weight reduction)
- Carbon Ceramic Brakes
- Larger front splitter
- Dive Planes
- Rear Wing
- Underbody rubber strakes
They revealed the major purpose behind the design and build of the Z07 performance package for the Z06 to be the reduction of lap time.
You can watch the full video below:
Emelia Hartford Shows Off the 2023 Corvette Z06
In a video she recently released on her YouTube channel, Emelia Hartford embarrassed a couple of her friends, who are supercars owners, with the 2023 Corvette Z06 in a great way.
She visited about five of these friends in this video, showing off the 2023 Corvette Z06, how loud its revs can sound, its 8600 rpm, interior design, and driving experience.
There were multiple reactions from all of these friends, but a common response was shock and disbelief.
With its comparison with supercars such as Ferrari and McLaren by different individuals during the course of the video, the Z06 truly is in the league of supercars.
Just the fact we get to hear endless revving is enough to make us watch it several times over...
You can watch the full video below:
C8 Z06s Reach 3400 Status
In early September, MidEngine Corvette co-Founder, John, got an inside look at the GM WorkBench Connect software and saw that some C8 Z06s have reached status 3400. This is positive news given the series of parts constraints Chevrolet has been experiencing the last several months. It dispels any fears that they will not be able to produce the Z06 in a timely fashion.
Several Corvette forum members and customers have reached status 3000, but only recently has the status 3400 been reached. We will continue to monitor if any new customer's reach status 3400 and beyond!
Source: Midengine Corvette Forum
New LPO: C8 Tech Bronze Wheels
Chevy added a third-wheel design for the 2023 model year C8 Corvette Stingray this month. The Tech Bronze is one of the four finishes that the 20-spoke wheels come in, and one of the 20-spoke design choices is the LPO wheels.
The new LPO 5DG Bronze wheels will sell for $3100 and were on display during Corvettes at Carlisle. You can see some photos of them below courtesy of Corvette Bloggers' Keith Cornett:
Changes To C8 70th Anniversary Calipers
As of writing this, Edge Red appears to be back and available.
In a Facebook post on the 15th of September, Rick Conti confirmed that GM had changed the 70th Anniversary package calipers from Edge Red to a new Bright Red finish. This change which is a result of the Edge Red constraints, has been updated on the 2023 C8 Corvette Configurator.
That being said, keep your eye out for some unicorn 70th Edition C8s with the Bright Red calipers there may not be too many out there!
Source: Rick Conti Facebook
Constraints For Corvette September Order Cycle
Chevy sent out a report on the latest constraints for the September Order Cycle, which started on the 22nd of September.
Some of these constraints were listed at zero quantities, and others as available but limited. The FE2 Magnetic Ride ((Non-Z51) and FE4 Magnetic Ride (Z51 Performance Package) were listed as available but limited.
The options listed at zero quantities are as follows:
- Z06 1YH07 and IYH67 Models (Coupe and Convertibles)
- PEF/RIA All Weather Trunk and Floor Liners
- LPO 5ZZ High Wing Spoiler in Carbon Flash
- LPO RCC Red Engine Cover without 70th Anniversary Package
- J6N Edge Red Brake Calipers
Source: CorvetteBlogger
How Much Does it Cost to InsurE a C8 Corvette Z06?
Ever wonder how much it might cost you to insure your 2023 C8 Corvette Z06? Well, the National Corvette Museum offers with its Insurance Agency ways for you to insure your Corvette.
Hopefully, this information will help you with insuring your Corvette! Here is what the NCM suggests for the average premiums a 2023 Corvette C8 Z06 are:
- Base Z06, with an agreed value of $106,395, the annual premium would be $1586.49.
- Fully loaded Z06, with a price tag of $158,730, the annuel premium would be $2152.80
Note these are simply averages and does not mean it will be exactly the same for you. Premiums vary from state to state, between individuals, and the mile tier.
You can ask for a free insurance quote from the NCM by visiting their website. FYI, this is not an ad, and ACS does not gain anything from you using the NCM.
Source: NCM Insurance
Harlan Charles Gives Corvette Update
Corvette Product Manager, Harlan Charles recently gave some updates on the 2023 C8 Corvette Z06 at the 2022 National Corvette Museum Anniversary.
This event was more of a Q&A seminar where he provided updates about the Z06 production quantity, option constraints, build price, the reward for 2023 Z06 owners who keep their vehicles for more than six months, and lots more. You can check out the video below:
ACS Spotlight: C7 Stingray S2 Spoiler Wickers
It was a long time coming, but we developed and released our Stage 2 Wickers for the C7 Corvette Stingray. Specifically designed for those of you with the Z51 Spoiler, you can now install the signature C7 Z06 Stage 2 Wickers onto your Stingray!
This was always achievable, but the results were never perfect. There are a lot of two-way tape versions out there, and you know ACS, we strongly discourage using parts that only rely on double sided tape. Yes, you avoid drilling, but you are opening yourself up to a lot of liabilities such as parts flying off the car, damaging your spoiler, and potentially risking injuries to others on the road.
We seen other versions that forcibly take the OEM Stage 2 Wickers and squeeze them into place. The issue is that it is painfully obvious that they were not made for your car, and over time all that flexing will lead to parts cracking.
Alternatively, you could swap out your C7 Z51 spoiler, and install an OEM Z06 base, and then you would be able to put on the remaining OEM parts. This results in a spoiler that overhangs your rear fascia on the sides by about 1.5". Some don't mind this look, but others can find it, again, looking like it does not belong on the car. However, the biggest issue was pricing. This type of conversion would be about $1200-$1500.
Instead, we developed our Stage 2 Wickers at $399. Painted Carbon Flash Black, and most importantly fit onto your Z51 Spoiler. These wickers are perfectly in line with the rear body of the C7 Corvette Stingray, and provide with you an integrated look that carries the signature C7 Corvette spoiler style.
Click on the link for the C7 Stingray Stage 2 Wickers product page.