2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vs 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: The Differences | Choosing the Right C8 for YOU!!

Chevrolet C8 Corvette: Stingray versus Z06

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette z06 is a new addition to the family of the Chevrolet C8: the first mid-engine Corvette since the model's introduction in 1953, and the 8th generation of the Corvette sports cars. The C8 Corvette was announced in April 2019, and now, in October 2021, the Z06 has been announced.

It is safe to say that the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is expected to take the Corvette brand into the realm occupied by exotic cars or at least draw the comparison. Maybe that $300,000 McLaren won't look as appealing once the Z06 is out in the wild.

Production will begin in the summer of 2022, and it will go on sale after that as a 2023 model. It looks unlike any of the previously produced Z06 models, and that's not just because the engine is behind you. It is also considerably wider than the base model C8 Corvette Stingray, featuring bigger air intakes and a unique rear wing. The Corvette Z06 promises to embarrass more than a few drivers of insanely expensive supercars when they meet on the racetrack with all its amazing features.

With the newly released Corvette ZO6 out in the markets, the Z06 and the Stingray stand as the two Chevy powerhouses in the industry. However, deciding which one you should purchase or if you should trade-in your current C8, can be a tough decision. In this article, we will be answering the question, "What are the differences between the C8 Stingray and Z06?"

The gaps between the two cars have increased after the new Z06 completely gave up the standard 6.2-liter pushrod V8 and replaced it with a high-revving D0HV 5.5-litre engine that comes with a flat-plane crankshaft, but that is not the only difference.

Major Distinctive Differences

The newly released Z06 is a complete rendition of the base stingray model. Below are the differences that are most evident and prominent between the two cars.

• The Z06 comes installed with an entirely new engine, and one that is handmade! This engine powers up the new car and makes it possible to reach exceptional acceleration levels (0-60 in 2.6s). The horsepower of the vehicle has increased from 490 to 670.
• The Redline of the Corvette in the new model has gone up from 6450 rpm to 8600 rpm.
• In terms of external appearance, the Z06 is simply bigger than the base Stingray. GM & Corvette increased the dimensions of most car components to turn it into a track warrior's favorite weapon. This is well reflected when you look at the overall body width of the car. Along with that, the wheels, brakes, rear wings, and tires have all increased in size.

The Z06 is part of the many future high-performance prospects that Chevrolet plans to introduce next year.  You can, therefore, expect the differences between the Z06 and the Chevrolet C8 Stingray to be vast. 

This is largely because the base stingray represents the classic standard Chevy sports car, while the newly released Z06 is the carmaker’s attempt to introduce a line of performance vehicles that stands on par with modern standards. Let's breakdown each category of differences.

Engine.

Starting with the C8 Stingray Corvette model, the 2020 C8 Stingray was launched as a debut for the company’s first-ever mid-engine lineup. The Stingray is equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.2 liter V8 which can produce 490 horsepower, along with 465 pound-feet of torque.

For an added Z51 performance package of the car, it can provide an engine capacity that can support about 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All of this equates to acceleration from 0 to 60 in only 2.8 seconds. This gives an improvement of 40 horsepower and ten pound-feet over the preceding C7 Corvette Stingray. 

Unlike the C8 Corvette Stingray, the Z06 uses a new naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft. It generates about 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and it revs up to 8,600 rpm compared to Stingray’s 6,500 rpm. Those are some mind-blowing numbers coming out of the z06!

 

Dubbed the LT6, this engine features a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) along with the previously mentioned flat-plane crankshaft, causing it to surpass the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series’ M159 engine to become the most powerful free-breathing V8 engine ever installed in a road car.

 

And, let's not forget the reconfiguration of the exhaust to a center exhaust, which is a nice change from the standard C8's dual tip exhaust at either end of the rear body.

Transmission.

Based on their transmission, the Stingray and the Z06 use the same 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. The Z06 model, however, comes with a shorter 5.56:1 final drive ratio for improved acceleration. This allows the Z06 model to accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, surpassing the C8 Corvette Stingray's 2.8 second 0 to 60.

Suspension.

The C8 Corvette Stingray comes with unequal length double wishbone suspension at the front and rear axles made from aluminum. All four wheels have standard monotube shock absorbers. It can also be equipped with a front-axle lifting height-adjustable suspension system to add two inches of ground clearance at speeds under 25 mph.

However, the electronic limited-slip differential and magnetic ride adaptive suspension system will be standard for all Z06 trims.

Wheels.

Moving on to the wheels, the C8 Corvette Stingray comes with alloy wheels of diameter 19 inches (48 centimeters) at the front and 20 inches (51 centimeters) at the rear. Its exact dimensions are 245/35ZR-19 for the front and 305/30ZR-20 for the rear. The standard tires are Michelin Pilot Sport ALS, with its optional Z51 Performance package including Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

The C8 Corvette Stingray also uses the standard four-piston Brembo brakes, with ventilated discs of diameter 12.6 inches (320 millimeters) at the front and 13.6 inches (345 millimeters) at the rear. The Z51 package, however, offers upgraded and enlarged brakes of diameter 13.3 inches (338 millimeters) at the front and 13.8 inches (351 millimeters) at the rear.

The Z06 Corvette has a wider body of 3.6 inches to accommodate larger wheels and thicker tires of diameter 20 inches (51 centimeters) at the front and 21 inches (53 centimeters) at the rear. Its exact dimensions are 275/30ZR-20 for the front tires and 345/35ZR-21 for the rear tires. The Z06 wheels are available with standard alloy or optional carbon fiber rims- these are aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber standard. At the same time, the Z07 Performance package has carbon-fiber wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ZP performance tires. Carbon Ceramic Brembo brakes will be available.

 

Aerodynamics.

The newly released Chevy Corvette C8 Z06 is still a pre-production model; however, it is very close to what you can expect in 2023 when it hits the market. The upgrades for this car revolve around improving the track performance of the car. The front end of the new C8 Z06 represents a complete redesign.

This is a big deal as the car company rarely switches the front dimensions of the car (The C7 did not see a front fascia change until the ZR1). The changes to the front are primarily intended to improve the cooling of the vehicle. The unique front fascia that allows air to feed to a center heat exchanger that better cools the powertrain, as well as more brake cooling.

Compared to the C8 Corvette Stingray, the Z06 Corvette base model has a front splitter and a rear spoiler, which can have an installable fixed wickerbill, which produces 365 pounds (165 kilograms) more downforce at 186 mph. The total downforce package is said to be at 734 lbs!

The base Z06 spoiler looks very familiar to our ACS C8 Speedtail Spoiler available for the C8 Corvette. 

You can learn more about our C8 Speedtail in our blog here: https://acscomposite.com/blogs/news/a-low-profile-spoiler-for-the-midengine-c8-corvette-acs-c8-speedtail-spoiler

The Z07 carbon-fiber performance package adds a larger front splitter, a pedestal mounted rear wing, front corner canards (dive planes), and underbody aero strakes for additional downforce for track performance. Cars that are not equipped with this carbon-fiber package have a smaller adjustable spoiler. 

 

Widened dimensions also help accommodate the wider tires of the C8, which helps enhance the grip and drive quality of the car. Ultimately, the introduction of wider tires required a wider body to hold them, and this is one of the reasons why this car has a wider rear end. 

The design changes and aero upgrades will give the C8 Z06 even better handling than a C8 Stingray with the Z51 performance package, enabling it to be more planted to the road and presumably the most track-capable Vette yet. The combination of improved airflow, aerodynamics and a rear body that is nearly 4 inches wider lends itself to being one mean track machine.

Trim levels and Options.

The C8 Corvette Stingray has three trim levels available—1LT, 2LT, and 3LT, augmented by three suspension setups—FE1, FE3, and FE4. In addition, three-seat options are also available: GT1, GT2, and Competition Sport.

The interior, being quite similar in both the C8 Corvette Stingray and the Z06 Corvette, is upholstered in microsuede, leather, or performance textile with carbon fiber or aluminum trims. That includes a carbon-fiber steering wheel and carbon paddle shifters, and more carbon fiber trim throughout the dash and console.

The Z06 Corvette will have three trim levels adding various tech upgrades and interior comfort: 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ. Additionally, the Z07 performance package can be applied to any trim that adds improved brakes, carbon fiber aerodynamic elements, suspension tuning, and performance tires.

Infotainment and Connectivity.

No big changes inside the guts of the Z06 compared to the Stingray; however, if it's first time looking into the infotainment and connectivity segment of the car here is what it has to offer:The cockpit swirls towards the driver with a luxurious combination of technology and craftsmanship inspired by fighter jets. They also have similar hexagonal-shaped steering wheels.

The C8 Corvette debuts with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen in a driver-centric cockpit: it comes standard with Chevrolet's Infotainment 3 Plus system with a 12-inch diagonal reconfigurable digital instrument display. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging for your phone, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Two separate Bose stereos are offered: a standard 10-speaker system and an optional 14-speaker setup equipped with navigation options in higher trims. Additional features include a performance data recorder package for 2LT and 3LT trim levels and a camera-based rearview mirror.

The 2020 Corvette was the first time Chevrolet introduced over the air updates to the Corvette lineup. This feature allows Chevrolet to send updates to the vehicle remotely.

The new Z06 also offers the Performance Data Recorder, which allows you to record video of everything from your track exploits to relaxed country-road cruises. And if you do leave your Z06 with the valet, there is a setting that allows you to keep track of any atrocious activities that the valet might try.

Pricing.

The C8 Corvette Stingray and the Z06 Corvette are available in either coupe or convertible configurations. For the C8 Corvette Stingray coupe configuration, 1LT is $60,900, 2LT is $68,200 and 3LT is $73,350. For the C8 Corvette Stingray convertible configuration, 1LT is $68,400, 2LT is $76,195 and 3LT is 80,845.Chevrolet has not officially released the pricing of the new Corvette Z06 model yet. 

By now, you should have a good idea of the differences between the C8 Stingray and Z06 are. The C8 Stingray is our entry into the sportscar world, and being that it is midengine makes it all that much cooler, but when you compare to the specs of the Z06 you quickly realize who the bigger brother is. The Z06 equipped with a Z07 package is the ultimate track weapon, and will likely be able to compete with some of those exotics out there.

All in all, the C8 Corvette is a great platform whether it's for daily driving, garage queening, or abusing it on the track, Chevrolet has gifted us all with an excellent vehicle, and we look forward to those future C8 released *hint hint* E-rays and ZR1s?!

 If you are looking to dress up your C8 Corvette Stingray or Z06, then make sure you check out our collection of aerodynamic components including ground effects, spoilers, wickers, paint chip protection and more: https://acscomposite.com/collections/c8-corvette

 

Differences between the C8 Z06 and Stingray

• Flat-plane crankshaft engine capable of 670 horsepower
• Redline of 8600 RPM
• 3.6 inches wider in the rear
• Center exhaust configuration
• Larger wheels: 20" Front wheels; 21" rear wheels
• New front bumper & grill
• Includes front and rear spoiler

 

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