2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Preview: 2014 North American International Auto Show

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the most potent version of the Bowtie brand’s all-new sports car.  Unlike past Z06 models, however, this one steps up to a supercharged power plant that is mighty enough to obliterate even the C6 ZR1 model.  It also offers significant upgrades in downforce and chassis design, and legitimately threatens the established supercar hierarchy at a price that we assume will be far more affordable than even the least expensive Ferrari.  In short, the Corvette Z06 has come into its own as America’s most track-ready sports coupe, pushing it to the same level as the SRT Viper without many of the compromises associated with that particular vehicle.

What’s New for the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06:

• Supercharged 6.2-liter V-8
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Removable roof panel
• More aggressive styling

New 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Styling and Design

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is wider than the Stingray, and it’s not just all track and tire expansion: Chevy has actually moved the car’s tail lights further apart to accentuate the race car body work of the new model.  The Z06 comes with the requisite vents, wings, inlets, and spoilers that let even the most casual car fan know that it’s not merely a standard Corvette, and muscular fender flares and a mesh grille round out its unique duds.  Different sport seats are found inside the car, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, and despite the fact that 2015 brings us the first Z06 model with a removable roof panel, even with your hair blowing in the breeze the Corvette boasts a chassis that is 20 percent stiffer than the departed ZR1.

New 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: What’s Under the Hood

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is a veritable monster, featuring an Eaton-supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 good for ‘over’ 625 horsepower and 635 lb-ft of torque.  Chevrolet is being cagey in reporting the car’s numbers, as final tuning has yet to be performed.  The company has been more up front about the new transmission option that will be offered alongside the Z06’s seven-speed manual gearbox.  This paddle-shifted eight-speed automatic was developed in-house at General Motors, and although it uses a traditional torque converter design Chevrolet is claiming that the Z06 unit can shift quicker than the dual-clutch tranny found in the Corvette’s perennial rival, the Porsche 911.  Oh, and it’s lighter than the Stingray’s six-speed automatic, too.

New 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Features and Technology

As with past Z06 editions, this Corvette rides on an all-aluminum chassis for maximum lightness, and the car also comes through with magnetic adaptive suspension, enormous 14.6-inch rotors up front, six piston and four-piston calipers (front and rear), as well as the option of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and carbon ceramic brakes.  The vehicles’ seven-speed manual transmission features automatic rev-matching capability, and launch control, a five-stage electronic stability control system, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential are included with the car.

New 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: What Autobytel Thinks

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06’s on-paper credentials give it scary potential in a track environment.  In fact, Chevrolet’s own Mark Reuss introduced the car as ‘Big Nasty’ in Detroit, indicating that the new Z06 might be closer to the Viper than the departed Z06 ever was – not just in terms of power, but also temperament.  With as much power as the ZR1, a coupe that was notoriously twitchy to drive at the limit, it will be interesting to see if the Corvette Z06 will maintain the compliant, yet competent personality that has made it such an effective road course weapon.