2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe comes in 3 trims, the 1LZ, 2LZ, and the 3LZ. All of these trims can be equipped with a Z07 performance package that offers unique suspension tuning, Brembo Carbon Ceramic Brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 ZP Summer only tires.

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The 2LZ trim packs in some good convenience features that will help you ease your way home from the nearest racetrack. It adds to the practicality aspect of the track-bred sports car, with features like LTE Wi-Fi enabled Infotainment, Ventilated Seats, and a Premium Audio System. Hence, that's the trim to go for.

The Corvette, throughout its history, was famed for its Engine and Power. With the current generation of the Corvette, the Engineers of Chevrolet at Detroit have refined the 6.2L V8 Supercharged Motor to even higher levels to create a Breathtaking driving Experience.

The Motor still has the Dry Sump Lubrication and Pushrods (which allows the Supercharger to be placed in the valley of the cylinder heads with 4 cylinders on each side of the valley) however, the engine itself has plenty of modern technology like the aluminum block of the engine and cylinder heads with forged connecting rods and pistons which have been re-engineered to give the LT4 engine a compression ratio of 10:1. The engine also comes with Titanium Intake Valves and Continuous Variable Valve Timing for controlling the valves of the Camshafts in the engine as per the demand from the User. The intercooled supercharger now spools at 20,000RPM which earlier used to rotate at 15,000RPM. The power output of this LT4 motor is rated at a Class Leading 650HP@6,400RPM and 650lbs-ft of Torque @ 3,600rpm.

Transmission duties are handled by a familiar 7 Speed Manual Transmission with Rev Matching Feature and an All-New 8 Speed Torque Converter Automatic Transmission making its debut for the 1st time in the Z06. Both the hydraulically assisted clutch and the flywheel is lightweight and are specific to the Z06 trim and channel the power to the rear wheels. Transmission is quick and slick in both iterations however, we feel that the Automatic does a better job in shifting gears with the Manual being the one that is more engaging to drive. This Automatic also has created new segment benchmarks by being the Fastest Automatic Shifting Gearbox even beating the famed Dual Clutch PDK (Porsche Doppel Kuplunge) gearbox from Porsche.

No other competitor comes close to the power figures that the Z06 delivers. A massive 6.2L V8 is among the biggest engines on the market. Mercedes AMG GT also deploys a V8 but fails to deliver the impressive power that the Z06 does.

Acceleration

The Acceleration from the “Mighty” 6.2L Supercharged V8 is just “Menacing”. Every time you decide to put the gas pedal to the floor in the 1st Gear, you will always be shoved back deep into the bucket seats of the Corvette with “unfathomable” force.

You will stay in this position unless you reach the 4th Gear or decide to pull your foot off the Gas Pedal after realizing that this was not the most “Smartest” thing to do.

The Z06 is incomparable in the line-up and annihilates the competition with the margin of an entire second. The Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe fails to catch up and takes an extra second to dash from 0-60, however, beats the other competitors. 

Ride & Handling

The Handling is mostly stiff in City riding conditions in the 2018 Corvette Z06 as it is a Track Focused machine. The Electrically Assisted Steering is well-weighted and pretty precise in changing directions. The Available Magnetic Ride Control however smoothens the ride to a great extent by adjusting the damping system in real-time in just 15 milliseconds. The Electronically Controlled Limited-Slip Differential adds to the cornering ability of the car and helps the car remain planted at High Speeds.

The Standard Front Splitter on the Front wheel openings, Large Vent on the Carbon Fiber Hood, and Standard spoiler adds to the downforce hence improving the Handling of the Car. The Carbon Fiber Aero Package and the Z07 Performance package adds an adjustable wickerbill on the Large Rear Carbon Fiber Spoiler and Large Aviation style Front Carbon Fiber Splitters adds to the aerodynamics and improving the overall handling and high-speed stability. 

The standard Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP Summer only tires do provide a good grip on the track and don’t offer much tire skid while cornering. The Z07 performance package however adds the track-proven Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that provide phenomenal grip while cornering Hard or doing high-speed runs.

Braking 

Chevrolet has not skipped a thing while tuning and setting the braking of the 2018 Corvette Z06. The Standard Steel Brakes from Brembo do the job well when stopping the car from high speeds. The Carbon Ceramic Brakes available in the Z07 performance package doubles the braking performance and inspires confidence in the drivers, allowing them to take the corners even harder and drastically reducing the overall stopping distances.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT shows its capabilities and stopping prowess by traveling the lowest distance while coming to a standstill from the speed of 60 mph.

While most Corvette owners won’t buy the Corvette for its Fuel Economy/MPG Figures, Chevrolet has added some clever Fuel Saving Tech inside the Vehicle that helps the Corvette get respectable MPG figures.

GM has reduced the weight of the 7th Gen Corvette significantly from its previous iterations by using Aluminum and Carbon Fiber in the design of the Car. This translates to better fuel economy and performance.

You also get Active Fuel Management inside the Corvette Z06 that disengages 4 out of the 8 cylinders when the driver is light on the gas pedal or drives in the eco-mode. This bumps up the MPG figures significantly and also reduces the Carbon footprint and the emissions figure.

The massive engine takes a toll on the efficiency of the Z06. The Carrera 911 is the most frugal vehicle on the competitor’s list. Jaguar F-Type takes the runners-up place on the podium in terms of fuel efficiency.

Talking about the seating, the Corvette can seat 2 Adults without them feeling cramped inside the cabin. The seats themselves offer decent levels of comfort and have various levels of adjustability options that allow most drivers to find a comfortable seating position. The seats are Heated and Ventilated and offer good cushioning as compared to the rivals.

Cargo Volume

For a Sports Car, the Cargo has plenty of Cargo Space and beats its competitors Hands-Down. The Area under the Glass lift gate can house few duffel bags or even a large roll-aboard suitcase. This is a Feat that no other rival in its class can boast about and makes the Corvette feel like a Big Hatchback in terms of Storage space. The cabin itself has plenty of Storage Spaces and cubby holes can be found in almost all sections of the Cabin.

The size of the Corvette gives it an edge in the available cargo storage. Z06 offers the highest storage capacity. While the rear-engined 911 offers the lowest cargo storage.

Infotainment System

Chevrolet has decked the Corvette Z06 with the best in terms of Connectivity it has to offer. It is definitely more feature-packed in terms of its competition and is pretty comprehensive. The Cabin itself is oriented towards the driver while controls are easily reachable for the Driver to fiddle around.

• 360 Degree Camera System and Parking Camera’s in the Front and Rear
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• 8” MyLink Touchscreen Infotainment System
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless Charging Pad for Compatible Phones
• 4G LTE WiFi and Hotspot
• Voice Recognition and Control
• USB Port behind the retractable infotainment screen
• 2 USB Ports and 12V Charging socket in the Center Console

The Corvette is in the 6th Year of its generation and despite this, the design doesn’t look dated in any way. Chevrolet has kept adding to the design and has ensured that the coupe looks up to date. There is so much to look at in the exterior of the Corvette that your eyes may need exercise to go through the different elements of the car. Starting from the exquisitely sculpted long carbon fiber hood that makes space for the supercharger, swept windshield and muscular haunches make the car look bold and aggressive. The carbon fiber spoiler adds to the overall appeal of the coupe while the HID projector headlamps on the front adds to the flair of the Corvette.

The dimensions of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe will immediately remind you that the Corvette is an American Muscle Car. The long bonnet with the supercharger vent, the flared wheels arches, character lines running all across the car allows the Corvette to maintain the charm of previous generation corvettes. The dimensions of the Corvette are huge, no denying the fact, but it isn’t difficult to live in the city.

Modern engineering in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has allowed GM engineers to shove off a lot of weight from the Corvette hence making it a very light vehicle. There is generous use of aluminum and carbon fiber in the engine, body, and in chassis of the Corvette Z06. The fiberglass usage also contributes to the lightweight nature of the Car.

The AMG GT is the longest coupe in the entire competitor list, with the Z06 following. There isn’t much difference between the length of the 911 and the Z06. While the Z06 stands to be wider than the entire list. 

Exterior Features

• Bi Xenon Headlamps with LED DRL signature
• Carbon Fiber Front Splitter and Bigger Aviation Style Fenders
• Spats around front wheel openings
• Carbon Fiber Hood
• 19” Front/20” Rear Michelin Pilot Super Sports Tires
• Performance Quad Exhausts
• Heated Body Colored ORVM with Auto Dimming
• Solar Ray Light Tinted Glass
• Carbon Fiber Rear Spoiler on Z07 package
• LED Brake lights

Chevrolet has put a lot of safety equipment in the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, but we feel that while this is adequate, this is certainly not the best in class. The consumers don’t need to be worried about the Safety inside the Corvette as the Z06 can handle most of the Emergency or panic Situations easily. Some standard safety tech and features include

• Front and Side Driver and Passenger Airbags
• Anti-Lock Braking System with Traction Control
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Performance Traction Management System
• Active Handling System
• OnStar Communication system that calls emergency services in event of a Collision.
• Super Sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sports Tires
• Rear parking Sensors
• Front and Rear Parking Camera
• Electric Power Steering for Quick Steering Responses

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe vs. Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport Coupe

The Jaguar F-Type Coupe is one of the finest products to come out of the other side of the Atlantic. Both the Corvette and the F-Type have superb exhaust notes, but the Jag has a slight edge due to the constant pops and snarls from the exhaust of the F-Type.

The Jaguar looks if not better but equally good as the Corvette, it has a slightly better fit and finishing and this is the same story in the interiors as well. The Corvette, however, simply outruns the Jag in terms of track performance and extracting the best out of the car on track with its superb grip levels, amazing engine, and astounding handling around corners.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe vs. Mercedes AMG-GT Coupe

Mercedes have always been known for creating some of the most amazing Sports Cars in the world. The AMG GT is no different and is a segment benchmark in terms of design in the exterior and interior, build quality, comfort, and technology on offer.

But all these come at a price and that to a steep one. The Corvette on the other hand offers “Truck Loads” of power, exhilarating performance, and driving pleasure on the Track and is difficult to beat in terms of the thrill and experience that it offers.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe vs. Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

The Corvette was always a great straight-line decimating monster. With the current generation, the GM engineers wanted to make the Corvette handle if not better than but as good as the segment benchmark in terms of handling-The Porsche 911.

The Porsche despite being underpowered than all its rivals offers pure driving pleasure and any motoring enthusiast would choose the Porsche if they were to pick the best drivers' car. The Corvette, however, has improved “Leaps and Bounds” in terms of Handling from its previous generations, and with the kind of Power on offer, it certainly is a better value proposition.

The Corvette has been the flagship for GM for a long time and with the Z06, GM just upped the ante in terms of benchmarks for its cars. The Z06 is the perfect imagination of an American sportscar. Unmatched power and performance, European handling and great pricing makes the Corvette a proposition unlike anything in the market. So if you wanna invest in a car that you would wanna treasure for the rest of your life and have fun on a daily basis, the Corvette Z06 is the one to go for.