The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 features the most powerful naturally-aspirated V-8 ever put in a production car. This video from Chevy explains how engineers accomplished that.
Introduction to the Corvette Z06 Engine.
The performance of Chevrolet’s Corvette series is being improved across the board with the addition of a new naturally aspirated engine, providing enthusiasts with even more options to select from. The new 6.2-liter LT6 engine that can be found in the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 can have its displacement increased by up to 75 horsepower or 93 lb-ft in comparison to the previous 6.2-liter V-8, which had a rating of 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the heads and intake manifolds can be modified in order to make the engine larger. The final result is not just increased power but also increased efficiency, which enables higher gas economy than has ever been achieved before. This creates an environment that is conducive to Chevrolet’s aim of developing an all-electric vehicle in the not-too-distant future.
The Design
A naturally aspirated engine gives the Z06 road vehicle improved aerodynamics and a more genuine driving experience. It also puts the performance of the Z06 road car closer to that of the Corvette C8.R race car. The new engine, which was given the codename LT6, was required to produce more horsepower than the 6.2-liter V-8 that is present in the C7 Corvette Z06. This was the case despite the fact that the new engine has a smaller displacement and does not have a supercharger like the previous engine.
In addition to having two camshafts located in the overhead position, the LT6 engine utilizes a flat-plane crankshaft design. We have never witnessed the latter in a Corvette, but we have witnessed it in a few other Ferrari engines as well as the Voodoo V-8 that was featured in the most recent iteration of the Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang. Because the spinning sections of this design are more compact and less heavy than those of a traditional cross-plane crankshaft, it has a lower moment of inertia. Because of the way that this component was constructed, the engine is able to rev more easily. It also has a high-pitched howl that sounds more like a supercar than a sports car, which distinguishes it from the sound of any other General Motors V-8, especially the new exhaust.
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It is thanks to the flat-plane crank that the LT6 is able to reach 8,600 revolutions per minute (rpm). The flat-plane crank was also designed to work with tuning valves in the intake manifold, which optimize the quantity of air that is being sucked in. This allows the LT6 to reach its full potential. In addition, the intake system employs a phenomenon known as Helmholtz resonance in order to broaden the torque curve and improve the volumetric efficiency. These two goals were accomplished by increasing the volumetric efficiency.
According to the video, more than ten years after the first 6.2-liter naturally aspirated engine was installed in a Corvette and almost two decades after its last significant performance bump came with an increase in output from 505 hp to 631 hp — a number that represented a 60 percent increase in output when compared to its predecessor and was also an output increase of 68 percent when compared to the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter LT5 that was found in the generation of Corvettes This new engine, which was given the designation LT6, went on to become one of the most potent motors that has ever been manufactured for a production automobile.
The end result is 670 horsepower, in addition to 460 pound-feet of torque. That is 20 horsepower more than the C7 Z06 is capable of producing, but the C8 Z06 is unable to equal the C7 in terms of its extraordinary 650 pound-feet of torque. However, we anticipate that the new car will be fairly speedy (0-60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds) and more interesting to drive thanks to its engine’s willingness to rev higher than normal.
Production.
We won’t know for sure until the latter part of this year. Production of the Z06 is planned to begin later this summer at the same factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky, that produces other Corvette versions. The Performance Build Center, which is located at the same location, is where the LT6 engine will be assembled. The 2023 Z06 will be available in both a coupe and convertible body style, with the latter providing an excellent opportunity to experience the distinctive scream produced by the LT6 engine. corvette z06
FAQS
What engine will the 2023 Z06 have?
5.5L V8
On Thursday, Chevrolet unveiled the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine, a beast with a total output of 670 horsepower. This engine will be installed in the 2023 Corvette Z06 later on in 2018. The 5.5-liter V8 is the first engine in the history of the Corvette to feature a flat-plane crank, a unique design that is often reserved for racing vehicles and luxury brands like as Ferrari.
Is the 2023 Corvette Z06 supercharged?
Not content to be merely a racetrack-capable sports vehicle, the 2023 Z06 is on course to become a full-fledged American supercar. And this high-powered Corvette accomplishes all of this without the assistance of a supercharger.
How much horsepower will the 2023 Corvette Z06 have?
670 horsepower
A formidable 670 horsepower is the result of this endeavor. An eight-speed automatic transmission with a dual-clutch setup is responsible for transmitting power to the rear wheels. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 belongs to a select group of high-performance sports cars due to its estimated acceleration time of 2.6 seconds from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
How much will the 2023 Z06 cost?
The base price of the 1LZ trim level of the 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible will be $113,895, while the base price of the 2Z trim level will be $122,595 and the base price of the 3Z trim level will be $127,245. On July 28, 2022, the order books for the Coupe and Convertible body styles of the 2023 Corvette Z06 will open up for business for customers to place their orders at https://www.chevrolet.com/upcoming-vehicles/2023-corvette-z06
Conclusion
The mighty muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s have been replaced by modern-day speed machines. The Z06’s new engine is fit for this new era, as it combines improved performance with reduced emissions. In today’s world of hyper-performance cars, it seems fitting that the Corvette Z06 would take advantage of technological developments to remain a leading force in its segment.
Hopefully, you don’t take away from this that supercar-rivaling performance is coming now to the Z06. But the clear takeaway is that, even with a future engine upgrade, the Z06’s layout will remain largely unchanged. The engine will continue to be front-mounted for optimal weight distribution, and all-wheel drive’s days are still, for the time being at least, numbered. These design factors are crucial to ensuring the C7 Corvette Z06 remains one of the most engaging cars available today.