When the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show back in January, it proved itself a worthy successor to the supercar-slaying C6 model, even though Chevy wouldn’t say exactly how much power it produced.
Now, those power figures have been revealed. It was definitely worth the wait.
The 2015 Z06’s 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 is rated at 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. That makes the new Z06 the most powerful production car GM has ever built.
Not only does the Z06 eclipse the old Corvette ZR1’s output of 638 hp and 604 lb-ft, it also overpowers the McLaren 650S and SRT Viper, and is just one horsepower shy of the Ferrari FF’s output.
That record-breaking power output is achieved with an engine based on the same Gen 5 small-block design as the LT1 V8 used in the regular Corvette Stingray. Notable upgrades include a 1.7-liter supercharger, dry-sump oiling, aluminum cylinder heads, and titanium intake valves.
However, the 2015 Z06 won’t be an untamed race car. It’s the first Z06 to be offered as a convertible, and the first with an available automatic transmission. The eight-speed unit targets Porsche’s dual-clutch PDK, and will be offered alongside a seven-speed manual.
While the 2015 Corvette Z06 has yet to turn a wheel in anger, it’s earth-shattering power has already earned it a place in the history books. The Corvette team should be commended for proving that “America’s Sports Car” can run with the world’s supercars.
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