Following several leaks, Chevrolet has officially revealed the 2015 Corvette Z06 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Set to go on sale early next year, the Corvette Z06 is powered by an all-new LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine which develops "at least" 625 hp and 861 Nm of torque. It will be mated to either a standard 7-speed manual gearbox with Active Rev Match or a newly developed 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission.
The latter features four gearsets and five clutches and fits the same space as the 6-speed automatic used in the Corvette Stingray. Extensive use of aluminum and even magnesium make it more than 4 kg lighter and up to 5 percent more efficient thanks to the reduced frictions, when compared with the six-speed automatic.
Chevrolet will offer a carbon fiber aero package which includes a front splitter with aviation-style winglets, rocker panels and a larger rear spoiler with a fixed wickerbill. Customers can also order the Z07 package adding larger winglets, see-through center section on the rear spoiler, Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup tires and carbon ceramic-matrix brakes. With this package, the Corvette Z06 will deliver the most aerodynamic downforce of any GM production car.
The 2015 Corvette Z06 rides on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, with P285/30ZR19 front tires and 335/25ZR20 rear tires. It is the first Z06 to feature a removable roof panel made from carbon fiber which has helped the car to offer 60 percent more structural rigidity than the previous model's fixed-roof design.
