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The fastest and most hardcore General Motors vehicle ever sold in Australia is due in showrooms later this year – with a big price tag.
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 supercar will be the new most expensive vehicle ever sold by General Motors in Australia when it arrives in showrooms later this year.
Limited numbers of the Corvette Z06 – the most powerful and hardcore version of the new mid-engined Corvette – will come to Australia in a single model grade, priced from $336,000 plus on-road costs.
It is $146,000 – or 77 per cent – more expensive than a top-of-the-range Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, which will be hit with a $10,000 price rise for 2024 models arriving later this year.
Once on-road costs – including ‘dealer delivery’ fees, which some dealers representing GM have been found charging up to $39,500 for – are included, the price is expected to fall between $350,000 and $400,000.
However – as first reported by Drive – Australian examples of the Corvette Z06 will be less powerful than US models, due to a different exhaust system with emissions- and noise-reducing petrol particulate filters shared with versions sold in Europe.
The 5.5-litre naturally-aspirated, flat-plane-crank, dual-overhead-cam ‘LT6’ V8 in the Corvette Z06 – which can rev to a Ferrari-like 8600rpm, and is unrelated to the 6.2-litre pushrod V8 in the Stingray – develops 475kW and 595Nm in Australian trim.
Those numbers are down on the 500kW and 624Nm of US models, which lack the European exhaust – and have centre-mounted exhaust outlets instead of the Australian model’s outboard tips.
It sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 0-100km/h time is not quoted, however US models with more power have been timed as covering 0-60mph (97km/h) in 2.6 seconds.
Compared to the variety of model grades available in the US, there will be one version of the Z06 in Australia – the top-of-the-range 3LZ, in coupe form only.
Standard are six-piston 370mm front and 380mm rear Brembo brakes, adaptive Magnetic Ride Control suspension, and 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged alloy wheels in a ‘Spider’ design.
The 3LZ model brings a carbon-fibre steering wheel, carbon-fibre shift paddles, microfibre interior accents, leather-wrapped door and instrument panels, and GT2 sports bucket seats with nappa leather upholstery and carbon-fibre accents.
Optional is a Z07 Performance Pack, which adds carbon-fibre wheels built by Geelong-based company Carbon Revolution, Michelin track-day tyres, larger brakes with carbon-ceramic discs, retuned suspension, and a carbon-fibre aerodynamics package with a front splitter, front bumper ‘dive planes’, and a tall rear spoiler.
General Motors Specialty Vehicles has not said how many examples of the Corvette Z06 will come to Australia, but it has confirmed the allocation will be limited.
“Due to incredible global demand, the Corvette Z06 is a measured volume proposition, in keeping with its exclusive nature, availability will be very controlled,” General Motors Specialty Vehicles director Greg Rowe said in a media statement.
“We appreciate this may disappoint many performance enthusiasts, but at the same time it will ensure those who do become a Z06 owner will know they possess a very special piece of automotive folklore.”
Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
Read more about Alex Misoyannis
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