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See the First Picture of 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

We won't get all of the detail for another month, but this is the supercar fans have been waiting years to see!

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We finally know just how stunning the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will be. As, I first reported August 20th, all of the official numbers on the C8 Z06 will be released on October 26th but today Chevrolet actually released the first uncamouflaged photo of its performance supercar. I first saw it on a high-level executive’s social media.

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Expected Performance

The 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 is expected to get at least 600 horsepower and produce at least 480 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is a naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine, which features a 32-valve DOHC design and a flat-plane crank, similar to the same LT6 V8 in the Corvette racecar. It is expected to rev to at least 8,000 rpm. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In August, Chevy also released a video of the Z06 touring European cities. The audio of the performance car sounded impressive.

Fans have been waiting for a Chevrolet mid-engine Z06 ever since the mid-engine Corvette Stingray was introduced two years ago. Chevy did not give a specific reason for the timing of the reveal or why it is releasing the picture now.

Several unexpected delays forced Chevrolet to push the mid-engine Corvette Z06 to a 2023 version. The Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky has had a difficult 18-months, first because of COVID, then the semiconductor chip shortages and then parts shortages, not linked to the semiconductor chips. A February storm in the southern states forced many auto suppliers to cancel production of petroleum-based parts. Many 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray orders have been delayed into the 2022 model year production.

Unfortunate Delays for Chevrolet’s Halo Car

What is particularly sad about the delays is that the C8 Corvette has been a hot seller for Chevrolet. This is only the second year for the mid-engine design and there appears to still be significant demand for the performance car. Chevrolet worked for years to get the mid-engine design perfected. While Chevrolet still builds a relatively small number of the halo cars per year, compared to the huge numbers of trucks and SUVs, it is sad to see them lose or delay any of the planned production.

Electric Mid-Engine Chevrolet Corvette?

President Joe Biden said earlier this year that Corvette is also working on an electric version of the mid-engine supercar. Chevrolet is not commenting on when we might see that version.

Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.

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