Harley Earl conceived of the Corvette as a European-style sports car for the American people. In 1951, that vision included aerodynamic curves, a powerful engine, and a reasonable price tag. The Corvette was intended to be an affordable American sports car that was just as performance-oriented as any European road racer, and it has lived up to that promise. The 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 takes that vision a step further, and the changes don’t stop at its intimidating price tag. This actual supercar is a performance beast that’s not intended for the faint of heart—or those who never intend to hit the track.
But fear not—the 2024 Stingray continues the Corvette tradition. Drivers inclined towards innovation can also check out the new Corvette E-Ray. This is Chevy, after all. Each model in Chevy’s lineup can be configured to fit any driver’s needs, and the Corvette is no exception. It’s not a slight against you if the 2024 Corvette Z06 is not your ideal ride. While everyone wants to drive one at least once in their life, most of us have to admit that it wouldn’t be the ideal vehicle for our daily needs.
But, for those who do require what the Z06 provides, this American supercar is on point in every way. Whether you’re likely to add one to your garage or just want to live vicariously through the internet, the 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 is perfect for its intended driver and a life off the streets.
What It Means to Be a Supercar
The term “supercar” is somewhat subjective, in that there is not a specific horsepower range, engine size, or performance detail that cars need to meet in order to receive the distinction. Generally speaking, most of the vehicles in the class have over 500 hp and reach very high speeds very quickly—to the tune of 0-60 MPH in three seconds or less. They are street-legal but way more fun on the track.
The 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 is equipped with a 5.5L V8 DI high-output flat plane crank engine. This engine redlines at 8,600 RPM. This engine provides 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with the Z07 Performance Package, this engine propels the Z06 forward at acceleration rates of up to 0-60 MPH in 2.6 seconds. From an engineering standpoint, the Corvette Z06 meets the loose concepts that define a modern “supercar.”
But a supercar also has to be exotic. You can technically tune a Honda Civic up to 500 hp, but it won’t have the same appeal as an “official” supercar. (Plus, a Civic with that much zip wouldn’t be street legal—an automatic DQ for a supercar.)
The Chevy Corvette’s appearance has changed several times since its first year of production, and many Corvette aficionados will profess a strong preference for a specific generation. Over the years, however, the Corvette has always remained recognizable as an aggressive yet sensuous take on sports cars, European road racers, and American track cars. Whether you would describe its appearance as “exotic” is fully up to you, but it’s easy to agree that a Corvette certainly stands out in a world of sedans and SUVs.
What Makes the 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 So “Super”?
Beyond fitting the basic description of a supercar, the 2024 Corvette Z06 is an exemplary piece of automotive history. Not only is it fast and sleek, but it’s sophisticated and well-designed, to boot.
Chevy, always the master of customization, has provided drivers with a full array of options when it comes to selecting their American supercar. There are obvious options, like three different trims to choose from, each with its own selection of features. You can choose from a coupe or a convertible. Add the Z07 Performance Package if you’d like even more peppiness. Chevy even offers eleven different interior options, which can be mixed and matched with fourteen exterior color options and ten different stripe or graphic additions. Drivers truly have an opportunity to create the Z06 of their dreams just by ticking a few boxes. It’s a glorious testament to Chevy’s dedication towards driver satisfaction.
At the same time, a performance car is judged by how it performs, so for many drivers, the sheer thrill of harnessing that many horses is the main reason to get behind the wheel of the 2024 Corvette Z06. Here’s where this supercar really comes into its element. Consider the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Many manual transmission purists feel that automatics have no place in sports or performance cars. However, this isn’t the same transmission Chevy would put on a production Blazer. It’s not even the same transmission Chevy would have put in a Corvette a few generations ago. Innovation is critical when creating a top-tier performance vehicle, which is why Chevy offers the Corvette Z06 with state-of-the-art performance engineering, like Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0, four-wheel antilock, four-wheel disc carbon ceramic brakes, and rear brake cooling ducts. Milliseconds matter in performance vehicles, and Chevy takes each one seriously.
But Is a Supercar Right for You?
All of this information is enough to make even the most casual gearhead salivate a little. After all, who doesn’t want to feel 1.22 G pressing them into a track-designed, Napa leather-covered GT2 seat? Who doesn’t want to know what it’s like to turn on a performance data recorder and have unquestionable evidence of the fastest quarter-mile time they’ve ever tracked? And furthermore, Chevy is known as the car of the American people. How can the Corvette be the sportscar of the American people if it isn’t intended for everyone?
But the truth is that, like a fine-bred Thoroughbred racehorse, the Corvette Z06 won’t be happy doing everyday chores and has no chance of getting any heavy work done. Though it has a surprisingly large trunk space at 12.60 cu.ft., that’s probably not enough room for a science fair project, camping gear, or a full set of work tools. It might be more fair to say that the 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 is a supercar for the people—people who can buy, drive, and maintain a supercar.
Chevy has done a great job of creating a version of each of its models to fit as wide a range of drivers as possible. However, the Z06 may be one car that simply must exist within its own niche—to be taken to the track, lovingly pushed over 100 MPH regularly, and never to get its summer tires—ideal for faster track times—soiled by rain or snow.
Why That’s Good News
You may think, “That’s not fair,” and you’re right. It is somewhat unfair that not all of us get to know what it’s like to drive a Corvette Z06. After all, it’s a production car. It’s right there, legally available to purchase.
But the exclusivity of the 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 is what inspires its strength and performance. Not every driver needs or even wants a transmission that can automatically shift within milliseconds or a magnetic damping system that can evaluate and compensate for changes in the road faster than the human body can comprehend them. While very cool and highly enviable, the fact that these features are reserved for vehicles like the Corvette Z06 means that Chevy has fully developed and engineered this technology for this particular vehicle. It is the custom touch that has given European performance cars an alleged “edge” all these years.
The Corvette Stingray absolutely remains the sportscar for the American people. Similarly, the Z06 is the American supercar for people who want a real, truly intelligently designed vehicle that can be driven from track to track. After all, it’s hard to turn heads when you’re packed in a car trailer.
