Track and trace - Corvette Z06

There’s so much carbon on this thing. It’s everywhere. No, it’s not all standard, but it’s a reminder that the Corvette Z06 is effectively a purpose-built race car with numberplates. Those visible carbon fibre ground effects down at foot level are worth nearly $10,000. That carbon fibre high wing rear spoiler? $14,950. You’ll want to look after it all.

Don’t fear the low-slung nature of the Z06 when approaching driveways and entranceways though – you can programme in GPS waypoints so that the car will deploy the nose lifter automatically, saving you that godawful scrunching sound. Even if you have to lift the nose yourself, it raises and lowers pretty rapidly.

Yes, the car is a ground hugging supercar, but actually visibility out isn’t as compromised as you’d think. You can unclip the roof and stow it in the boot too, if you want extra fresh air and sunshine in the cabin.

But it’d be ‘roof firmly in place’ for any racetrack visit. And that’s kind of what the Z06 is all about. Where the Stingray evokes all the old school ‘Murican Muscle V8 vibes of its heritage namesake, and the Corvette E-Ray adds a dash of plush hybrid-assisted waftability to the mix, the Z06 is an out-and-out race car. In a line-up of loud n’ proud performance cars, this one is the performiest.

It’s not quite the loudest though. Trading the 6.2-litre V8 found in its siblings for a 5.5-litre flat-plane crank V8, some of that low down V8 burble is lost. The trade off? A screaming 8600rpm redline, which you’ll need to be on a track to really experience, as the phenomenal engine behind your left ear is barely waking up at a casual 100km/h.

Why the flat-plane crank V8? These engines – which fire a cylinder every 90 degrees of rotation, as opposed to every 180 degrees of rotation like in a conventional V8 – can be tuned to excessive outputs. Ideal for racing then, which is why General Motors saves the engineering for this car, which in its home country especially, it likes to see at tracks all over the continent, number stickers on its doors.

In case you’re wondering, the Z06 boasts 475kW maximum power and 595Nm of torque. It also – whisper it – will glug gas at a phenomenal rate (20-litres/100km or thereabouts). But then, if you’re seriously in the market for a Corvette, that’s probably not top-of-mind, right?

In Z06 guise, the ‘Vette delivers a bespoke track-focused suspension tune and larger brakes compared with the Stingray, while its bodywork has also been heavily revised to increase downforce and powertrain cooling efficiency. Replaceable spoiler Gurney Flaps, rear brake cooling ducts, removable front fascia panel and front underwing Gurney Flaps increase downforce in order to keep the Z06 planted on the paved stuff.

Also available in New Zealand as an option, the Z07 performance package adds a larger carbon fibre rear wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration and unique Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tyres, along with Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. General Motors says the aerodynamic improvements with the Z07 package lift downforce levels to a staggering 333kg of downforce at 300km/h, more than any Corvette ever.

Even in ‘standard’ dress, the Z06 remains every bit the street legal race car. Out of the box the car arrives with staggered 20- and 21-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres (some of the largest wheels the carmaker has ever fitted to a road car), along with standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 which offers the driver three distinct suspension settings for optional balance between comfort and handling.

There's also "Z Mode", which can be programmed and activated with a dedicated button on the steering wheel, allowing for further customisation of the car's steering, powertrain and suspension. You can set up your Z06 like no other on the road, or track.

And that’s the thing with this amazing supercar – track access will be key. Yes, you can toddle down to the shops for milk (the long way), but the Z06’s USP is that screamer of an engine – something that you won’t ever tap into unless the words “hot lap” feature in your afternoon’s activities.

The all-wheel drive Corvette E-Ray will suffice otherwise, and that’s not to undermine the 488kW/806Nm E-Ray either, fantastic machine that it is.

But if you want the ultimate track focused ‘Vette, then the Z06 will deliver everything you need.