Huge asking price for the most capable and exclusive C8 Corvette to date
The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will be available in a single 3LZ specification priced from $336,000 plus on-road costs in Australia, where the first examples will arrive later this year in extremely limited numbers.
That comfortably makes the flagship C8 Corvette the most expensive – as well as fastest and most powerful – GMSV model to date, out-cashing the existing 3LT Convertible by a stark $121,000, even after the latter’s upcoming $10,000 price increase for MY24.
The starting price also solidifies the 475kW/595Nm Z06’s identity as a bona-fide supercar in the Australian market given it’s within the same pricing realm of some McLaren and Lamborghini models, most of which it outstrips for firepower – even with hobbled outputs resulting from a revised exhaust system.
Standard equipment highlights on the Australian Z06 vehicles will comprise a carbon-fibre steering wheel and paddle shifters, Nappa leather upholstery, carbon trim inserts, microfibre trim accents, GT2 sports bucket seats, adaptive dampers and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Apart from its naturally-aspirated LT6 5.5-litre DOHC V8 with flat-plane crank, which spins to 8600rpm, the Corvette Z06 adds 370mm front and 380mm rear Brembo brake rotors (with six-piston front callipers), a shorter 5.56 final drive ratio and a sharper suspension tune complemented by Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 (FE6).
Australian-made Carbon Revolution wheels (the largest wheels ever available on a production Corvette, with 20-inch forged aluminium ‘Spider’ wheels at the front and 21-inch at the rear), semi-slick tyres, carbon-fibre aero features, beefier carbon-ceramic brakes and a more aggressive suspension tune are part of an optional Z07 Performance Package, but GMSV is yet to reveal how much the performance-enhancing package will cost.
The exact number of Z06s being brought into Australia also continues to remain a mystery, with GMSV director Greg Rowe thus far only stating the mid-engined rear-drive coupe will be a “measured volume proposition” in light of strong demand worldwide.
Side view of 5.5L flat plane crank LT6 V-8 engine in 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
“Due to incredible global demand, the Corvette Z06 is a measured volume proposition, in keeping with its exclusive nature, availability will be very controlled,” Rowe.
“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.”
Previous dealer intel suggested the Z06 would be offered Down Under in a strictly limited allocation of less than 50 units in its first year and could even be distributed to customers via a lottery-style draw.
At the same time, GMSV has announced an upgraded MY24 Corvette Stingray line-up with improved design and safety features, along with a $5000 price hike across the range, ahead of first customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of this year.
Safety upgrades include Forward Collision Alert with Low-Speed Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning?, Following Distance Indicator?, Front Pedestrian Braking? and Intellibeam Auto High Beam Assist?
Meantime, the rear-end of MY24 Corvette Stingrays will be distinguished from current models by a new Z51 spoiler design, while two new five-split-spoke wheel options will be available – Satin Graphite with Machined Edge or Bright Machined.
Three new exterior colours are available for the updated model year, including Cacti Green, Riptide Blue and Sea Wolf Gray, with Carbon Flash now a regular colour option for all models.
Inside, new Driver Model Selector animations appear on the large, driver-oriented infotainment screen, while a new engine appearance package is available with the Convertible, the lighting option is reinstated for the 2LT and a lighting option and carbon-fibre close-out panels are available for the 3LT.
Additional visual updates include a wider, full-length Carbon Flash stripe design with five new colour options: Silver, Red, Blue, Yellow and Orange. Rounding out the updates is a new ‘frunk’ (front trunk) power soft-close latch.
GMSV this week also confirmed the Corvette E-Ray will come to Australia and New Zealand. No local ETA was announced, but the local GM importer said more information will be available in 2024.
The first electrified Corvette will be powered by an LT2 V8 driving through an e-AWD system that will result in the quickest 0-100km/h acceleration of any Corvette ever, aided by bespoke E-Ray functional design elements including wider fenders, quarter panels and fascias.
How much does the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette cost?
2LT Coupe – $175,000
3LT Coupe – $190,000
2LT Convertible – $190,000
3LT Convertible – $205,000
3LZ Z06 Coupe – $336,000
* Prices exclude on-road costs
** Plus $10,000 for each variant in NZ
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Keyword: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 priced at more than $336K