The first factory-built right-hand drive Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to hit Australian shores has visited the local factory where its carbon-fibre wheels were made.
Carbon Revolution, located in Waurn Ponds, Victoria, is an Australian company that specialises in the development and production of carbon-fibre wheels for automotive OEMs around the world.
The company has made ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre wheels for a number of vehicles including the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Ferrari SF90 Stradale and 488 Pista, Renault Megane RS Trophy-R, and the Ford GT, among others.
Carbon Revolution is also set to produce the carbon-fibre wheels for the forthcoming Ford Mustang Dark Horse, as well as the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.
The carbon-fibre wheels on the Corvette Z06 measure in at 20- by 10-inches at the front and 21- by 13-inches at the rear. The latter of these wheels are claimed to be the world’s widest OEM carbon-fibre wheel, with the highest load capacity of any wheel produced by Carbon Revolution to date.
General Motors (GM) engineers have said the five-spoke carbon fibre wheels reduce unsprung mass by 18.6kg compared with the Corvette Z06’s standard forged aluminium 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
As previously reported, the Corvette Z06 is a more focused version of the company’s mid-engined hero, slotting in above the Stingray. It comes with a naturally aspirated, double-overhead cam 5.5-litre V8 with flat-plane crank and sky high 8600rpm redline, unlike the Stingray’s 6.2-litre LT2 V8.
The bespoke naturally aspirated bent-eight produces a mammoth 500kW of power and 624Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. A version of this engine has been used in Corvette C8.R race cars since 2019.
Aussie versions of the Corvette C06 will all be equipped in flagship 3LZ equipment guise, says GMSV. With the optional Z07 package fitted – also to be standard in Australia – the Z06 is capable of a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) of just 2.6 seconds.
The standard Z07 Performance package includes the Carbon Revolution-made carbon fibre wheels, carbon-fibre aerodynamic elements, unique suspension tuning, and ultra performance tyres.
As far as specific Z06 arrival times go, GMSV isn’t offering dates, other than to say “arrival times are yet to be confirmed and supply will be very restricted. We’ll be able to share more details at a later date”. That generally means it’s a fair way away, likely the back end of 2023.
In terms of price, we have the USA as a guide. Over there the Corvette Z06 coupe in 3LT spec costs 55 per cent more than the Corvette Stingray 3LT.
Last year’s Corvette Stingray 3LT cost $180,000 in Australia, suggesting you won’t get much change from $300k for a Z06 considering the 2024 models will be pricier.
“It’s exciting for our engineering and producing teams to see the fruits of our collaboration with GM, which dates back to 2016,” said Carbon Revolution CEO Jake Dingle.
“Our team is extremely proud of the wheel – it genuinely enhances the Z06’s performance and it looks superb on the vehicle.”
“The Carbon Revolution wheel is a testament to the talent of Australian engineers who have been able to design and manufacture one of the world’s most complex carbon fibre products,” said GMSV director Gregory Rowe.
“We’re thrilled that the Z06 benefits from such an advanced efficiency technology which comes from Australia.”
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