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It’s almost impossible to tell the difference between the 2023 Chevy Corvette Stingray and Z06. Here’s a little review of the differences between the two of them.
The spec sheet shows a lot of differences but you won’t know the differences until you see the 2023 Chevy Corvette Stingray parked next to the newly launched Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2023. The performance packs of the optional Z06 and Z07 are also functionally different from the Stingray, so it looks like much more than that.
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The Cooling Features
The first goal to notice is the front fascia. Besides the Z06’s side, vents and grille are significantly different, they have the features too. Each side vent faces the cooler, but 2023 Stingray only utilizes one for this purpose. The aperture on the 2023 Chevy Corvette Stingray is significantly smaller and the fan behind it is also less powerful. Inside the rim of the center grille, there are front brakes with cooling ducts. The new center-mounted liquid cooler is a way to significantly increase the capacity and keep the oil temperature low for the LT6 engine. Chevrolet states 2023 Stingray utilizes a mass cooling strategy.
The three radiators are located in front cooperate to cool the block and head. Before going to the engine, the sent coolants enter the radiators to further lower the coolant temperature before reaching the engine oil cooler, which is the transmission and liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger
Bigger Tires for Stingray
The next difference is 3 inches. If you are just looking at Z06, you won’t see the extra width, but you will definitely notice when it is parked side to side with the Stingray. The front fender has a crease at the end of the standard Stingray fender. This adds 1.5 inches on each side. Despite the extra width, the mirrors are the same for Z06 and Stingray, as a package of rear cameras.
The front tire width of the new Corvette Z06 won’t be known until it turns and the tread becomes visible. These tires are huge, and these may fit the 2023 Chevy Corvette Stingray with a 1.5-inch extension. The Z06 rubber is 275/30ZR20 at the front, and 345/25ZR21 at the rear. For comparison, Stingray tires measure 245/35ZR19 at the front, and 305/30ZR20 at the rear. You will also notice the boomerang is different in shape from the 2023 Stingray’s boomerang.
The Rear Exterior
Go behind the Z06, and you will see there are changes on the rear vents. It is not as big as the Stingray, but it is much wider and more functional than the Z06. There is a small extractor next to the back bumper, and you will notice the exhaust pipe is no longer in the corner.
Chevy exhaust tip offset to the mid of rear bumper, so the back diffuser is also different. As stated before, the back wing is a useful spoiler with interchangeable webbing as the standard of Z06, while Z07’s aero and carbon packages add a carbon-fiber wing with a wheelchair cover. The final upgrade on the back deck shroud was to replace the stingray crest with the Corvette flag, and the lettering “CORVETTE” was removed from the rear, at least in this pre-production version.
The engine compartment is invisible from the outside, and you will not find a difference when you open the hood. The design of C8 was grounded up with the new DOHC LT6. An additional clutch disc was added to increase torque, and the last drive ratio is 5.56:1. It provides a shorter response than the 2023 Chevy Corvette Stingray. The transmission lubrication system has been redesigned with a larger body to be more efficient at increased side loads. There is no need to add oil to the transmission when preparing the track.
In addition, the exhaust manifold has also been changed for obvious and not-so-good reasons. The TriY tubular exhaust manifold rotates to reduce restrictions and exhausts directly through the rear axle. The exhaust has been redesigned to reduce clipping and improve the quality of sound. The shape of the rear-mounted bezel is designed to bounce some sounds back to the driver.
When you listen to the 2023 Chevy Corvette Stingray engine turn on, you will notice that it is huge and then suddenly quiet. This is because the 2023 Stingray is equipped with a variable exhaust system with vacuum control. The lower the engine vacuum, the higher the RPM or engine load. This opens the exhaust, making the sound louder and the throttle smaller.