The Year of the Z06:
The most track-capable Corvette ever
Things were getting serious at racetracks everywhere as manufacturers had been constantly upping the ante with offerings that were boggling the performance car imagination. The C7 Corvette ticket to the party is the Z06, introduced to the world on January 13, 2014 as a 2015 model.
The 2015 Z06 had a lot in common with the C6 ZR1, last produced in 2013. Both have supercharged engines with horsepower well north of the 600 hp mark but with 650 hp on tap, the 2015 Z06 beats it's older brother by 12 hp.
As with the C6, the first year for the C7 - 2014 - did not have a Z06 in the lineup, giving the product planners and engineering staff time to get it right.
As with the C2, C5 and C6 iterations of the Z06, the C7 version comes with serious street and racetrack credentials. All aspects of the Z06, including the chassis, brakes, drivetrain and aerodynamics got the full performance treatment.
Similar to the C6 Z06, the C7 Z06 features a new "wide body" look which accommodates wider tires both front and rear. The fenders are 2.2 inches wider in the front and 3.15 inches wider at the rear.
On August 22, 2014 GM announced pricing for the 2015 Z06: $78,995 for the coupe and $83,995 for the convertible. This was comparable to $76,575 for the 2013 Z06 and far less than the $112.575 for the 2014 ZR1 which had a similarly supercharged engine.
The hood for the 2015 Z06 (above) was updated with a higher profile compared to the C7 Stingray hood (below). The exact height difference is not known but was needed to accomodate the supercharger located in the center of the engine. The 2009 thru 2013 ZR1 required a similar hood bulge for its supercharger.
Right: The Z06 hood vent, with updated extractor vanes is larger than found on the C7 Stingray allowing for increased cooling of the higher output engine.
Amongst the many visual cues that identify the C7 Corvette Z06 is a wider, more aggressive front brake vent which offers a "Z06 Supercharged" emblem.
2015 Chevrolet Corvette lineup: (front) Z06 coupe and convertible; (rear) standard coupe and convertible
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For 2015, the Chevrolet Corvette lineup consisted of four models: (front) Z06 coupe and convertible; (rear) standard coupe and convertible.
A couple of 2015 special edition models was introduced at the 2014 SEMA show: The (above) track focused Pacific Coupe and the luxury GT focused Atlantic Convertible, designed to reflect west and east coast influences. The Pacific coupe features satin black full-length racing stripes, satin black Z51 wheels with red stripe and Stingray center caps, "CFZ" carbon fiber ground effects package and visible carbon fiber roof panel, Carbon Flash rear spoiler, outside mirrors and exterior badges, red brake calipers, Competition Sport Seats in red or black, carbon fiber interior trim, Stingray sill plates and Stingray floor mats, custom splash guards and rear license plate frame and a gray indoor car cover. Color choices include Torch Red, Black, Arctic White, Blade Silver and Shark Gray which is new for 2015.
The Atlantic Convertible comes with a front Z06-style splitter, Shark Gray exterior vents, hood “stinger” graphic and tonneau inserts, Chrome Torque wheels with Stingray center caps, Stingray underhood liner and floor mats, custom splash guards, rear license plate frame and logo valve stem caps and custom luggage. Both editions come with the famous Z51 track package and 2LT or 3LT trim.
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Atlantic Convertible Chrome Torque wheels with Stingray center caps
Window sticker for 2015 Chevrolet Corvette w/Z51 and Atlantic Design Package. Standard Vehicle Price is $64,000, Atlantic Design Package is $6,445.00; Options (including 2LT trim) add up to $14,220; with $995.00 destination the total is $79,215.00.