The Corvette Z06 is here, and it’s fast

Chevrolet has announced that the brand-new Corvette Z06 will deliver "at least" 625bhp, which is an unsubtle but effective way of saying the brand-new Corvette Z06 is "really bloody powerful".

That power gain is significant, because not only is it more than the sixth generation Z06, but it's almost as powerful as the last-gen ZR1 - that's the halo car. And this power comes from a supercharged engine; a first for a Z06.

So, here it is: the seventh generation of a modern performance icon. Taking the new Stingray as its base - a car we described as stunning - the new Z06 gets a supercharged LT4 6.2-litre V8, producing over 625 horses and a not insignificant 635lb ft of torque. The compact supercharged and intercooler assembly is mounted in between the cylinder heads, while that V8 features cylinder shutdown tech to make it more efficient.

But you don't care about such things. Not when there are forged pistons, lightweight titanium valves, aluminium cylinder heads, stainless steel exhaust manifolds and a dry-sump oil system on offer. It'll come with either a seven speed manual ‘box (with rev matching) or an eight-speed paddle-shift auto, driving the rear wheels, obviously, through a standard-fit electronic limited slip differential. There's no word on performance data just yet, but the old Z06 could do the sprint in 3.9s. Expect much more fastness.

The adaptive dampers are standard on this new Z06, adjustable for comfort or track attack, together with traction control, launch control, stability control and that e-diff. There are flared arches, larger wheels and tyres (19s on the front, 20s on the rear), steel brakes, a new front splitter, carbon fibre bonnet and rear spoiler, cooling elements and a removable roof panel too. Inside there are magnesium seats, soft touch materials and a ‘fully-wrapped' cabin.

If all this isn't nearly as quick as you desire, there's the option of the Z07 performance pack, which adds larger carbon ceramic brakes, winglets to the front splitter, an adjustable rear spoiler (to give more downforce on the track), and stickier tyres. With this fitted, the Z07 pack has lapped quicker than the old ZR1.

"The Corvette Z06 is a great example of the technology transfer between racing and production Corvettes," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "We took what we learned on the Corvette Racing C6.R and applied that to the all-new Corvette Stingray. Then, using the Stingray as a foundation, the Z06 and C7.R were developed to push the envelope of performance on the street and the track." Oh, that's right - there's a C7.R racer too. This new Stingray certainly means business - if the Z06 is this quick, how quick will the ZR1 be?