2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

　　

2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Chevrolet is wasting no time winding up the Corvette purists. First it introduced the radically altered current-generation Corvette with its mid-engine layout and wild cockpit design. Now four years later, Chevy's made it a hybrid. OK, not exactly. But the 2024 Corvette has joined the march of progress by adding an electric motor to supplement its signature V8 muscle, a motor that sends more than 100 horsepower to the front wheels and effectively makes the Corvette a 600-plus-horsepower, all-wheel-drive sports car. In a final dash of cheek to the naysayers, Chevy has called it the E-Ray.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The 2024 Corvette E-Ray

The E-Ray's electric motor is powered by a small battery pack that recharges itself during deceleration and braking. Rather than real hybrid efficiency, the electric motor simply augments the performance of the primary 6.2-liter V8 power source behind the front seats. Chevy says the E-Ray will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, which would make it one of the quickest cars on sale today. The electric motor does offer one handy benefit for early-rising commuters, though. The battery can power the E-Ray in EV-only Stealth mode at speeds up to 45 mph, meaning you won't have to worry about the V8 waking the neighbors as you make an early escape for some empty backroads. The Corvette E-Ray will also come standard with Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, useful for fade-free braking if you decide to sign up for a local track day.

　　

Competitors to consider

Competition is understandably fierce when it comes to the Corvette. For a similar mid-engine balance, the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster are exceptional alternatives, especially if you opt for the six-cylinder engines. The BMW M4 is a more conventional front-engine coupe that offers more in the way of practicality, while the new Ford Mustang delivers comparable levels of V8 Americana. Overall, the Corvette is one of our favorite sports cars on the road — be sure to read our Expert Rating below for our full deep dive — and the new E-Ray looks to make it even better.

　　

What’s it like to live with?

zzdcar bought a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, and so far we've driven it more than 26,000 miles. We love its performance and comfort, and surprisingly for a V8-powered sports car, its average mpg. We've kept track of its maintenance costs and share what we think of its technology and what it's like as a daily driver. For complete details and for several videos, make sure to check out our Corvette long-term road test.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the Corvette Z06 drive? The Z06's 670-horsepower V8 means business. Even on a relatively cool day without a lot of traction, our test Z06 rocketed from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and cleared the quarter mile in 11.1 seconds. Getting those numbers required us to use the Z06's sophisticated Performance Traction Management software to tame the Z06's ferocious power, but the results speak for themselves.

　　Getting the most from the Z06's tires also requires trust in the stability control systems, but the results are even more impressive. Equipped with the Z06 Ultimate Performance package, which includes the Z07 suspension and ultra-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, our test car matched the Porsche GT3 for the highest number we've ever recorded on our skidpad: a neck-stretching 1.25 g.

　　In our testing, the optional carbon-ceramic brakes were less impressive, stopping the Z06 from 60 mph in 104 feet. That's about 13 feet longer than the 911 GT3, and the Z06's brake pedal felt wooden and didn't return the critical feedback you expect from a supercar. That said, the brakes held up under hard track use just fine.

　　Away from the track, the Z06 is docile enough to be driven around town without issue. The transmission shifts quickly and smoothly every time.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Corvette Z06? The Corvette Z06 manages to retain much of the standard Stingray's high levels of comfort. That's impressive, especially when you consider the added performance  The Z06's retuned adaptive suspension offers a fairly compliant ride on the highway but can also stiffen up for even the most demanding track use. One area where the Z06 can't match the less aggressive iterations of Corvette is interior noise. While the multi-mode exhaust settings can provide a drone-free highway experience, elevated levels of road and tire noise take their toll after a few hours behind the wheel.

　　Our test car was equipped with the Competition sport bucket seats, and we found them more than up to the task of track driving but slightly too intense for street use. There are less track-focused seating options available, so be realistic and keep that in mind when you buy your Corvette.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below