Behold the Sonic Glory of the LT6 Engine in the 2023 Corvette Z06!

Chevrolet’s brand-new LT6 makes lungs rattle and hairs stand up as it sings at 8,600 RPM in the 2023 Corvette Z06.

Few sounds exist that are more pleasing to an enthusiast’s ears than a finely-tuned V8. The platform offers a wide range of tones, from the deep breath of a 426 Hemi to the staccato of a classic Ferrari. The Corvette joined the V8 club in the 1955 model year, and we’re pleased to see (and hear) that crisp sound reborn with the LT6. A clean-sounding naturally-aspirated American V8 can be hard to come by these days. Well, the new 2023 Z06 Corvette answers this problem the only way it knows how – with one heck of a set of lungs, courtesy of the Drive 615 YouTube channel.

The LT6 is GM’s all-new DOHC V8 debuting with the Z06. It’s a totally clean-sheet design. That is, it’s built from the ground-up, entirely distinct from the LS series. In spite of its departure from the traditional pushrod configuration, the engine retains that signature V8 presence. It’s laid out in a flat-plane configuration, lending it a smoother idle note with a crisp, sharp rev spike. In fact, it’s the largest production flat-plane V8 at 5,463cc, a fact which marks it as both an engineering feat and useful for hard driving. The reason why is because the configuration allows the pistons to sit lower in the car, granting a lower center of gravity and better stability. Coupled with the mid-engine layout, the new Z06 should feel incredibly planted and responsive, owing to its racing heritage. In fact, this engine has more in common with the C8.R than meets the eye.

GT Racing Power and Handling in a Streetable Package

GM extensively adapted the engine from the 2019 race car, taking lessons learned at endurance racing to create an engine that’s reliable without sacrificing power. It features an aluminum block with CNC-machined combustion chambers and intake ports to start. The bottom end features forged aluminum pistons and titanium conrods. And finally, the quad-valve DOHC and dual valve springs push the V8 to its very limits without sacrificing reliability. All that work adds up to a staggering 8600 RPM redline and with 670 horsepower at your fingertips.

With the LT6, GM created one of the most powerful and highest-revving production N/A V8s per cubic inch. It’s also a far wider engine than previous models, leading to the Z06 being 3.6 inches wider the Stingray. Not that GM minds – that just gives them more room to fit the giant 345 rear tires. Between the quad exhaust (and that beautiful sound), wide stance, and elegant aerodynamic profile, the Z06 Corvette’s rear-end leaves a mighty impression. And with the power and handling afforded by that LT6, that view from behind’s what most people will see on-track.

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M.C. Cuccio

I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.