2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 3-Lap Review: It's a Ferrari 458 Speciale But Better

Road & Track editor-at-large Matt Farah took the 2023 Chevy C8 Corvette Z06 out for a 3-Lap review during our 2023 Performance Car of the Year test at Monticello Motor Club.
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[@captaindaddy8645]

much respect to the passenger...he filmed matt and played the steel drums

[@bobdolespen]

Ay mon!

[@kasandrapurplekitten]

from fastest Laps from fastestlaps at that track: AMG GT Black series: 1:19.42 Corvette C8 Z06 Z07 Package 1:20.55 Porsche 911 GT3 (992) 1:21.69 Lamborghini Huracan STO: 1:21.90 SideNote White Helmet probably Travis

[@C5Ron7]

Thanx for the stats!!! 👍

[@dennisbohner6876]

Have you thought that a lighter driver may give better results?

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

The AMG GT Black with its flat plane crank is the only car I would prefer. I would probably take an AMG GTS used over the C8 as it is just so classy and still more than enough performance for the road.

[@markw9512]

@@dennisbohner6876 lol. But I don’t think it was he who turned that time.

[@markw9512]

@@user-od9iz9cv1w Only thing about AMGs is that they ride *stiff*, uncomfortably so in many cases. If you live in an area with smooth roads it’ll be fine, but where I live it’s a hard pass.

[@fkhothatchi]

the background music ruined it

[@thehawkguy]

100

[@TurninTrackOut]

Clicked when I saw Farah in the preview. Heck ya

[@roadracer523]

Same

[@DBravo29er]

💯

[@Cgee3]

I’m hoping that Chevy does a bare bones “light weight” version of the Z06.

[@polystictus]

GT3 R race car. Otherwise a low option car.

[@ArchaicLoL]

That’s the Z07 package

[@Tabletop-Newtype]

Maybe a full carbon body one?

[@technom3598]

@@Tabletop-Newtype carbon body work vs fiberglass is pretty negligible. You might save 50-80 pounds and increase cost massively

[@JeepCherokeeful]

Nope, they’re giving you a battery one instead;(

[@roycolter612]

Bro please fire whoever picked the background music for this video, it does not fit the car or the track at all. If the car sounds that good, I want to hear it.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

It's a 458 with 100+ extra horsepower, magnetic shocks and a 50% discount. Plus, you can take it to any Chevy dealer for service and get parts anywhere for the foreseeable future. But probably harder to find one available for delivery.

[@BrendanEvan]

This

[@JustinTipton]

458 has magnetic shocks, FWIW.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

@@JustinTipton Thanks, did not know.

[@yuliartoandry]

​@@user-od9iz9cv1w yes, in fact, 458 adopted similar MRS first used in C6 ZR1 and later 2012 Z06. All supplied by Delphi

[@technom3598]

The worst part is you have to take it to a Chevy dealership

[@kareemrichards8635]

Okay I'm sold, your reaction says it all. Thanks for sharing captain.

[@jetdriver]

I always respect Matt’s take on a car but the way this video was put together was terrible. The engine noise seems muted likely so we can here Matt better. And the outside camera work makes the car look slow. I never have the feeling that we are seeing a car being driven in anger.

[@shaft9000]

Perhaps it is because it's being driven at about five 10ths, and not being driven in anger?

[@jetdriver]

@@shaft9000 your almost certainly right and that’s the point. It’s boring to watch.

[@tikijojo]

What a machine! However, Nothing says Z06, track, performance like loud Calypso music 🎵 playing in the background.

[@markw9512]

Next time it’ll be polka

[@XxViciousxX]

Such a phenomenal car can definitely see myself getting one of these.

[@shoobidyboop8634]

So many dealers are looking forward to raping you to the tune of $30K-$100K over MSRP.

[@audawgg_tv]

you can defiantly (definitely) turn your diploma back in

[@XxViciousxX]

@@audawgg_tv No Google can turn its diploma back in I typed this in with googles text to speech and posted it. Though it is my fault for assuming it could get things 100% and not proofreading.

[@AVRides]

If you’re not already on a dealer’s list, you’re too late

[@polystictus]

@@AVRides No kidding, you had to have wanted one before knowing the much about the car two to three years ago. I'm afraid this car will be stopped being produced before many with deposits get a car. Maybe some will settle for an E-Ray which will likely slow up Z06 production.

[@corystansbury]

I like how the bleeped the F-bomb in the cold open, but not the video, proper. Interesting choice of music when 2/3 of the video is extolling the sound!

[@_VelociDad]

“Hey Zeus Cristo my friends… 😂 it’s a 458 Speciale… but with more grip”! That says is all. Can’t wait to drive one!

[@dennisbohner6876]

The only thing ever holding back the engineers at GM was the management's desire for profits first. Once they decided to let it go of the funds (Halo products actually are good (recall the 60's).) and you get a bulletproof supercar. Bulletproof? GM does give warranties. They don't want those repair bills or lawsuits coming home to roost.

[@ravenstylea2]

Awesome and informative review here!

[@bradwilliams4921]

Looks like fun!

[@hunterlogan2913]

good review presenting C8's highlights!

[@JordanPayneLV]

Video was great, car is great, but on future videos can we spend more time looking outside the windshield, I like to see and feel the leaning of the car and when camera angles go to the wheels and stuff I really don’t get an understanding of how it drives

[@thnktank1]

I've been a subscriber, this video did not show up on my subscription page!!!!! I found it just now because of the algorithm

[@jorgecgonzalez9976]

Matt rocking that Pepsi as he has fun in the C8 Zo6.

[@georgegonzalez8818]

Haha I picked that up too....

[@shouldigetit]

@@georgegonzalez8818 Nice

[@gaddyify]

It also won Motor Trend Performance Car Of The Year.

[@ryanbaker1138]

still an amazing bargain

[@christianslense455]

Who chose the zoo music?

[@Brianv1]

I'll be waiting years for mine but it'll be worth it

[@bernardbernabe7733]

Like 10 yrs?

[@Brianv1]

@@bernardbernabe7733 slightly hard to predict because no one really knows at this point how many GM will be able to make per year, but my best guess is I’ll b waiting 2-3 years

[@dougmaverick3287]

Matt, I was checking out of of your videos from 2016, and after watching this video....wow have you put on a lot if weight brother. Remember my friend.......Health before wealth. Peace.

[@marksummers463]

ls skop thw oh my Gods bro! THANKS!

[@jaybrazelton5245]

Matt F. Makes it look so Easy. Great Driver!!!

[@aconfusedazn]

He’s not a great driver, but a good reviewer.

[@BrendanEvan]

Here for Farah

[@nitroxide17]

Beautiful 😊

[@SahanRavinder]

Who edits this 😂 2:00 Matt (black helmet) 2:09 Slow Driver (white helmet)

[@davidwhite2411]

Great video, but just always curious why everyone thinks the flat plane crank is Ferrari. Cadillac invented the flat plane crank in the thirties.

[@Geetee3991]

Because Ferrari has been using it with much success significantly more recently than the 30s. There aren’t any modern flat plane crank engines in American cars other than the gt350.

[@aaronvector4750]

@@Geetee3991 Cadillac CT6 V Blackwing

[@davidwhite2411]

@@aaronvector4750 Blackwing! 🔥🔥

[@johncarl5505]

Cadillac didn't invent the flatplane crank V8. What they did invent was the crossplane crank V8 for luxury purposes.

[@redgediakite3364]

@Mr Anonymous No

[@g00dl00kinb0i]

And why wouldn't you believe GM can build a high RPM engine if needed ? They've been building racing engines not only to complete but also win championships against a high RPM master company like Honda during every Indy Car race. This Z06 was the first car that would truly benefit from using a high-end motor, it weights more then the small block just by looking at it.

[@technom3598]

Correction... They have been other companies make their race engines that are success n

[@corystansbury]

The Honda engine is designed in the U.S. by U.S. engineers and the Chevy engine is ilmor from the U.K.

[@shaft9000]

It's a matter of financial commitment, not ability. Building a few engines for a spec racing class vs tooling up for production of 100s-1,000s to sell to the public entail totally different goals and budgets. In the '80s GM had already committed R&D and tooling needed for the mass production of DOHC engines with the Northstar, but Corvette buyers weren't demanding the high revs of a flat-plane design, or even another DOHC ZR1 'enough'.

[@g00dl00kinb0i]

@shaft9000 Agreed, that's why I mentioned the C8 Z06 is the first car to benefit from a motor redesign since they already took a staple car and turned it upside down for the current generation.

[@mcmc1863]

Every manufacturer's engineers can bulild what everyone elses engineers can, it all comes down to budgets etc

[@cheezygordito7627]

Now is a great time for Chevy to go back with the circle taillights.

[@glennmorris25]

Matt isn’t a half back if you know what I mean. He’s more of an O-line guy. Notice he doesn’t comment on how comfortable he is ;)

[@pasadera1]

Nice corvette

[@robertlobdell3509]

Smokin tire was cool this video Matt who?

[@randyterwilliger7457]

Great car but Emilia just took delivery for her’s , fully loaded I assume , and it was a little more than $ 152,000 out the door .

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

I want Michelle to build my engine. She is the best.

[@Supercharged111]

Would you still if Michelle was a dude?

[@John.Christopher]

​@@Supercharged111absolutely not, dudes can't build car engines

[@sleepeatdrive7619]

Wow better than the 458 Speciale?! That’s awesome!

[@shaft9000]

It's a journo being invited to help sell a car at this point. Only the test of time and some h2h comparisons will help us to know better.

[@ryants1]

They need to offer a lighter race version

[@Shadowboost]

I have never driven these cars, but better than a Speciale? Just can't agree because of the weight difference. Better engine, better tires, faster. But I disagree on better

[@elderglass5754]

Your giving more credit to Inzo than GM..Don’t hate the player learn the game!

[@caxsfSpeedster]

Finally US engineering!!!

[@WindyCity1992]

Finally? After all the innovations From domestic manufacturers A flat plane crank is the one?? It's not even the best vette motor

[@caxsfSpeedster]

@@WindyCity1992 you are right.. But here in Europe we usually never associate US cars to good engineering...and now.. I think this car at least is a bold interesting move.. Loved it..

[@markw9512]

@@WindyCity1992 Best in terms of what?

[@TheShootist]

It's a Ferrari 458 Speciale But Better if James May says so, I'll believe it.

[@tinytim71301]

💪 ❤

[@Cam_nic]

People and the internet comparing it to the Gt500 🤣 get out of here the mustang isn’t supposed to be compared to that, it’s competition is the Camaro 😭🤡

[@khackett7]

This music

[@barneyhalldorson7610]

Enough of the Z06. Why can't I, having driven Corvettes for years, just be able to buy a regular C8 stingray at MSRP. Why, Why Why? GM wake up!

[@miked.7722]

And when all is said and done they'll pick a Veloster. 🤣 can't take these guys seriously after the Veloster.

[@bmx687]

Tell me you aren't a car person without telling me you aren't a car person

[@Mamo878]

More like $160k with Z07 and more like closer to $200k with dealer mark-up. So there is that.

[@Luke-cb3ly]

No

[@theranter]

Not if you go to a decent dealership… I know Whitmoyer Chevrolet here in PA was selling them at MSRP… but they’re out of allocations for the next 3 years now.

[@CanadianSpeedster]

MSRP at my dealer

[@jrc6368]

@@CanadianSpeedster No way!

[@ludda42]

Speed Phenom paid $185k for his

[@ssoffshore5111]

I'm not a fan of Matt's, but the new Z06 does look and sound impressive. Driving impressions and track times so far look impressive as well.

[@robdevaux3407]

Video would be so much better with only the sound of the engine and no whiny voice.

[@anonymous..-]

Dude forgot to select the Big & Tall option.......and still no track times.

[@mikasaur]

It's pronounced Speciale!

[@bobwarrens4656]

458 but faster

[@walterrezendes4507]

Wish he didn't speak as much,background music,the engine screaming will be sufficient music

[@Uh-huh-uh-huh]

Think of all the money you'll save on the car, the maintenance, and the uninterested gold diggers that won't notice you.

[@ahmadflemming9041]

I think its crazy people are comparing this Z06 to a Ferrari that almost 15 years old, not really bragging rights in today time. I wanna see it go up against a more modern Ferrari 488 or F8 maybe a 720s for some real bragging rights, and even those cars are on their way out the door. But if it can out performs those that's going to be a game changer.

[@danieljohnson4418]

The C8 Z06 is being compared to the Ferrari 458 Speciale because the latter is the pinnacle of naturally-aspirated mid-engine greatness.

[@luxuriousmindset1906]

Um most powerful production na v8 my guy that was the point 😒😒😒😒😒 its not meant to compare to those cars

[@2t713]

Shrek driving a Corvette!

[@ronwink9573]

A car with speed limits that you really can't enjoy to drive without getting a ticket

[@squidusn71]

What can't you enjoy a car like this, and what ticket?

[@silvestrocrino3256]

I hear its a 2 - 3 year wait and that dealers are charging up to $100K over MSRP... so ... now it's a $250K car... It's a very good car, but pass...

[@Luke-cb3ly]

Lmao, no

[@josefranciscoramirez4438]

The Speciale is already a collection car, there's no comparison between this two but maybe performance, which speaks bad about the Z06 since the Ferrari is an old car.

[@WindyCity1992]

The car does 0-60 in 2.2 No Ferrari has done that stock Besides the SF90

[@papa_pt]

think man. This car has an ever hotter NA flat plane V8 than the 458 which is why they're being compared. Ferrari doesn't build motors that sound like this or the 458 anymore. Performance wise this is also a far more capable car

[@hasangenc2922]

I'd hope its better, its a decade newer.

[@Luke-cb3ly]

define "better"

[@dannyd7714]

458 Speciale but better 🤣 You know drugs are bad for you right?

[@technom3598]

The speciale is a great car but it's not that great. It's an old car at this ☝️

[@hernanorihuela3230]

130 or 40 out the door…plus $100K mark up. That’s how much a Houston dealer wanted for an allocation

[@davidyackell]

Wow! Listen to that engine! I can't because your playing crap music over the vehicle sound track and the in car commentary 🤦

[@literallyshaking8019]

I still can’t believe that Chevy built this thing.

[@doca8792]

The car went on a diet.

[@imtheonehero9305]

This used to be the nissan gtr. Now it's a corvette. Bye bye jdm.

[@FFE-js2zp]

The 458 is 15 years old and AWFUL

[@FFE-js2zp]

@@iannealcole A 4.63 secs to 60 reason. On Dragy.

[@corvetteZ3r]

@@FFE-js2zp still a 10 second car

[@kimchee411]

The 458 is awful? What is a good car in your mind?

[@FFE-js2zp]

@@kimchee411 An engine capable of producing torque is a good start.

[@markw9512]

So in this case I guess the Porsche GT three would not qualify as a good car either… A shame considering its stellar lap times

[@brycecampbell4845]

It's a "Ferrari" that spends more time broken than on the road because it's an unrefined over-priced GM pos..

[@jmm1174]

Great car. Bad video. Background music is terrible👎

[@CatchyNameF1]

It took GM 30 years to reach 458 levels of performance. Plus all these years the hypocrisy of the US and British press "preferring" the cross plane sound only to retract and salivating for the US copy of an Italian engine. Ferrari gagged by the unfair emissions regulations mutes their engines with particulate filters robbing them of their character and flair. It looks and sounds like a GTA Italian car. Not a bad copy, but a copy nonetheless.

[@papa_pt]

Lol this would destroy a 458. The last Z06 as well Idk what you're going on about. The only time Americans hear a flat plane crank is in a Ferrari, and I've never seen a US review that doesn't talk about how amazing they sound (especially pre turbo) You sound mad the Europeans don't build a motor like this anymore 😂

[@luxuriousmindset1906]

@@papa_pt yeah pretty much i love euros but i would buy one

[@technom3598]

@@papa_pt it is almost 15 years later buddy.

[@bmx687]

@@papa_pt ofcourse it'll destroy a 458. The car is almost 10 years newer you goof

[@millionairemindset1136]

Sounds like a Ferrari smh…. Now Ferrari guys will really be like look at that Ferrari wanna be. Man I wish they would have stuck to the American sound.

[@markw9512]

They did. The Stingray version still has it. 😊

[@brian4544]

Hey, RT, no need for Matt to be dropping F bombs throughout the video. Even your editorial standards are lower these days.

[@mattwebb6437]

Farah is normally a great journalist. He let himself down cussing like that.

[@rlhmarines]

I want Andy Pilgrim back….never mind I was thinking this was Automobile magazine.

[@polystictus]

Sounds like he was pretty F'n excited about the car.

[@NoPrivateProperty]

the entire society is degenerating

[@orlnz]

Ferrari doesn't wanna sound like a corvette... Nothing sounds better than the American V8 LS6 LS7 LT 4 etc etc..not quite sold on the engine dound..

[@luxuriousmindset1906]

Get over it 🙄

[@squidusn71]

There will be no exhaust sound in the very near future.

[@joelcruz998]

A Ferrari engine built by Chevrolet? Poor review.

[@pyrho1]

It's not professional to have your journalist swearing in your videos

[@mach5zx10r]

This guy lost all credibility after his NSX review

[@covenantrealestategroup8101]

Shame on you for taking the Lord's name in vain and using the F word on an official publication. How dirty our world has gotten that you would deem this acceptable.

[@Pmtd1234]

# 228 @ MacMulkin.