The Chevrolet Corvette is a legend that will probably remain in production for many more years, and forever in people's hearts and memories. From the aboriginal C1 model introduced in 1953 to the latest generation C8, the Corvette has evolved as a masterpiece throughout history. The vision Chevrolet had for the Corvette remains true today, and the newest 2023 Corvette Z06 is a hell of a beast. It has much on offer for significantly less than what you'd pay for a supercar.

With a much crazier performance than the Stingray, we can place the Z06 very close to a proper supercar. And that fascinates enthusiasts. However, calling it a supercar might be a bit of a stretch since supercars have their relative benefits. Therefore, we went to explore five reasons why the new Z06 Corvette is a better take over a supercar and five reasons it wouldn't be worth it!

10 Why We'd Buy: The LT6 Produces Crazy Power Yet It's Daily Driving Friendly

2023 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 on the racetrack front third quarter view
Chevrolet

The Corvette Z06 features a 5.5-liter V8 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft and is naturally aspirated! What's more captivating about the engine is that, since it's naturally aspirated, it is very rev happy! Impressive 670 horsepower arrive at the push of the gas pedal, and the sweet sound of the engine is icing on the cake.

TheStradman Driving a brand new Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06
TheStradman 

It does 0-60 mph in mere 2.6 seconds and past 100 mph in under 6 seconds. It even broke the record for the fastest naturally aspirated V8 car on the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. And yet, the handling response doesn't require years of experience or immense skills to master.

Related: Watch The 2023 C8 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Embarrass Some Of Europe's Best Sports Cars

9 Why We Wouldn't: Only Available In Automatic

BMW 3.0 CSL Gearshifter
Via: BMW Press Group

Let's be honest; many purist enthusiasts like manual gearboxes and would prefer a stick poking out of the center console over flappy pedals behind the wheel. For some of us, not having a manual can even be a deal-breaker. The 8-speed automatic is very swift in playing and hopping between gears, but the feel of controlling the transmission is unexplainable.

Pagani Utopia Gearbox
Via: Pagani

What could have been better is to have an optional manual gearbox to captivate the stick aficionados (for reference, Pagani still offers manual options). The 8-speed automatic does a fantastic job though, so choosing that wouldn’t be so bad either. The combined city/highway 15 MPG is decent as well, considering the performance it gives.

8 Why We'd Buy: More Affordable Than Supercars

2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2 Cropped
Mecum Auctions

There are cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS that do not necessarily have the look of a supercar like a Ferrari or Lamborghini but have the price and performance to back it up. And then there's the Corvette Z06, which looks and drives like a supercar, but costs way less than actual supercars.

2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Cropped
Via mecum.com

With a price tag of just over $100,000, the 2023 'Vette aims to bring a taste of that quarter-million-dollar supercar flavor for less than half the price. Anyone looking to buy a fast car can do much worse than checking out the Z06 at least once. The optional performance package, aka the Z07, elevates things even further. The package grants a carbon fiber spoiler, wheels, carbon ceramic brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and a 41-lb weight reduction.

7 Why We Wouldn't: The Affordability Can Be A Double-Edged Sword

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Via mecum.com

The Chevy Corvette Z06 is one of the best cars money can buy. It comes under $115,000 for the Z06, and the performance package costs just $12,000 more. At this price point, it is a bang-for-the-buck deal considering all the factors. However, supercars are extravagant machines. They portray the lavish wealth of the individual and can also be considered a luxury symbol in society, even more so than luxury sedans.

Manny Khoshbin's Hermes Edition Bugatti Chiron
Via: Manny Khoshbin

So, the Z06's accessibility and affordability will keep it from winning that battle with supercars. Let's be honest; we see hundreds of regular cars for every supercar. They are something extravagant that very few individuals in the world can afford.

Related: This Is Why The Bugatti La Voiture Noire Is So Expensive

6 Why We'd Buy: It Won't Disappoint In The Looks & Sound Departments

Orange 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ on the road
Chevrolet

None can deny the fact that the Corvette Z06 looks gorgeous. The sharp rear, sublime front, edgy sides, and driver-oriented interior add to its beauty. And like we mentioned earlier, the performance package, which is offered as the Z07, makes it looks even more aggressive and potent.

All the tits and bits align to generate a sporty car feel, and so does the engine sound. The Flat-plane crankshaft helps the engine build up on RPMs quickly, and it revs up to 8600 rpm. Listen to this harmonious NA V8 above for a moment, and you'll see why.

Related: What Is The Best Sounding V8? Donut Media Taps A Film Audio Expert To Help Decide

5 Why We Wouldn't: It's Too Stiff For A Sports Car

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Via: Netcarshow

Yes, sports cars are mostly stiffer to go fast on the track, and the same is true with the Corvette Z06. It is less comfortable than the previous year's models as it features a 30% stiffer suspension setup than the Stingray to highlight its track-focused nature.

2023-chevrolet-corvette-z06-exterior-rear-angle
Chevrolet

It is a boon for many track-day enthusiasts, but as a daily driver, there may be a better fit. On the racetrack, you will love the new adjustments of the suspension, but struggling with it on daily rides around town might be a significant drag.

4 Why We'd Buy: One Of The Most Powerful NA V8 To Date

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Via: Chevrolet

Engineers always find it challenging to use the engine's volumetric capacity and create humongous horses. The reason the 5.5-liter V8 LT6 is credible is that it produces 670 horsepower despite being naturally aspirated.

2023-chevrolet-corvette-z06-lt6-engine-hotcars
Via: Chevrolet

Producing that much power is hard for most NA engines. However, Chevrolet nailed it this time and delivered what we know as "the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 to date!"

Related: A Closer Look At The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06's Powertrain

3 Why We Wouldn't: The Design & Style Are Not Striking Enough

Bugatti Chiron
Outrun via YouTube

The Corvette Z06 looks sharp, sporty, and very charming. The carbon elements, aggressive front, and rear styling, massive tires, low ride height, and engine behind the driver inspire enthusiasts to consider it the supercar. However, one thing common in any supercar is that all of them feature something unique and quirky in their terms.

2010 Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster
Pagani

Take the prominent "C" shape in the Bugatti Chiron and the quirkiness of any Pagani car. What they represent is that Supercars don't need to be perfect in terms of everything. This shows some visual elements can be considered more of a differentiating factor from other competitors! The Z06 doesn't stand out as much.

2 Why We'd Buy: It's Got A Very Responsive Handling

2023 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Z06 front third quarter view on the racetrack
Chevrolet

The ergonomics of the Corvette Z06 point towards how serious racetrack friendly car it is. And so is its handling. The Z06 is precise in the intention the driver wants it to follow. It handles excellently and gives you the supercar feeling.

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 3LZ 2 Cropped
Chevrolet

The stickier tires and credible suspension setups help the Corvette Z06 follow the fingertips rigorously with utmost confidence. Steering feedback inspires the driver to go full in and out of the corners. The Z07 model (race upgrade) takes it further because of its carbon brakes, spoiler, and wheels, saving about 41 lbs to make it even quicker!

Related: Chevrolet Lead Engineer Reveals How The New Z06 Handles Better Than The Standard C8 Corvette

1 Why We Wouldn't: It's Powerful, But Not Quite Enough To Beat A Proper Supercar

Lamborghini Huracán Performante
Via lamborghini.com

The Chevy Corvette Z06 produces a massive 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. There are some critical points to the LT6 engine, the major one being the flat-plane crank making it very rev-happy and giving it a harmonious wail. It is interesting indeed and enough to put a smile on anybody's face.

The Ferrari F8 Tributo on display.
Via: Ferrari 

But don't get us wrong, it is not on the supercar level. We can consider it an entry-level supercar, more like a rookie in the supercar industry than other serious performance supercars. But kudos to GM for closing the gap between a sports car and a supercar even more.