The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R is one of the newer GT3-specification challengers to take to the grid of the worlds best racetracks, the vehicle flying the flag for automotive giant General Motors in top-flight GT racing.
The LMGT3 version of the vehicle made its debut at the start of the 2024 World Endurance Championship season, and came to LMU in December 2024 as part of the first batch of LMGT3 contenders to feature in the title. This guide will go through the vehicle with a fine toothcomb, and will help you conclude whether the ‘Vette is the right GT racer for you.
The Z06 GT3.R Has Already Proven Its Mettle On Real Life Tracks
Despite being one of the newer GT3 cars in existence, the Z06 GT3.R has already shown what it’s made of. The vehicle was dropped straight in the deep end upon debut in 2024, taking on the WEC and the North America-based IMSA Sports Car Championship, as well as a part-campaign in GT Challenge America.
Unlike its chief rival, the Ford Mustang GT3 that debuted alongside the Corvette in 2024, the Z06 GT3.R showed pace from day one. It scored a top-five result on debut at the 2024 Daytona 24 Hours, before then scoring its first IMSA podium two races later at Laguna Seca.
The wait went on a little longer in the WEC, with a double-rostrum result in the season-ending Bahrain 8 Hours marking its first appearance on the box. Its first win in international competition came at Mosport in IMSA during 2024, with its first WEC victory coming in the 2025 curtain opener in Qatar.
The Corvette’s biggest asset is its heritage, with the model having relentlessly competed in top-level GT racing for the past quarter of a century. Its flatplane V8 is also unique compared to its competitors, which brings a stand-out engine note to its striking looks and commanding history.
- The Corvette Z06 GT3.R will best suit more experienced drivers due to its challenging handling balance making it harder to extract ultimate and consistent pace. To get an idea of how it handles, take a look at this lap guide of the Z06 running around Portimao:
Car Specifications & Key Features
The Z06 GT3.R is based on the road-going Chevrolet Corvette Z06, one of the fastest sports cars on the planet. The GT3 version of the car is also closely based on the old GTE spec Corvette C8.R, which used to compete in the WEC and IMSA before the GTE ruleset was replaced with LMGT3 in 2024.
The Z06 GT3.R utilises a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 engine, which was lifted directly from the GTE version of the C8 and placed in the middle of the car. It’s mated to a six-speed sequential transmission built by Xtrac. Its aero setup was also closely based on the older machine, though the ABS system was developed especially for the newer car, given the GTE vehicle was never natively equipped with it.
- The Z06 GT3.R’s aero package features an adjustable front splitter and rear wing, as well as a flat floor and rear diffuser that help to increase downforce and stability
- LMU closely recreates every aspect of the Corvette in-game, from the unique-sounding V8 to its aero package from the tip of the nose to the last edge of the tail
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Handling & Performance on Track
The Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s mid-engined layout means it tends to rotate more naturally through corners than more stable front-engined cars featured in LMU. When firing the car through a fast corner, you’ll find the nose wanting to dive towards the apex, while the rear can feel light.
When under heavy aero load through faster bends, the Z06 is pretty stable, though the tail can be pretty snappy on corner exits. Of the mid-engined vehicles, the Z06 is arguably the least stable, though by no means is it unpredictable. When driven properly, the extra rotation can be used to roll more speed through fast and slow corners.
Its snappiness means it isn’t quite as stable as the likes of the Ferrari 296 GT3, though the potential to carry more speed is there when driven effectively.
- The front likes to naturally aim for the apex, so utilize this balance to carry greater corner speed to make lap time
- It can be easier to overheat the rear tires as a result, but drive smoothly and open the steering earlier past the apex during stints, and this can be controlled
- The naturally aspirated V8 provides a smooth torque curve, ensuring traction is solid. Lower TC values can be used as there is less chance of an uneven torque curve causing the tires to spin up
- The Z06 GT3.R is excellent under braking, and its natural rotation means you can brake super late and carry good speed towards the apex
- In LMGT3 spec, the Z06 GT3.R produces less downforce and power than when run in full GT3 guise, as you’ll find in iRacing and ACC
Best Tracks for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R in Le Mans Ultimate
The Z06 GT3.R’s natural rotation means it works well through tracks with many slower corners and changes of direction, such as Imola. When driven properly, it’s also an effective weapon through the faster bits, though it’s tougher to be consistent than when driving front-engined cars or rivals like the McLaren 720s GT3 Evo.
This means it can excel at tracks where carrying momentum is important, though it’s less effective at venues where straightline speed is important.
- The Z06 GT3.Rs’ dry characteristics remain prevalent in the wet as well as the dry, though its relative lack of rear grip can catch out less experienced racers when things get slippery
The vast majority of the Corvette’s victories in real life have come at tracks where carrying momentum is important, like Mosport and Laguna Seca, though its wins at Daytona and Bahrain show it can get the job done anywhere when the stars align.
Need Some Setups For Your Z06 GT3.R
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How It Compares to Other Cars in The Class
The Z06 GT3.R compares closest to other mid-engined cars like the 296 GT3 and 720s GT3 Evo, though it isn’t quite as stable as either. Its nose does tend to swing towards the inside of the corner more easily, so it can prove effective if the rear end can be kept in line during the exit phase of the bend.
- The ‘Vette has a slightly longer wheelbase than either the Ferrari or McLaren, though this doesn’t translate to extra stability
- It turns in much more actively than front-engined cars like the BMW M4 GT3 and Aston Martin Vantage, but is better balanced than the rear-engined Porsche 911 GT3.R
- The Z06 GT3.R struggles to match any of its rivals in a straight line, given a good few kphs away down longer straights
- This makes it a weaker choice for tracks like Monza and Bahrain, where top-end speed is important
If you fancy examining some of the other vehicles that make up LMU’s LMGT3 class, Coach Dave Academy’s will take care of you.
Final Verdict: Is the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R the Right Choice for You?
The Z06 GT3.R is one of the trickier cars to make competitive in LMU, due to its less balanced handling compared to the likes of the 296 GT3 and 720s GT3 Evo and lack of straightline speed. It’s one of the most engaging and rewarding vehicles to pilot when you get it right though, and can be effective as tracks with many changes of direction and shorter straights.
| Pros | Cons |
| High natural rotation means makes it easy to carry strong corner speed in a variety of bends | Its back end is pretty snappy and can be difficult to keep in check when past the apex, making it more difficult to commit and carry good corner speed on exit |
| Excellent brakes allow drivers to attack braking zones with confidence, also making it easier to defend and attack other racers | One of the slowest LMGT3 cars in a straight line |
| Naturally aspirated V8 provides good traction on corner exit |
The Corvette Z06 GT3.R is best suited to more experienced racers, who prefer dealing with the extra rotation that you’ll need to keep controlled to make speed. For less experienced drivers, other mid-engined rivals like the Ferrari or McLaren will be the better bet.
- Aggressive Drivers: 9/10
- Endurance Racers: 6/10
- Casual Sim Racers: 5/10
Wrapping Up
While not one of the more popular choices in LMU due to is lack of straight line prowess and slight instability, the Corvette offers a varied driving experience that is great fun once you get acclimatised.
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