Z06 Corvette Gets Slapped With Gas-Guzzler Tax

The world has been chomping at the bit for the all-new, high-revving Z06 Corvette to finally hit the streets and wind up in the garages of mere mortals. As each bit of information filters out from within GM, we come one step closer to making the world’s newest supercar a reality. The latest news to flow out of the General is that its flagship Corvette, the Z06, will have the “Gas-Guzzler” tax imposed upon it.

A thread at Midenginecorvetteforum.com announced the recent findings. Although GM had been averse to incurring any gas-guzzler tax for any of its offerings in the not-so-distant past, the recent infusion of 600-plus horsepower engines has made sliding under that government-regulated bar more difficult.

That high wing and spats on the front spoiler do their job of keeping the ‘Vette planted at speed. They also contribute to the car’s increased overall drag coefficient, resulting in a higher tax. Keep in mind that you’ll bear the additional cost only once, but the smiles-per-gallon will go on for years.

As we understand it, a car’s fuel economy, according to the EPA, is primarily a function of the car’s weight and aerodynamic drag. The EPA tests all cars equally, and high-torque engines can help slide under the bar due to their lower RPM to achieve the desired driving scenarios. Smaller, higher-revving engines such as the flat-plane Z06 will need to spin faster and more cycles per cylinder means more fuel used.

Image: Midenginecorvetteforum.com

Factoring in aerodynamic drag becomes evident in the differences in tax according to which options were added to the Z-car. One of the most popular options for Z06 buyers is the Z07 Performance Package. The Z07 option is a fan favorite because it significantly elevates the Z06’s braking and handling performance with a list of motorsports-inspired goodies. Besides the larger Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, those who order the go-fast parts package also get a carbon fiber aero package, unique Magnetic Ride Control suspension calibrations, availability of carbon fiber wheels, and Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires.

They will also need to choose between RPO codes T0F or T0G, which denote the $8,495 Carbon Aero Package in Carbon Flash, or the $10,495 option if they prefer to see all that Visible Carbon Fiber goodness. No matter which aero option they choose, they’ll need to figure in an additional $3,000 as the price to pay for the car’s thirst for fuel. Buyers of the 2023 Z06 that don’t opt for the aero package get a bit of a reprieve but still are required to pay the piper with a $2,600 tax levied on their lesser-performing but equally awesome rides.

GM hasn’t officially released the fuel mileage for the Z06, but according to the tax numbers, we can surmise approximately how long the car will go between gas stops. The gas-guzzler tax comes into play when cars have a combined city and highway fuel economy rating under 22.5 mpg. The amount of tax levied is in relation to a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Therefore, we can surmise the approximate fuel mileage of the Z-car, as well as the additional downforce (friction) provided by the added aero packages.

This chart shows the amount of tax imposed according to the combined mileage of a vehicle subject to the tax. Interestingly, trucks, SUVs, and minivans are not considered for this tax. (Image: Wikipedia)

The tax imposed upon the aero-equipped Z06s ($3,000) is tallied for vehicles that get between 16.5 and 17.5 miles per gallon of fuel. The non-aero cars are assessed the $2,600 fee thanks to their reportedly 17.5 through 18.5 miles per gallon. For comparative purposes, the small-block LT2-equipped C8 Stingray Corvette is EPA-rated at 19 miles per gallon according to the regulatory commission’s testing cycle. That puts the payment for the base-model C8’s appetite for fuel at $2,100. As a one-time payment for the sins of their supercars, many may consider the Z06 Corvette gas-guzzler tax simply as the cost to do business. Others may look at this recent increase in their cars’ cost and decide when to cut bait at the dealer’s showroom floor. Either way, it’s easy to see how the cost of owning a Corvette has risen recently. Even so, it’s still a lot of car for the money!

About the author

Andy Bolig

Andy has been intrigued by mechanical things all of his life and enjoys tinkering with cars of all makes and ages. Finding value in style points, he can appreciate cars of all power and performance levels. Andy is an avid railfan and gets his “high” by flying radio-controlled model airplanes when time permits. He keeps his feet firmly grounded by working on his two street rods and his supercharged C4 Corvette. Whether planes, trains, motorcycles, or automobiles, Andy has immersed himself in a world driven by internal combustion.
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