Based on the Fixed Roof Coupe that had been introduced by Chevrolet in 1999, the 2001 Corvette Z06 was built to rival the horsepower and performance that had previously been boasted by the fourth-generation ZR1 Corvette from 1990–1995. The Z06 name was chosen to honor Zora Arkus-Duntov and the original “race-ready” Z06 package that he was instrumental in developing for the 1963 Corvette. Further paying homage to Duntov, Chevrolet engineers developed a new powerplant for the new Corvette flagship which carried the engine designation LS6 (which was the same engine designation given to Duntov’s famed 425 horsepower (gross) big-block V-8 that was originally offered, though only briefly, in 1971.)
