Gโday, Mate! Hereโs the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition You Canโt Have
Chevy is making 12 cars to celebrate the Corvette Z06 GT3.Rโs entry in the famous endurance race.
Justin BannerWriterFeb 13, 2026
The Corvette has a long and storied 70-year motorsports history and has competed successfully in globally famous events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and many a production-based and GT racing series in between. But in all that time, one track and one very special race has been missing from its resumรฉ. Finally, though, 2026 marks the year that Chevy will take the Corvette Z06 GT3.R to Australiaโs vaunted Mount Panorama Circuit to tackle the Bathurst 12 Hour. To make things even more exciting for Corvette fans, the automaker is marking the occasion with a special-edition production model.
Hereโs the bad news, however: The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition will be ridiculously limited to just 12 examples and will be available only in Australia and New Zealand. To put it mildly, this is a huge gut punch for Corvette fans who are familiar with the famous endurance race and who respect the significance of the car competing in it.
How Itโs Equipped
As for the hardware, this special 2026 Corvette Z06 will be built on the 3LZ Coupe and include the Z07 Performance Package. It will be painted in Switchblade Silver; Carbon Flash covers the carbon-fiber ground effects and rear wing as well as the exterior badges, trim, and mirrors. The roof is finished with clear coat to show off the ultra-lightweight carbonโs weave pattern. To signify the racing connection, the โJakeโ C8.R graphics package adorns the hood and rear quarter panels.
Youโll also find an exclusive Bathurst 12 Hour decal that features an outline of the circuit. A set of 20-inch front and 21-inch rear Spider Black forged aluminum wheels cover blue brake calipers and are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires measuring 275/30 in front and 345/25 in back.
Inside, the limited Z06 features Jet Black and Santorini Blue Napa leather on the Competition Seats with blue seatbelts. The rest of the interior uses carbon-fiber and Stealth trim pieces with special Bathurst 12 Hour build plates on the inner door jambs individually marked 1 to 12. There will also be extras included with the sale of the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst Special Edition like a custom artwork print, a Corvette GT3.R printed indoor car cover, and a Corvette Racing merchandise pack.
What Makes Bathurst Special?
For people who might not be familiar with the track, Mount Panorama Circuit located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, is a special place for many racing fans thanks to its unique location. Most closed-course tracks incorporate natural rolling hills, and street circuits are primarily flat because most are located within city limits, but Mount Panorama is unique. Thatโs because itโs built on its namesake mountain, with tight walls and steep grades. The 571-foot climb and the speeds drivers see on the Conrod Straight are the circuitโs defining features and contribute to making the race such a wild event. And, yes, this is technically a street circuit as itโs a public road thatโs closed during the races that occur on it every year.
Chevrolet has not yet provided pricing or delivery date info, and itโs still finalizing some details about the car. But if you happen to live in Australia or New Zealand and youโre just now asking about getting your own 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition, youโre probably already too late.
Chevy Expands Its Legendary Racing Lineup with the Ultra-Exclusive 2026 Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition
For seven decades, the Chevrolet Corvette has established itself as a global icon in motorsports, achieving victories at legendary endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Yet, for all its illustrious history, one particular track and one highly significant race have remained absent from the Corvetteโs rรฉsumรฉ. This year, however, 2026 marks a historic milestone as Chevrolet prepares to enter the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in Australiaโs iconic Mount Panorama Circuit for the Bathurst 12 Hour.
To celebrate this significant achievement, Chevrolet is honoring the occasion with a limited-production special-edition model. However, there is significant news for Corvette enthusiasts who are familiar with the Bathurst 12 Hour and recognize the importance of this event. The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition will be available in extremely limited numbers, with only 12 examples slated for production, and will be exclusive to buyers in Australia and New Zealand.
In the world of high-performance automotive engineering and exclusive motorsports, timing is critical, and for those enthusiasts eager to secure one of these unique vehicles, it is likely they are already too late. Chevrolet has yet to release official pricing or delivery information, as the company is still finalizing certain specifications for this special model. However, the exclusivity and the significance of the event it represents make it highly desirable.
Performance and Design Enhancements: The Technical Details
To understand the significance of this special edition, it is essential to look at the technical specifications and the enhancements included in this exclusive Corvette Z06. This special model will be built on the premium 3LZ Coupe platform and will feature the track-focused Z07 Performance Package. This package includes aerodynamic enhancements and advanced braking systems, ensuring the car is equipped to handle high-performance driving conditions.
The exterior of the car will be painted in a striking Switchblade Silver finish. The carbon-fiber ground effects and rear wing will be complemented by Carbon Flash accents, which will also be applied to the exterior badges, trim pieces, and mirrors. To showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of the carbon fiber, the roof will feature a clear-coat finish that reveals the intricate weave pattern of the ultra-lightweight material.
As a tribute to the Corvette Z06 GT3.Rโs racing endeavors, the car will feature the iconic โJakeโ C8.R graphics package, adorning the hood and rear quarter panels. This graphic serves as a visual connection to Chevroletโs racing heritage and the specific Corvette model being campaigned at Bathurst. Additionally, a unique Bathurst 12 Hour decal will be included, featuring an outline of the Mount Panorama circuit.
To further enhance the vehicleโs performance credentials, a set of 20-inch front and 21-inch rear Spider Black forged aluminum wheels will be fitted. These wheels will house blue brake calipers and will be wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, measuring 275/30 in the front and 345/25 in the rear. These tires are known for their exceptional grip and handling capabilities, further solidifying the car’s high-performance credentials.
Inside, the limited-edition Z06 features a striking combination of Jet Black and Santorini Blue Napa leather on the Competition Seats, with contrasting blue seatbelts. The interior is further enhanced with carbon-fiber and Stealth trim pieces, exuding a premium and sporty aesthetic. The cockpit features special Bathurst 12 Hour build plates on the inner door jambs, individually marked from 1 to 12, commemorating the limited run of this special edition.
To further enhance the value of the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Bathurst Special Edition, each purchase will include additional exclusive items. These extras include a custom artwork print, a Corvette GT3.R printed indoor car cover, and a Corvette Racing merchandise pack. These unique items add significant value and exclusivity to the vehicle, making it a truly collectible piece for Corvette enthusiasts.
Understanding the Significance of Mount Panorama Circuit
For those who may not be familiar with the track, the Mount Panorama Circuit, located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, holds a special place in the hearts of many racing fans. It is renowned for its unique location and challenging characteristics. Unlike most closed-course tracks that incorporate natural rolling hills, or street circuits that are primarily flat due to their urban locations, Mount Panorama is distinctive. It is built on the slopes of its namesake mountain and features tight corners, steep inclines, and high-speed straights that demand precision and skill from drivers.
The climb up the mountain covers 571 feet, and the high speeds achieved on the famous Conrod Straight are defining features of the circuit, contributing to making the race such a thrilling and unpredictable event. Furthermore, the circuit is technically a street circuit, as it is a public road that is closed to the public during the races that take place each year. This dual nature of being both a permanent race track and a public road adds to its allure and mystique in the world of motorsport.
The Road Ahead for the Corvette Z06 at Bathurst
As Chevrolet prepares to enter the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the Bathurst 12 Hour, the automotive world is eagerly anticipating the results. The 2026 Corvette Z06 Bathurst 12 Hour Special Edition serves as a tribute to this historic moment and a testament to Chevroletโs commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and